Disclaimer: I certainly don't own anything related to Battlestar Galactica. If I did I certainly would not be making you fine people wait until October for the next episode. If I sound bitter I am.
Chapter 8
"Crap," Kara muttered under her breath, as she made her way to answer the ringing phone. She had just laid a very crabby Leah down for a nap, and if the ringing phone woke her, the person on the other end would have more than just a crying baby to deal with. Not to mention Kara herself was exhausted and had planned on napping as well.
"This had better be frakkin' important." Kara said into the phone.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you how to answer a phone," came the snippy reply.
"Yeah, I just demonstrated it for you, what do you want Lee?" She replied impatiently not even needing the caller to identify himself.
"I need you to come to my office, there are some things I need to discuss with you, and yes it is important, and yes this is an order, Lieutenant," he said sharply.
"No."
"What did you say?"
She almost laughed into the phone at the shocked sound in his voice. She thought he had known her long enough to not be surprised by anything she said.
"You heard me," she paused for a moment, but did not give him time to respond. "Just kidding Lee."
He did not laugh.
"I can come, but I just put Leah down for a nap and she's really crabby, so she will probably be screaming her head off the entire time you are trying to tell me this important news, but just give me a moment and I will be right there."
She heard him let out a long sigh. "No don't wake her up. I'll come there," he did not wait for her response; she just heard the click of the phone.
He was annoyed. She knew that, she couldn't help the feeling of pleasure it gave her. She hadn't gotten under Lee's skin in awhile, and it sure felt good. Yeah she had totally pissed him off two weeks ago when he found out about her daughter, but this was different. This was fun; it was how things were supposed to be with them.
After her confrontation with Lee on the hangar deck things had gotten back to normal for Kara. Well, as normal as it could be with a one year old in your life. Kara had returned to her normal duties, finding babysitters, from a host of different sources. Kara was trying hard to prove to everyone she could do this. Sometimes going without sleep to be able to do her shifts and spend time with her daughter. Leah seemed to be doing well with her mother. She smiled and laughed frequently which Kara took as a good sign. Kara found herself smiling more as well.
He had not seen Kara other than in briefings for the last two weeks. He wasn't really mad at her anymore, just disappointed. His dad had asked him to do this today, or he probably still would not have made the effort to speak with her.
Talking to her on the phone had only reminded him more of how she drove him crazy, and he was probably better off without her anyway. Kara had been his friend his best friend when he had came aboard Galactica. Together they had made it through some tough times together, but now he had Dee, and Kara had her daughter. From now on he and Kara would have a working relationship and that was it. It was all she deserved, and probably all she wanted. Lee didn't take the time to even consider what he wanted.
It was thirty minutes before he was able to go to meet her. Lee remembered that her kid was sleeping, so he didn't even bother knocking on the hatch to her quarters, he just let himself in. He found her curled up on her couch sound asleep. The fact that the opening of the door had not even woke her up, let him know how exhausted Kara was.
He then remembered he had scheduled her the night previously for a late shift of Cap. Then her replacement had gotten sick, so she was forced to do a double. He figured she had probably been up with the little girl since morning and gone without sleep for possibly the last 24hours.
He went to wake her, but something about the way she was curled up and sleeping so peacefully held him back. Instead he took a seat in the chair that was at the desk in the little room. He had some time; he would let her sleep awhile longer. She would probably awaken soon enough.
He found himself looking around the little room. It wasn't great quarters, but somehow Kara had found away to make it look homey. He noticed a few watercolors done on paper hanging up around the room. There was a rug with some blocks scattered around on the floor. He had never thought of Kara as the motherly type, but maybe she could make this work.
It wasn't long until he too was sound asleep.
Kara woke up from her little nap to the sound of giggles and loud snoring. She sat up quickly realizing that she had fallen asleep while she had been waiting for Lee. She looked around for the source of the giggles, and was quite amazed at what she saw.
There sitting at the desk in the middle of her room was Lee. The funny thing was he was sound asleep, mouth gaping open, snoring loudly. Sitting on the top of the desk starring at him was Leah. For some reason she found the man snoring with his mouth gaping open to be a funny thing. Kara quite agreed with the assessment.
"Well Leah, it looks like we have an intruder," Kara said to her daughter.
"Mama!" Leah squealed, delighted to find her mother awake.
The squeal a mere foot away from his head was enough to awake the Major from his sleep. "What the…" He said jumping up out of the seat.
"Did you enjoy your nap Major?" Kara asked loving every minute of this.
