The IFB was going to have a heyday with this, Starbuck thought to himself as he watched Jake's hands clench into fists in his sleep. It wasn't news of the attack he was worried about as he knew Adama would make sure that remained private. No, it was the look of betrayal that flashed in Rene's eyes before she shut him out and stalked out of the Life Center. He'd seen that look on her face before, and it usually ended in someone's death. He didn't think she'd kill him, but that might only be because they were still technically on their honeymoon. He was more worried that this might be a really short marriage, and the IFB would love to film that drama too as Rene dissolved their sealing.

Should he have taken Rene's side and defended her? He had tried to but he couldn't deny the Commander's logic. They needed to know what had happened to her. It wasn't too late to prosecute a few of the abusers.

If he was honest with himself, it wasn't legal proceedings he was really interested in. He had other ideas that he wanted to mete out that were a lot more severe than time on a prison barge. By the looks of Jake's clenched fists, he was dreaming up some good ways to deal with the borays.

He knew he should be more mature about this and do things the right way since he was being promoted to Captain, but like the Rats, he didn't have much trust in the system, not after Ortega. Sure, going to the Zakar and attacking Pallus was a juvenile impulse, but he was still glad he'd done it. It wasn't completely irresponsible. Pallus had a part in this, he was sure of it.

But he could hear Apollo's voice in his head, "When are you going to grow up. You can't just hit every problem that comes up." Well he had matured, albeit only recently. He was still marveling to himself how in a few short sectars he had achieved his dreams. He had a family to call his own, one that relied on him, and kids that called him dad. In a few short sectars he'd be holding his own child in his arms. For once things seemed to be going his way, and like Hades was he going to let anyone or anything frak with that.

"Don't lie," he admonished himself like he had done often with Rene, "You want to kill a few people, and they deserve it."

A shiver ran across his shoulders as he remembered his time in the brig when he was pretty sure he was going to be spending the rest of his life on the prison barge. "Just have to do this right. Be smart. There's a million ways to die," he thought to himself. "I mean for frak's sake, we are in the middle of a war."

Jake winced in his sleep, and Starbuck reached out a hand to him. The only words that came to him were the same ones he often said to little Leia, "There, there, it's going to be okay. Starbuck's here." The words felt silly. Jake wasn't a child, in fact, he probably hadn't ever been one. Much like himself, Jake had grown up too fast in a rough world. But the words had the same effect they did on his adopted daughter. Jake sighed in his sleep and his features softened as he relaxed at Starbuck's touch. "No one's going to frak with you again," Starbuck whispered under his breath.

He knew that to be the truth even if Rene never walked back through that door. He looked down on his left hand that was touching Jake's shoulder and the ring he was still trying to get used to. True blue, that was the color of the stone, the color of fidelity. He was committed not just to Rene, but to this, all of this. He would kill to keep it and no one was going to hurt his family again

He jumped at the knock on the side of the door frame to the room, looking up to find Apollo standing there. He pulled his hand back away from Jake, wondering how long his friend had been there.

Before he could stammer out a greeting, Apollo asked, "How is he doing?"

"He's okay, or he will be," he answered avoiding Apollo's gaze. His friend knew him too well and might read the murderous intent that was brewing in his thoughts.

"That's good. Now do you want to tell me what you hoped to accomplish coming over to my ship and attacking one of my crew?"

He met Apollo's eyes, trying to gauge how much trouble he might really be in. His friend didn't seem to be wearing his new Colonel-with-a-stick-up-his-astrum uniform today. He looked like his old wing mate. He could use that Apollo right now. The two of them could solve almost any problem with a bit of creativity. Colonel Apollo was too by the book for his tastes.

"Your ship? If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have that ship," he replied evading the question.

"You, Swashbuckler Starbuck, or would that be Pirate Rene I have to thank for commandeering it for me?" He took a step into the room, letting the door close behind him.

"She got it for me, a sealing gift. It's mine," he said petulantly, wary of Apollo's suddenly light tone while he was still sporting Colonel insignia on his collar.

