Kara took a deep breath before answering Lee's question, "I don't think you were wrong to stop the search for me."


Lee had been outside her sickbay curtain for over ten minutes, trying to muster up the courage to go inside. The medics said his father had already been to see her and word was William Adama had apologized for whatever he did to make her go on that suicide run. That meant she was probably in a good mood.

"I can see you through the curtain, Lee."

Lee shook his head and pushed into the curtained area. It felt familiar for Kara to catch him acting stupid and insecure. It was happening more often these days. "Hey."

"Hey."

Lee's eyes roamed her body, and Kara was all too aware that she was in a flimsy hospital gown. Not to mention that sponge bath hadn't really gotten her clean. His eyes settled on the brace on her knee, and Kara suddenly remembered why she was here. "I'm doing fine, Lee. You don't have to worry."

"I know," he said, nodding. He took a seat on the side of the hospital bed. "So, did anyone tell you about how intent this ship was on finding you? It should make you feel important."

Kara nodded. "A few of the pilots were in here earlier to welcome me back. They seemed to be under the impression that most of the intent was coming from you and your father." Lee felt his cheeks redden immediately. "And it did make me feel important."

Lee watched as Kara stared down at her hands, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. The guilt washed over him without warning. He shouldn't let her think he was this big, strong champion of her cause. "Did they tell you about why we stopped?"

Kara took a deep breath before answering Lee's question, "I don't think you were wrong to stop the search for me."

Lee rested his hand on the thigh of her good leg. He couldn't meet her eyes. "I don't think anything's ever killed me as much as having to call up the CIC to let my father terminate the search. The whole time my heart was screaming that you would never give up on me. You would never let yourself be bullied into anything."

"That's not fair, Lee," Kara said, leaning down to rest her hand on top of his. "It's the end of the world, and I'm just one pilot. You couldn't risk everything we've fought so hard to keep just to save me. I'm not worth it."

"You are," Lee insisted, finally looking up at her. "You're worth a whole hell of a lot, Kara, and the fact that you don't know it only proves the point."

Kara beamed at him and leaned back in bed. "You see? Now that makes me feel important."

Lee felt himself blush again and wondered how Kara had become the only person who could make him do this.

"So are you off-shift?"

"The Old Man gave me a little downtime. He knew that I took the President's order to call off the search a little hard. Plus, I was the one to bring the prodigal daughter home. I deserve a little time off."

Kara rolled her eyes before patting the bed next to her. "Come sit up here with me."

Lee shifted, being careful not to jostle her knee as he settled in. Kara grabbed his arm and slid it around her shoulder before leaning in to his side. Lee couldn't help but drop a kiss on the side of her head. "I'm sorry," he whispered after a moment.

"I told you that it was okay that the search was called off."

"That wasn't what I was apologizing for." Lee let out a deep sigh. He and Kara were peacefully coexisting for once, and he couldn't believe he felt the need to push that. "My father told me yesterday that you two had talked about Zak, and I don't know… I guess I thought that meant you had told him about passing Zak during his flight test. I told him that this whole problem you were having with the nuggets might have something to do with the guilt you felt about Zak. He always treated you differently than everyone else, Kara. I really thought you two could have talked about it and he would have forgiven you right away. I didn't now…" Lee's voice faded out. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Kara whispered. She turned the hand Lee had resting around her waist and flipped it palm up. Her fingers trailed against the roughened skin, the sign of a pilot who had been flying his machine for years. "I would have kept that secret bottle up inside of me for years, Lee. I would have pushed off telling your father because the timing was never right or I thought he was too stressed. I would have used any excuse I could get my hands on to not admit to what I had done. You pushed me to not do that."

"It should have been your decision, though," Lee protested.

A slow, lengthy yawn took her over, and Kara sighed, "I'm too tired to be having this argument with you, Lee."

Lee nodded and moved to get up. "I won't keep the legendary Starbuck from her beauty sleep."

"Frak you," Kara hissed, though her grip tightened on his body.

"Kara, you have to let go if you want to sleep."

"I'm still waiting for my bath," she mumbled, snuggling in close to him. She could feel him chuckling. This felt familiar. "You'll stay for a bit, won't you?"

"Sure," Lee said. He let himself shift and relax until he had found a comfortable position. "You know, I saw Dr. Baltar buzzing around out there. I think he has a crush on you."

"Shut up," Kara growled, even though she couldn't hide the smile from her face.

Lee laughed and let his eyes slid shut. Truth be told, he needed this rest as much as Kara did. They had both had a long day.