"I wasn't sleeping, you were the one asleep," said a bewildered looking Lee.
"Wipe the drool from your chin Lee, you were asleep," she said with a grin.
"Go comb your hair Kara, so were you." He said starring at her case of bed head.
She self consciously brought a hand to her hair and felt it sticking out in several different directions. "Fine, we were both sleeping," she replied smoothing down her hair.
"So," she began looking down at her watch. "Two hours ago you said you had something important to tell me."
She noticed he was starring intently at the little blonde that sat in front of him. Kara remembered he hadn't really ever seen her up close before. When Leah waved at him and said "Hi" Kara almost busted out laughing.
"Don't you know it's rude to stare at someone and not say anything?" Kara asked.
"Um, Hi." Lee replied to the little girl who was in the process of standing up on the desk.
"Oh Lee hurry catch her!" Kara yelled right as Leah hurled herself off the desk and at Lee.
He caught her right before she smacked the floor. "God's Kara, does your child have a death wish already after just living with you a few weeks?" Lee quipped setting the squirming child on the ground.
"Ha, Ha, No! Helo plays airplane with her. I guess she just thought you would be smart enough to play along as well," Kara shot back.
"So dad tells me you aren't even sure who the father is," he threw at her.
She was surprised at the statement, but more surprised that the commander and Lee had been talking about her.
"I guess if that's what he told you it must be true. That shouldn't surprise you though Lee, you already know I can't keep my pants up," she replied quietly, trying to ward of the feelings of hurt and anger.
"What did you want Lee?" She asked the now quiet officer.
"The commander wanted me to let you know you have been promoted." He said reaching into his pocket and producing a small black box.
"You are the new CAG of Galactica."
"What about you?" Kara asked.
"I have other duties now that take up my time; I will be over the air groups of both Battlestars."
"I don't want it." She interrupted.
"What?"
"I don't want it find someone else." She said firmly.
"Kara, come on, don't be difficult."
"Have Kat do it."
"She is not up to the job Kara and you know it. You are the only one suited for the job," he said frustration showing on his face.
"I don't want the extra work. I barely have enough time with her now." Kara said pointing at her daughter who was busy trying to unsuccessfully build a tower with her blocks.
"So that's it, now that you're a mommy your duties here can go to hell!" Lee said not even trying to hide is anger.
"Frak you Lee, I have been doing my job, I just don't want the added work, and I am well within my right to not take the job."
"I told him you wouldn't do this if I asked you!"
"You're right; I would have if he would have asked me." Kara shouted back, not really knowing why she was shouting.
It did not take Leah long to realize her mother was upset, and soon she was crying reaching to be picked up. "Shh Leah, stop crying, I'm just mad at the ignorant Major," Kara replied picking up the crying child.
"I offer you a promotion, and I am ignorant! Kara, I have somewhere to be, so as much fun as this is I don't have time to argue with you all night. We need you Kara. If there was someone else, anyone else I would gladly ask them. I will share some of the responsibilities with you so you can spend more time at home. Please just think about it." He said suddenly looking even more tired.
She watched as he shut the hatch behind him. He needed her, the fleet needed her. She had never let them down before, she couldn't now. She ran to the door and threw it open. She saw his back as he was turning the corner. "LEE…" she called out.
"Yeah?" He replied sticking his head back around the corner.
"Fine I'll do it."
"I'll let the commander know." He replied, and with that he was gone.
One week later Kara finally broke down and allowed Eve and Mark to see Leah again. Finding sitters she could trust was proving harder and harder. Eve had written Kara begging her to let the have at least a small part in Leah's life, she had apologized for hurting Kara and betraying her trust.
Kara agreed to let Eve watch Leah two days a week while she was on duty. Eve offered to keep her during every shift, but Kara was afraid that it would be to confusing for Leah. So she continued to have different nuggets, and deck hands to help with the child care. Leah was genuinely happy to see Eve and Mark, but was more than ready to go back with her mother when Kara came to pick her up.
One afternoon, Kara decided to head to the weight room for a little work out before she went to pick up Leah. When she entered there were a group of people circling the boxing ring. Kara nudged her way into the crowd to see who they were all watching so intently.
Lee was in the center of the ring paired against one of the new nuggets. The nugget was a well muscled young man, but didn't have much of a feel for boxing, and spent most of the bout on the mat. The crowd, obviously bored, with nothing better to do, cheered each of them on.
"Why don't you take on someone who can fight back Adama?" Kara found herself shouting.
