Note: It's been a busy day today, so I apologize for the short chapter. I'll make it up later, I promise!

Chapter Five

Lee was pacing in front of his desk in his quarters, trying to figure out what he was going to say.

"So, Dee," he said to an empty chair in front of him, "I'm not so sure this is going to work out."

He winced as the words came out. "Too cliché," he mumbled.

He stopped pacing to sit on the edge of his desk. Once again he addressed the empty chair. "Dee, where do you feel our relationship is headed?"

"Dammit, Lee," he cursed under his breath. "If she tells you she thinks everything's great--- THEN what are you going to say?"

Just then, he heard a knock. Lee stood up and looked at the door.

I guess we'll soon find out what I'm going to say, he thought as he took a deep breath. He walked over to the door and opened it.

Dee was always thrilled to see him, and today was no exception. She breezed in and waited until he closed the door before throwing her arms around his neck.

"Hey sexy," she murmured as she moved closer to him. "I'm so glad you called me over. I didn't think we would see each other again for at least a week." As she placed her lips on his, it only took about a second for her to realize that something was different. She broke off the kiss and looked up at him, concerned. Lee gave her a small smile before motioning for her to sit down. She didn't.

"What's wrong?"

Frak, Lee thought, this is going to be MUCH more difficult than I thought. He thought he might be able to ease into the conversation, but obviously, he wasn't very good at hiding his feelings.

"Don't you want to sit?" he said.

"No," she replied softly, "I want you to tell me what's going on."

He took her hand and held it with both of his. He spoke slowly. "Dee. I don't know exactly how to tell you this----"

She took her hand away and backed up a couple of steps. "You're breaking up with me."

Lee wasn't sure what to say. Yes, as a matter of fact I am, seemed like a bad choice at the moment.

She turned away from him and quietly asked, "So, what happened?"

That question threw Lee for a loop. He wasn't sure he was prepared to tell her everything.

"I'm not sure what you mean," he said slowly.

Dee sensed his hesitation and turned back to face him. "I could be wrong, but I got the impression the last time we met that everything was fine--- actually better than fine. Something must've happened."

Lee looked down. All of a sudden he couldn't really face her. "I just... I just decided that I wasn't ready---" He stopped. He couldn't tell her that he wasn't ready for a commitment, and then have her find out days later that he was seeing Kara. He walked over to her and sat her down on the couch. Once again, he took her hand in his and looked in her eyes.

"There's someone else."

"Starbuck," she said immediately. She stood up and walked across the room. Neither of them said anything for what seemed like an eternity, but was probably only about thirty seconds. Lee wished he could see her face, but she didn't turn around.

Finally, she said very quietly, "You know, I knew it--- I just didn't want to admit it. I thought you two would've hooked up a lot earlier if you were interested in each other. Stupid, huh?"

Lee couldn't say anything. This wasn't happening at all like he thought it would. He thought he would tell Dee he couldn't see her anymore. She would get upset, cry, yell, maybe hit him, and then leave. None of that had happened.

Then, Dee's body language changed. She stiffened and turned to face Lee. Her face was very serious. "So. What made you realize NOW that you want to be with her?"

Lee knew he owed it to her to tell her the truth, but he just couldn't bring himself to hurt her that way. Turns out, he didn't have to say a word.

"You SLEPT with her, didn't you."

It was more of a statement than a question. But Lee thought it was amazing how she managed to say it without yelling at him. "You son of a bitch. How long has this been going on?"

Lee stood up. "It's not like that. She came here last night, really upset." He moved to where she was. "Dee. This wasn't planned. It just happened."

All of a sudden, Dee slapped him across the face. "That wasn't planned either. Still hurts, doesn't it?" She walked out of the room.

Lee sat down. Well, he thought. I guess it ended the way I thought it would.

He hoped Kara's conversation with Sam would go better.