Kara held on to Lee's hand as tight as she could as they stared at the coffin slowly drifting out the airlock and into space.


Kara held on to Lee's hand as tight as she could as they stared at the coffin slowly drifting out the airlock and into space.

"It's going to be okay," she whispered.

Lee continued staring into space. She could hear the people filing out of the hangar bay and knew everyone was trying to give them a moment. That was good. They needed a moment.

Lee let go of her hand the moment the hangar doors slid shut. His fingers slid up to undo the top few buttons of his dress greys. Kara watched his shoulders deflate as the weight of the challenge he faced could finally be shown. "Lee…"

"I guess congratulations are in order."

Her hand paused halfway in the air. She couldn't tell if he meant that harsh tone. "I guess." She waited a moment before continuing, "You know I really didn't see it coming."

"I did." Lee sighed and turned to her. "Or didn't you hear? I'm the top gun in the Fleet now."

"Lee…" Kara said, stepping forward. This time she didn't hesitate to slid her hands up his shoulders to brace his neck. She could feel the tension there.

"I'm sorry, Kara. I know this is hard on you, too."

"He was your father," Kara pointed out.

"You were his daughter."

Lee's hand came out to play with the gold insignia pinned to brown strap of her uniform. It stood out like a sore thumb from all the old, battle-worn pins beside it.

Kara bit her lip to keep from ruining the moment. Having that pin there surprised her but then it didn't. There weren't many options for William Adama's successor these days. Colonel Tigh had bottomed out on alcohol years ago when Ellen died, and other proper candidates were few and far between. The Cylons were getting very good at hunting the remnants of humanity.

"Do you…" Kara's voice faded off. She wasn't sure if she wanted to ask him this question. He was too out of it to spare her feelings.

"Do I what?" Lee prompted.

Kara slid her hands down to rest on his chest before looking up at his eyes. "Do you think I can do this?"

Lee's eyes went wide. "You know I do." Kara chewed on her lip and shook her head. Lee wanted to laugh. She actually hadn't known. "Kara, I was the one who promoted you." Her mouth dropped open, and this time Lee did laugh. "You actually thought I would be against having you command Galactica, didn't you?"

"You're always telling me that I'm too reckless for my own good."

Lee shook his head. "I never meant it. You're a leader, Kara. You always have been. It just took the end of the world to bring it out."

Lee's hand reached up to brush against her cheek. "I don't understand," Kara whispered.

"I need you to help me figure this out, Kara. It took me months to figure out how to command the Pegasus, and even then I made a lot of mistakes. I can't be making mistakes anymore." Lee sighed and leaned his forehead in to touch hers. "I know I can't do this, Kara. I'm not strong enough."

"Yes, you are."

"No, I'm not." Lee moved his arms around her back and pulled her into a tight hug. "That's why I need you, Kara. If we're in this together, then I know it can be done."

"You just need someone to point out your mistakes," Kara joked, leaning in to brush her lips against his shoulder. She had always found the soft, masculine smell he radiated soothing.

"I figured you're pretty good at it already so why change things?"

Kara laughed and pulled back. "So you really think I can do this?"

"You love Galactica," Lee explained. "For my father, that would have been enough."

Kara felt her heart drop out as she realized for a few precious seconds she had forgotten why they were here in this hangar bay. Lee reached his hand down to grasp hers. "It's okay, Kara. Everything's going to be okay."

Lee held her gaze for a moment before stepping back. His hand tugged on hers and together they walked across the deserted hangar. "I think the gods are making fun of us," he said.

Kara glanced over to see he was smiling. "What the frak are you talking about?"

"Apollo and Artemis," Lee said as way of explanation. When Kara continued to look at him expectantly, he shook his head. "The twin children of Zeus? You can't tell me you don't see the poetic irony in you commanding Galactica and me commanding Pegasus."

Kara stared at him a moment before bursting out in laughter. The gods were definitely mocking her, but it was in such a way that she didn't mind.

Lee's hand tightened in hers. "Let's go pack up my father's things."

It was in that moment that she knew the pain would fade.