"She may have gotten it for you, but it's mine now." Apollo took another step towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It could be ours. My father and I think it is time for you to move over and apply your skills to the Zakar."

"And what skills would those be? The one's you're here to chew me out about?" He tested to see Apollo's reaction and relaxed when his friend chuckled lightly before answering.

"I haven't had much success in chewing you out. I actually find it best to distract you with some other activity like triad or pyramid. I'd like to keep you occupied with redesigning the Zakar to fit the needs of your family and the new fleet we are building." Apollo squeezed his shoulder. "You have a way with people that I don't. I need that skill right now."

Starbuck chuckled, "So you want me to hit a few more people, is that it? Colonel's aren't allowed to use their fists, but I am?"

"No," his friend drew out the single syllable before adding, "I was actually thinking about how you've been able to get the Copper Squadron to come together and act like Colonial Warriors. If you can get a rat to love you, I think you might be able to win over anyone, including Pallus."

Starbuck snorted at that one, "Doubtful and the radium from Caprica has made you forget Avery."

"I haven't forgotten it was Jake that lost his temper with the man. You kept your cool and Avery's men worship you right now."

"The ones that lived, yeah, sure, I mean, I did rescue them from a slow death either by Cylon starvation or radium sickness. What's not to love?" Starbuck rolled his eyes before meeting his friend's steady gaze. "You're serious."

Apollo grinned at him. "I've known you awhile now and you do go out of your way sometimes to annoy people, including me, but you always find a way to get everyone to work together, even the borays."

"Just have to think outside the box," he tapped his temple. "See, the trick is to realize that most people are selfish, and not dying is always in their best interests."

"Yes, well, I've tried that. Never seems to work for me, but you? You see potential I don't, like with Cassie and Chameleon."

Starbuck shook his head again as he didn't think those were the best examples his friend could have used as his relationship with Cassie crashed and burned, and Chameleon…well he hadn't figured out what to do with Chameleon.

Starbuck sighed. "So you really want me over there with Pallus and his cronies there?"

It was Apollo's turn to sigh. "No, you two don't mix well, that much is obvious, which is a shame because Pallus isn't a bad instructor."

"Yeah, I learned a lot from the Borays back on Serenity too. Doesn't mean I want to be living with them." He shot back noting that Apollo nodded to his assessment.

"We can arrange for some transfers if that will help. I need you."

Starbuck chuckled at the sentiment. "Ah Apollo, now you tell me. Well too late, buddy, I'm already sealed."

Apollo squeezed his shoulder again. "I need them too. I think I can share you for now."

Starbuck looked up at him nodding, before looking back to Jake. "I'm not sure if Rene will go, at least not until Cain goes off for his training, and maybe not even then. Jake's here in training and," he hesitated taking a deep breath. "Too much happened there on the Zakar. It's like walking into a horror show for Rene."

"Are you sure about that? I was there when she came over with Dixon and Gage. She's stronger than I think you give her credit for," Apollo offered, but Starbuck shook his head no.

"It's better for us here on the Galactica."

"Us, or you? Admit it Starbuck, you've never liked change."

"Really?" Starbuck snorted gesturing to Jake, "and yet here I am embracing a gazillion changes, and doing just fine, thank you for noticing." He looked up to find Apollo's condescending grin.

"Decking a superior officer is an indication that you're doing just fine? I'd hate to see what you do when you're doing great."

Starbuck shook his head. "No, you wouldn't. I deck Colonels. And besides, in this case superior officer is an oxymoron. He's not superior to me, not with what he's done in the past. I can't believe you would condone that!"

"Whoa there, Lieutenant," Apollo said, pulling rank, and there it was, the stick-up-the-astrum-Colonel-face. "I don't condone what he did. I wanted my father to look into the atrocities and level some charges, remember that? Everyone else said it was best to let it go, including you. So like it or not, Pallus outranks you, at least for now."

Starbuck felt his lip curl into a snarl. "He shouldn't be a Captain. That was just Dante promoting him so he'd stay loyal. Your father should have revaluated all those promotions."

