#28 - Fortune - Expanded

oooooooooooooooooooooo

"I call."

Lee's gaze flicked over to Kara, wondering if she was bluffing or not. She was chewing her lip nervously, and that made Lee smile inwardly.

This was the worst game of triad she'd ever played to his knowledge. Even Hotdog had won several hands, and that was unheard of for the guy who had yet to learn the meaning of the phrase 'triad face'.

One by one they lay out their hands, and somewhat to his amazement Lee won again. He already had a hefty sized pile of winnings in front of him and was beginning to contemplate exactly what treasures he'd be able to glean with it.

"Well folks, it seems like we're winding down here," he said cockily, gathering his pile up. "You've all pretty much lost your shirts tonight. Even Starbuck doesn't have a thing left to bet with."

"Wanna bet?" she said belligerently, the familiar gleam in her eye that always spelled trouble for Lee.

"Holding out on us Starbuck?" Gaeta asked, quirking an eyebrow at her.

"I saved the best for last." She beamed proudly. "Deal up the cards Apollo. One last hand - winner takes all."

Gaeta and Hotdog both pushed their meagre piles in while Lee eyeballed his larger pile for a minute. He looked up at her.

"So, what's your ante?" he demanded.

"Me. Whoever wins gets me for the night."

Hotdog's eyes widened larger than Lee had ever seen them. Judging by the way the man began to wriggle in his seat, it wasn't the only part of him that was expanding.

Lee glanced at Gaeta surreptitiously. He acted nonchalant but there was a faint blush to his usual olive cheeks.

Lee himself felt a tightening in his groin at the thought. Maybe it was best for all concerned if 'for the night' was clarified. He didn't want anyone ending up in sickbay because of a misinterpretation - himself included.

"By 'for the night' you mean ..." he prompted.

"Me. All night. To do with what you will." Her eyes sparkled with glee. Typical Starbuck.

He pushed his substantial pile to the middle of the table. "I'm in," and was satisfied to note that she blushed and looked down as if embarrassed. Gods, I have to win now, please ...

The hand went slowly, teasingly by as the room seemed to heat up enormously. By the time the last card was dealt, all three men were virtually unable to sit still in their chairs.

"What have you got?" Lee asked Gaeta, to his left.

Gaeta spread his cards out, sighing in resignation as Hotdog grinned.

"Hotdog?"

He threw his cards down with a big smile. "Beat that!" he crowed triumphantly.

Kara laid her cards down next. Best hand she'd had all night. Hotdog's face fell.

"It's all up to you now Apollo. Can you beat my full house?" she boasted, sure of herself as a wide grin spread across her face, lighting up the entire room.

Lee's eyebrow raised. He kept a straight face though his heart was pounding in anticipation.

"Read 'em and weep Starbuck. Full colours." He laid his hand down and finally allowed himself to smile.

Kara made a big pretense of groaning as the other men began to tease her, but Lee had seen the telltale grin and sparkle of her eyes before she covered her face with her hands - she'd wanted him to win.

It was always fun winning at cards against Starbuck, but the day she threw herself in as the ante was the day he knew he'd be reaping an immeasurable fortune.

fin