WHTMT - chapter 6

oooooooooooooooo

The next month seemingly flew by and though in some ways it seemed like life hadn't changed since the day they'd arrived, in some ways it was completely different.

As far as creature comforts went, they were still exceptionally poor. They had a tent, a bed, some blankets, a firepit and a few utensils, and aside from a few other sundry items, that was it. But Kara couldn't really complain - even those who'd been there longer than they had, had no more than that.

As far as community camaraderie, the wealth in that was immeasurable. Of the thirty-some thousand people who'd moved to the planet, definite communities had formed. That's not to say that everyone wasn't pleasant and helpful to one another, but after eight months trapped together on their ships, definite ties had been formed. That was even truer for Galactica's former crew, many of whom had been serving together for three or more years. It was the same with Anders' crew - most of them were teammates who'd been together for several years.

So it was only natural for groups to form their own cliques, Galactica's ex-crew and the former C-bucks joining forces thanks to the union between Kara and Samuel. It was a nice, family-type atmosphere, Kara thought, not that Galactica hadn't been, but this was a considerably smaller subset of the entire crew, and because life was much harsher, they needed each other all the more.

Sam was really happy. Life on Galactica had been tolerable, for Kara's sake, but he really hadn't liked it and couldn't understand why people would choose to stay there when they had the option of settling on the planet. This - was much more his style. There was no demand for professional pyramid players here, but Sam had found plenty of work helping to build some of the common buildings - the outhouses, mess tent (which needed to be sturdier than the smaller 'home' tents), and digging wells for a permanent water supply. He'd become quite a fixture in the short while he'd been here, and the wasn't a soul who knew him that didn't like him. In his spare time, he and his buddies played amateur pyramid with anyone who was interested in the makeshift court they'd set up in the village square. Occasionally Kara even joined in, but her old knee injury and more recent cylon-inflicted injuries often prevented her from playing long.

She didn't mind though, as she had plenty to do as well. There was work aplenty in beginning a whole new society from scratch, and everyone was trying to fit in wherever their talents lay. Kara wasn't much of a 'child' person, so she volunteered to work as a farmhand, their delta on the river being wonderfully fertile land. They'd managed to preserve many crops on one of the food-supply ships, and fortunately had a substantial supply of seeds ready for sowing.

Life was hard though, nonetheless - the weather was often uncooperative, but the sense of adventure was everywhere, and people's spirits were generally high.

ooooooooooooooooo

Adama sighed as his eyes followed his son, pacing across the room aimlessly. He'd known, almost from day one, that there was something between Lee and Kara - something special, but yet something both of them tried so hard to deny the existence of. Many people thought it was physical - countless rumours had spread in the eight months they'd served together, but Adama knew it ran much deeper than that. It had been tested when Kara married Sam, but had still appeared to hold strong. Or maybe that was just an appearance Lee wanted to keep up. He'd seemed to be fine with it, continuing his apparently clandestine relationship with Dualla, but as Kara'd been on Galactica and Lee had been on Pegasus, it had been difficult to witness their relationship first-hand. Lee's demeanor certainly gave it away now though. As had his reaction when he'd been told about Kara's resignation and plans to move to the planet.

"She's what?" Lee bellowed, losing all control of his emotions.

"We have to respect her decision," Adama said quietly, knowing how hard this must be for him. Lee and Kara were as close as any two people he'd ever known, and her leaving like this must feel like a knife if his back.

"She has no idea what she's doing!" Lee cried out angrily at his father. "You can refuse her, can't you? We need Starbuck here - she's our good luck charm."

Adama took a deep breath. "In case you'd forgotten, the cylons let us go. They have no quarrel with us - what do we need luck for if we've got no battles to fight?"

Lee didn't answer so Adama ploughed on.

"Kara knows exactly what she's doing. She's following her heart, just like she always has. It's what makes her special."

"But we need her. I need her," he added in a whisper.

"She's made her decision. She needs to be wherever her husband is, and he doesn't belong here."

"I can understand she wants to be with the person she loves," Lee began, flushing as he thought of her, not Dee, wondering why he was with her if he didn't love her, "but she left, without even saying goodbye." His voice died off towards the end, till he was barely mouthing the words.

Adama flinched at the pain, so nakedly revealed in his son's eyes. He'd been right - it was more than physical - it was love. He moved forward and put a comforting hand on Lee's shoulder.