"If he did, then your wife would still be a cadet and you would be facing charges for fraternization," Apollo said, his face softening back into a friendlier guise. "Not that I think she should be a cadet, or that I think Pallus should be a Strike Wing Captain. I agree with you, but we were in a situation and decisions had to be made. I think Crius made the right decision going back to his old rank but I also think a few promotions were needed, still needed, and that includes you, but you have to start acting like a Captain first."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm already doing the paperwork for it," he groused.

"Which is why it's overdue, and why I think a move over to the Zakar would be good change for you. Besides, you are going to all lose the council chambers here soon, and most of the single men like Giles, Jake and Boomer are going to have to go back to the real barracks, not the VIP suite you've converted."

Starbuck nodded, but it didn't mean any of that was going to happen or should happen. He cast a suspicious glare up at his friend. Apollo continued, sweetening the pot.

"And the Zakar is a blank slate with plenty of quarters that you could design any way you want."

Starbuck nodded, already picturing how they could dismantle most of officer row and repurpose it for the growing families, but then he shook his head. If Rene actually stayed sealed to him, she wouldn't want to go. "She won't go for it," he replied.

"Have you asked her?"

"A while ago, before Caprica. Feels like a lifetime ago," he replied remembering back to the night they were all gathered in his quarters and one by one they gave in to the idea.

"So, ask her again," Apollo said.

Starbuck shook his head. "Now's not a good time. Maybe in a few sectars or after the baby, but…"

"So, you have no problem confronting Pallus and accusing him of attacking Jake, but you're afraid of asking your own wife a question? Just ask her," Apollo interrupted, letting him know that the incident with Pallus hadn't been forgiven or forgotten.

"Now who has underestimated her?" Starbuck replied.

"We could ask her now," Apollo said, gesturing to the ward of the Life Center. Starbuck felt the fist that had been squeezing his heart let go as he saw Rene with Kalea in her arms talking to Nik and Dara. Dr. Dixon was with her and Starbuck wasn't sure if that was a good sign or a portent of disaster. His eyes tracked her, as he sent up his plea to the Lords for her to forgive him. When she finally looked for him, he couldn't read the expression on her face and he felt the fist tighten its grip again.

She handed a fresh uniform to Dara before she headed for the door to Jake's room. Dixon stayed behind talking to Nik and his wife. As Rene stepped into the small room, Kalea was reaching for Starbuck, calling his name. He got up, not knowing if he should take Kalea from her. He made an awkward attempt before settling for kissing the child on the head and leaving her in her mother's arms. Rene nodded at Apollo, but didn't speak at first as a silence filled up the room like rising water. Lords he was tired of swimming against the current.

"You okay?" he asked, trying to break the tension. She shrugged and he was afraid that would be all she would do.

Her voice was soft and flat when she finally spoke. "How is he? Any changes?"

"The same, out. How did it, um, go? You okay?" She wouldn't meet his gaze. That was fine with him right now because he was afraid of her pyramid face and the angry emotions it often hid. If she was avoiding him, it meant she hadn't made up her mind to dump him. "Are you talking to me or did I really frak it up?"

She briefly met his eyes, anger sparking before she gave a knowing look at Apollo and back, shaking her head no, before looking away, letting him know that she wouldn't say much until the Zakar Colonel left them alone. Kalea seemed to sense the tension, her big eyes regarding everyone in the room before proclaiming, "Daddy Jake has an owie."

"Yes, he does," Starbuck answered, "but he'll be better soon. We all will be." He debated if he should say anything more, when Apollo nudged him with an elbow to his ribs. Now was not a good time to bring up anything with Rene. He was just happy she was at least in the room with him. He didn't want to ruin what little he had at the moment, but Apollo nudged him even harder and he winced. Rene caught the movement casting him an inquiring look.

"Just ask her," Apollo hissed at him.

"It is really not a good time!" he hissed back, but Rene's raised eyebrows and narrowed eyes let him know he actually didn't have anything to lose and maybe Apollo had the right idea.

