#25 - Shadow - Expanded
oooooooooooooooo
Lee lay quietly in the dark, listening to Kara's breathing deepen and even out. The sweat from their recent lovemaking slid down his temples and splashed on the pillow, but holding her tightly in his arms was much more important than wiping the beads of remembrance away.
It had taken him a long time to get her to trust him - a long time - she'd been close back that first year before he'd screwed up so royally on Colonial Night, but ever since she returned from Caprica, they'd grown further and further apart until the chasm had been too great to bridge.
It had taken their mutual grief - the death of his father - to bring them together again. His sudden heart attack had taken everyone by surprise.
Dee hadn't understood how his father's loss could cut him so deeply, as all Lee had seemed to want was to prove he didn't need his father while he was still alive.
Kara had had no one to share her grief with. Sam had perished much earlier during the cylon occupation, and at the funeral it was plain as day to Lee that she needed someone. The loss of the only father-figure she'd ever known hit her harder than she ever could have imagined, and she was a wreck.
So Lee and Kara clung to each other, the only two who really understood what they were going through, needing and drawing support and love from each other in their loss. Somewhere along the line, hitting them both unawares, they realized there was more to it than just sympathy and comfort. And though they'd both fought it before, they now embraced it whole-heartedly. They were family; they belonged together.
Lee blinked a few times, positive he must be dreaming as he saw a vision of light at the end of his bed.
It was Zack.
Lee coloured slightly - he hadn't thought much lately of the fact that the love of his life had also been his brother's.
Zack was smiling. Then he began to speak quietly. She's one in a million Lee. Take good care of her for me.
"I will little brother," Lee promised softly. "I will."
fin