"Perhaps she was afraid to say goodbye to you." Lee's face turned up in disbelief and Adama knew exactly what he was thinking - 'Starbuck afraid of anything? Ha!' "Maybe if she had to face you, she wouldn't have been able to go through with it"

Lee's eyes filled with tears. "Do you really think so?" he asked softly.

"I know so," he answered immediately. "Try not to be angry with her."

"I'll try," Lee had said, but the look in his eyes had belief that. That had been the moment Lee had lost his spark. He'd continued on as any dutiful soldier would, but the life and spirit had gone from him.

"How are things?" Adama asked him.

"Fine," Lee answered, not really paying attention. Everything he looked at reminded him of her. Even just being with his father reminded him of her - so many times the two of them had stood before him, hoping their combined presence would sway him into agreeing with their request, especially if it was an outrageous one. Which is usually was, knowing Starbuck, Lee thought.

"How is Dee doing? Has she adjusted well to Pegasus?"

"She's fine. As well as can be expected." He looked his father straight in the eye. "It's a lot different there."

"I know. I know it's hard for you, but I need people I can trust there."

"I understand," Lee replied dully.

"Are you two still ... involved?" Adama asked carefully.

Lee nodded. Adama noticed his lack of enthusiasm, however. They're almost like an old married couple, he thought sadly. Only together because they don't have anyone else. He sighed internally. If only Lee wasn't so damn in love with Kara ...

Adama collected himself and forced a businesslike demeanor. "I called you here so we could discuss defensive strategies."

"Defensive strategies? I thought we weren't at war anymore."

"That's what the cylons want us to believe. I'm choosing not to believe them anymore."

"Why now? I mean, you've been listening to Sharon for months and following her advice, why start being distrustful now?"

"I trusted her because we were her best chance for survival. I know she wasn't completely honest with me, but she did help us out in a few life or death situations."

"So, why now?"

"Because I have trouble believing that the cylons could have a change of heart so easily. Pardon the expression - it's not like they have hearts. A year ago, they all but annihilated us and seemed bent on the destruction of every human, and suddenly they've changed their tune. Frankly. I don't trust them."

"What makes you think they're going to turn on us again?" Lee asked.

"Just a gut feeling. And I've ignored gut feelings that turned out to be right too many times to allow it to happen again. Three quarters of our people are on that planet - sitting ducks - and I won't allow them to be slaughtered. Not on my watch," he added grimly.

Lee sat down opposite him and pulled the plans his father had drawn up towards him. "So what do we do?"

ooooooooooooooooooooo

Sam had been watching her narrowly all evening. When he'd arrived back at their tent, she's been acting strange, and it hadn't let up since then. She seemed skittish ... afraid ... unwilling to talk to him, beyond one or two word answers. That was highly unusual for her. The banter he'd loved and fallen in love with, was almost omnipresent now - they teased and flirted with each other constantly, much to the disbelief of those who knew them well and assumed that playfulness would disappear with time.

Well tonight it was decidedly absent, and Sam, being a forthright, open kind of guy, had no hesitation in confronting her on it.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, no of course not." She looked over at him and smiled brightly, but it dropped away as soon as her gaze went elsewhere.

"There's something wrong." This time it wasn't a question.

"Really, everything's fine."

His voice took on a harsh quality - one she'd never heard before. "Don't lie to me Kara. I know you better than that." A pause. "Tell me what's wrong."

Her heart began to pound and her palms grew sweaty. Sam stood up and walked over to her, gently lifting her chin with a finger so she was looking straight up at him. "Kara ..."

"I'm late," she blurted out. His brow furrowed in confusion. "My period. It's over a week late." She watched the change in his face as the knowledge dawned on him.

"You mean ... you're pregnant?" There was a hopeful tone to his voice now.

"I don't know. I suppose it's possible - but I thought ... at the farm ... they took out ..." She stopped, unable to continue as tears flooded her eyes.

Sam took her in his arms and held her tightly, chin resting on top of her head.

"I didn't think I could have children," she whispered into his chest.

"What if you can?" he asked softly. "What if you are ... if we are?"

She pulled away to look up at him, and he was shocked at how young and vulnerable she looked - nothing like the strong-willed unbeatable woman he was used to.

"I never used to want to have children, ever. Until I didn't think I could," she whispered. "Until I met you."

Sam pulled her close again. "We'll find the doc tomorrow and get him to test you so we know for sure."

"And if we are ...?"

"Then we'll thank any and every god in existence for our miracle child."

TBC