Lee didn't even appear the least bit winded, as he removed the gloves. He had not even worked up a sweat. The poor boy on the floor's sides were heaving, and it appeared he had just gotten out of the shower.
"Is that a challenge Starbuck?" someone in the group called out.
Lee came over to the side of the ring and looked directly at her waiting for her answer.
"That's up to the Major, I think I may be more than he can handle." She said tauntingly, giving Lee a slow grin.
"Some one get her some gear," he ordered. "Thrace, get your butt up here," he said parting the ropes for her to enter.
"My money's on Starbuck!" she heard behind her. She turned and grinned at the site of money quickly changing hands, as they all placed bet's on who they thought would win, oh how little entertainment they have.
Lee walked to the opposite corner, and before donning his gloves stripped of his military issue tanks. Kara heard the oh's and ah's from the females in the crowd, and only let herself stare at his well muscled body for a brief moment, before stripping off her own tank leaving only her black sport's bra. This brought a round of cheers from all the men present.
"Here Kara." Helo said handing her gloves and head gear. "Okay people listen up." He said taking it upon himself to officiate the whole affair. "Three rounds 3 minutes each. Matt you keep the time."
"Alright you two," he said looking from Kara to Lee, "Remember that you are both ranking officers as you beat the crap out of each other. Now touch gloves and let's have a clean fight."
Kara loved to box. Kickboxing had been one of her hobbies growing up. She had learned it as a way to take her frustrations out on something, and eventually it had proved useful in warding off her mother's drunken attacks.
She was out of practice, and not nearly as strong as Lee, but she still had her speed, and quick reflexes. She was confident she could go three rounds with him.
The first round began slowly, they danced around each other, both waiting for the other to make the first move, Kara threw a few jabs that only connected with Lee's gloves. He returned the blows, but she quickly ducked out of the way.
Kara soon found if she waited for him to throw the first punch she was quick enough to dodge the hit, and throw and land a few of her own before his defenses were back up. By the end of the first round, Kara was virtually untouched and Lee's lip was already looking very puffy. Round one to Kara.
Round two began with the men mocking Lee for losing the round to a girl. Lee came out with a little more fire than the first round. Several of his jabs found their way to the side of Kara's head gear. Kara hated to be hit. The blows only made her fight harder. She managed to land a right hook that opened up the swollen area on Lee's lip, she couldn't help but smile at the trickle of blood she had caused.
Her pleasure was short lived when she danced the wrong way, and her eye connected with Lee's glove. The eye didn't split, but the pain shot through her like a bullet, and it began to swell almost immediately. Round two Lee.
Kara came out swinging in the third round. She was tired and so was Lee. She was landing more punches than him, but because of the weight advantage hers were not nearly as effective.
They were in the closing seconds of the bout when Lee caught her with a punch smack dab in the center of her stomach. Kara felt the wind leave her in a loud whoosh, and the force of it dropped her to her knees. As she sat there gulping at the air. Lee had the nerve to come stand over her and ask her if she was alright.
"Frak Yeah," she mumbled, drawing her arm back and putting all her strength into that last blow, the one that connected solidly with Lee's groin. He dropped to the matt with a loud thump.
"Kara you (#&$(#47()&#($R" he mumbled the stream of explicits all the while holding his manly parts.
Kara who was also still laying on the mat trying to catch her breath called out to him, much to the delight of the crowd. "So Major was it good for you?" The room erupted in laughter.
"Kara you cheated, that was a low blow." He said taking slow deep breaths.
"Ah poor Lee, I'll try to remember to feel sorry for you tomorrow when I can't see through my frakkin eye!" She replied rising to her feet.
"I think you just ruined any chance of me reproducing." He said still holding himself.
She stood over him for a moment before responding. "Good, you would make a lousy father."
"Alright everyone, first one on their feet wins. Spread it around the fleet. Kara Thrace beat the crap out of Lee Adama." She said holding her hands up over her head.
Lee was not about to let her get the best of him. While she was giving her little victory speech, he reached a hand up and before she new what was happening had her gym shorts at her feet. If the crowd had been wild before they were manic now. Laughing and cheering. Kara dropped to the ground and a wrestling match soon was underway over possession of the shorts.
Much to the dismay of the crowd, Helo intervened and separated the feuding couple, helping Kara right her lost clothing. "Okay, how about we call it a draw, and will schedule a rematch at a later date."
"I'll take him on any day of the week." Kara said with a grin.
"You're on." He said not matching her smile, but she could tell he was looking forward to it.
Later that evening after Kara had put Leah to bed, she still had a buzz going from her bout with Lee. She decided to go to officer's quarters and see if there were any card games going on.
