WHTMT - chapter 12

oooooooooooooooo

"I'd like a transfer back to Galactica sir," Dee asked meekly, hands clasped behind her back.

Adama's eyebrow lifted in surprise. "May I ask why?"

A myriad of emotions flitted across her face. Adama had always found her easy to read and now was no exception. Sadness was the foremost emotion visible, though she was obviously trying to hide it.

"It's Lee sir," she answered finally, garnering the courage to speak honestly. "He's become very ... difficult to work with."

"I see. In what way?"

Dee's insides were in turmoil. She didn't want to tell him about their personal relationship, or lack thereof, but she also didn't want to get him into trouble professionally. She knew how much Adama was counting on Lee to keep things in line on the Beast. It seemed to be a tough job, given the success rate of the previous Commanders, and she knew he was proud of his son for holding his own in such a hostile environment.

"He's becoming ... different. Much harder on the crew. Snippy - not as nice to people." She tried to make it as gentle as she could.

"A Commander isn't there to be liked Lieutenant. He gives orders and those under him obey. If they don't, well, sometimes he has to get unpleasant. I've done it on several occasions myself." He took off his glasses and set them down on his desk, giving her a fatherly smile. "I'm sure it feels nasty but once his crew comes in line properly ..."

"They are sir," she interrupted. "That's the problem. Everyone's doing well but yet he's riding them way too hard. Nitpicking every little detail. I think ... I think he's doing it for personal reasons."

"What sort of personal reasons?"

"I don't know sir," she answered forlornly. "He won't share them with me."

Adama's eyebrow raised again. He knew about the relationship between the two - always had. No one kept secrets on his ship and he'd known exactly when things had begun and why she'd asked to transfer to Pegasus months earlier. Obviously things weren't going well between them though. Her sadness broadcast that loud and clear. If it really was only professional, she might be angry or irritated with him. Nothing more.

"I see," he repeated. "Well, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do for you Lieutenant. We're all spread thinner than we should be and if I allow you to come back, Lee will have no XO. Not to mention people will start getting ideas, and begin asking for their own transfers. That can't be allowed, so I can't grant you any special treatment, no matter how much I want to. Everyone is fitting into their roles nicely, and we're nearly ready for the execution of our plan." At Dee's sad and frustrated look, he sighed. "I'll talk to him. See if I can figure out what's bothering him and straighten him out a little." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. It was the right thing to do."

She smiled weakly. "Yes sir," and left his office.

Adama sat down in his chair, two fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. He had a feeling the upcoming conversation wasn't going to be pleasant.

ooooooooooooooooooo

Things were going well for the resistance. For every man they lost, close to ten centurions were being taken out as well. It bolstered everyone's courage to see the positive effect they were having, and new people were arriving at base camp to join the fight every day. Kara and Roslin could barely keep up with enlisting them and the Chief was working night and day to find and make enough weapons for everyone. His work tent was surrounded by a heavy guard detail, as was the base tent - strengthened in numbers since the new cylon threat against Kara's life was revealed. She was the heart and soul of the resistance, as most former Galacticans knew she would be, and she would gladly have given her life many times over to take out as many of the bastards as she could, but for the other life that was her utmost responsibility to protect. She was beginning to feel slight fluttery movements inside, which warmed her otherwise chilled soul. The cold season had come upon them in barely a couple of weeks, unlike the Caprican seasons they'd been used to, which took a month or more to change. That, and it had never gotten this cold there.

Which was also the cause of yet another problem. Sickness. Many people were coming down with bad chest colds, like Sam had had in the beginning, and it was beginning to worry Doc Cottle as several of them had already progressed to severe bronchitis. Kara herself was beginning to feel an uneasy tickle in her chest but she steadfastly ignored it. She had work to do. Lying in bed was not an option.

"We're going to need a specialized group to take out the President and the skinjobs with him in his office." Kara began.

Roslin gave her the trademark 'Laura' look.

"He's obviously a collaborator - he meets with them almost every day. How could they have gotten as far as they did without his help?" she pointed out.

"I always suspected he was, but I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt," Roslin said softly.

"Well doubt no more," Kara said firmly, looking her straight in the eye. "Gaius Baltar is out to serve one person, and one alone - himself. This must be benefitting him in some way or he wouldn't be going along with it."

Roslin nodded resolutely. "What do you have in mind?"

Kara outlined her plan. It was the riskiest yet. "So you see why we need good people?" she finished.

"It's brilliant, but incredibly dangerous. Do you think anyone will volunteer?"

Kara nodded enthusiastically. "These people are willing to die for their freedom , and I don't blame them one single bit. I'd rather die than be held as a cylon slave, wouldn't you?"

"Absolutely." Roslin grinned. Then her smile faded. "Do you have anyone in mind to be the bait?"

"Myself."

ooooooooooooooooo

"You wanted to see me?" Lee asked his father politely, once they were alone in Adama's office.

"Yes. I've heard a report that you're becoming increasingly difficult to work with. Is this the truth?" Adama began bluntly, never shying away from a confrontation.

"Who told you that?" Lee demanded, anger instantly flashing across his face.

"Your XO."

Lee's eyes narrowed. "And you believe her?"

She was right, Adama thought. He has changed. He was never this quick to show emotion. Well, save that one time when Kara went missing ... And a piece of the puzzle suddenly clicked into place for him and he finally saw the whole picture.

"Yes I do."

Lee huffed. "Well I'm not. I'm just doing what I have to do to get the job done. You've done nothing less," he added.

"She seems to think you have personal reasons behind your behavioural change."

"Well what does she know?" Lee exploded. "She isn't inside my frakking head!" He stopped himself. "Sorry sir."

"But she is in your bed."

Lee gave him a shocked look. "How did you ...?"

"Nevermind. It's time we cleared up some things around here. I know she asked for the transfer to be with you, and I granted it because it's a lonely life out here - no one knows that better than me." He gave Lee an apologetic look. He knew his eldest son had always resented that he put his commitment to the military ahead of his commitment to family. It was the reason for the divorce and everyone knew it. But Lee was the type who held grudges and he'd always blamed his father fully for his less than happy childhood. "You deserve some happiness son, and so does she. I had hoped you would be able to keep your personal life separate from work but I guess that's proving to be a little difficult these days."

"It's not Dee," Lee protested. "It's just that ..." He stopped, realizing he was about to tell his father how much he missed Kara and how desperate he was to get her back. But he didn't think his father would understand. They'd both been angry and hurt by her decision to leave, though his father had at least known about it and agreed to it.

"Just what?" Adama prompted gently.

Lee sighed and shook his head. "I just can't help thinking about all those people we left behind. It's driving me crazy knowing we just left them to die."

Adama knew he was referring to one specific person, despite his lack of ability to admit it. He knew though - he missed her too.

"Well, you've got to learn to put it away. Store it inside and not let it affect everything else you do. That's part of being in command. It's the worst part, in my opinion. Losing people is one thing, but the not knowing, the helpless feeling it creates is worse." He gave Lee a small smile. "Your plan is a damned good one - worthy of Starbuck. It'll work. Just a few more days and we're ready to go. I'm sure things will be alright on the surface. With Kara and Sam there, how could they not be? They're both fighters and will rally others to join them. Just you wait and see."

"I hope you're right," Lee said solemnly. "I hope it's not already too late."

TBC