She wasn't disappointed. She won several hands and soon they were already whining for her to leave. She had managed to win a pair of sun glasses off of Racetrack. Sunglasses were pretty much worthless in space, so it was pretty silly of Racetrack to hold on to them so, but they came in handy for Kara tonight. The glare from the lights were killing her injured eye, and the glasses helped correct that problem.
"I see you have recovered quite nicely from our little contest Captain," came that familiar voice from the other side of the room.
"Yes, I'm feeling great Major, you don't look so hot yourself." She said looking at his swollen and bruised lip. "Are you walking with a limp?"
"Very funny, and yeah they still hurt, no thanks to you."
"Ah Lee, do you want me to kiss it and make it better," she teased using her best mommy voice.
"Yeah you'd like that wouldn't you Captain?" He said joining in on her banter.
"In your dreams, sir, in your dreams."
"Would you two knock it off, or take it back into the ring, or the bunkroom for that matter." A very drunk Kat cut in.
Kara could feel the heat growing in her cheeks, she had flirted with Lee a lot in the past, but not recently, and not usually in front of others.
"Your drunk Kat, why don't you go lay down before you hurt yourself." Lee said sharply.
"Fine, I am sick of giving her my money anyway." She said stumbling from the table. Lee took the place she vacated directly across from Kara.
"Okay, deal me in." he said looking at Kara with a smile.
She couldn't help but thinking how twisted they both were if beating the crap out of each other could heal their friendship.
"Where's your daughter Kara?" Lee asked as Hotdog dealt the cards.
"Sleeping." She replied studying the cards in her hand.
"So you think I would be a lousy father, and you leave your kid alone sleeping so you can play cards."
"She has a sitter frakhead, mind your own business." Kara mumbled still not looking up.
What caused her to finally stray her attention from her cards was the sound of Hotdog choking on his beer.
"Are you okay, Hot dog?" Kara asked impatiently.
"You just..you just", he was laughing so hard he couldn't get it out. "You just called the major frakhead." He said laughing even harder.
"No I didn't." Kara said quickly.
"I know.." he began again but was quickly cut off.
"You must be really drunk too, you are hearing things." Kara said and smiled sweetly at Lee.
"Your turn, Major."
They played a few hands before the game was interrupted by Cally bringing Leah to Kara. "Sir, she woke up and wants a cup of milk, but your can of powder is empty. I tried giving her water, but she won't take it." Cally said helplessly.
"That's okay Cally, thanks for trying come here Leah." Kara said taking her on her lap. "Were out of milk, so you'll just have to deal with it, now be good while Mama finishes this hand." Kara had full colors and wanted to play win this last hand, for the pot had gotten full.
Leah sat still for exactly two minutes, before throwing her cup of water across the room and pitching a huge fit. "You want to scream, fine you can do it in the floor." Kara said sitting the screaming girl in the floor. This only caused the tantrum to escalade.
"Man you can tell whose kid she is." Someone yelled from across the room.
"Shut up." Kara yelled back. "Come on Hotdog play your hand and lets finish this round."
Kara was so intent on the game she missed Lee slipping out of his chair to go and stand over the screaming little girl.
He reached down and tapped her on the forehead. Not hard enough to hurt, but hard enough to get her attention. "Hey" he whispered.
She slowed the sobs, and stopped the kicking to look at the man standing above her.
"Do you want me to get you some milk?" He asked.
She slowly nodded her tousled blonde head. "Then you have to stop crying okay?" She nodded again.
He reached down and took her little hand in his and pulled her to her feet. "Come on Kara, we are going to go get your daughter some milk."
"Wait a minute Lee." She said still intent on the game.
He reached down and grabbed her cards out of her hand and threw them on the discard deck. "Kara folds guys, come on Kara."
"Lee, I had full colors, I was about to win." She whined.
"I think you have won enough today Kara, lets go see if a Captain and a Major can efficiently break into the mess hall."
"Fine you two," she said looking at her daughter who was still holding tightly to her daddy's hand. "Let's go."
AN: Sorry, another busy week took me awhile to get this written. I have also been in shock since the season finale and it took me awhile to get back to writing this, for some reason everything not related to that episode seemed pointless for awhile. Sorry it's late and I am rambling. Please don't think Kara is a bad mom for letting Leah pitch a fit, wasn't meant to read like that. No Lee hasn't figured out Leah is his yet, sometimes certain men can be a little slow at catching on. It will happen soon enough. Thanks so much everyone for reading!