"He wants us to move over to the Zakar, now rather than later." He didn't add more as he watched the blue in her eyes turn an indistinct gray. "I told him it wasn't a good idea right now but he…" He shrugged, and stopped speaking not sure what else to say.

Rene's voice was soft as she asked, "Just us or all of us?" Her eyes shifted to Jake let him know she was asking about the whole family.

"Us is all of us," he answered, hoping she knew that he understood they were a package deal.

"We already said yes, so okay." She nodded and he felt some of the strain drain from the room.

"Okay? As in, you're okay with this?" he asked, reaching out to touch her lightly on the arm that was holding her daughter.

"Yeah, sure, okay."

She shrugged and Starbuck was afraid she would leave it at that, the Sewer Rat Shrug that meant literally nothing or everything depending on the situation. He looked at Apollo to give him the "I told you so" smug look, but instead he wound up giving him a look of surprise as Rene continued. "After Jake gets better and Cain goes off for training. The change would be good for Jason, and Dara would like different duties. Crius would be a good squadron leader given the chance." Her voice was still low and flat, but it was a full sentence and there hadn't been many of those since Caprica for reasons other than her being angry with him. "There's not much to move and Jake could do some of his training there. We'd need to talk to Giles and Maia, see what they want. Boomer could come too and we could probably convince Dietra."

Apollo nodded his own "I told you so" that had Starbuck wanting to slug him, but he turned his attention back to his wife, trying to gauge if her words were the truth or she was just saying what she thought Apollo wanted to hear. She nodded to him as if reading his mind before looking away again.

"Of course, that's what I told him. We can go when you say to go. Oh, and we get to redesign all the quarters since the ship is being refitted. We could put in a tub just like the Rising Star." He did his own sweetening of the pot, trying to get a good look in her eyes, but she only met his briefly before directing her gaze behind him to Apollo. There was a small gleam in them and his friend nodded at her and Starbuck was left wondering what message was being communicated across a channel he wasn't tuned to.

"So, it's a go," Apollo said, but the words were uttered with more weight than Starbuck thought they should hold. "The next few sectons should give me time to see that the Zakar is provisioned and ready for the family. I might need some help with that. I'm sure you could do without Starbuck for a centaur or two."

She nodded before looking back to Jake. "Yeah, I suppose."

"Great!" Apollo enthused. "We should get started. Ready, Starbuck?"

"Now? I think maybe I should be here, helping Rene and…looking after Jake. I haven't even cleaned up and…" he started to stammer as Apollo grabbed his arm, trying to lead him from the room. "Hey, wait, I'm still on my honeymoon!"

But the words didn't stop Apollo. "It will be like a honeymoon every day on your own ship. Like you said, she is yours. Let's go."

"But Rene? You okay? I mean, I should stay and…"

Dixon's entrance into the small room stalled his argument. "Gentlemen," Dixon greeted them curtly. "If you could give me and my clients a little privacy that would be appreciated."

"But, I…" As Apollo pulled at his arm, Rene reached out, handing him Kalea.

"Can you take her back to Lizbet and get Crius?"

As he took Kalea in his arms, he shot Apollo a withering glare. This was his place to be, at least it should be now that the sealing was formally and publicly official, but he was being pushed aside again and Apollo was making it worse.

"Starbuck!" Rene snapped at him and his head spun back to her, ready to put words to his thoughts, but she silenced him with a hand sign, one that said he wasn't in command here, she was. "You don't want to be here for this con..conversation. It will j…just…m…m..make you m…m..mad."

The returning stutter worked on him as effectively as a bucket of cold water. He handed Kalea off to Apollo to face Rene, taking her by the arms.

"Maybe I should be mad. This is not happening again, not on my watch, you got that?"

Nodding she uttered words that were contradictory. "But it did happen. And he's not going to say anything while you're here." She pointed to Jake, who's eyes were open and quickly shut again.

Sighing, Starbuck realized that Jake had probably been awake for a while, maybe for his whole conversation with Apollo. "Okay. I got it. Doesn't involve me. Not much does with you two."

Her eyes narrowed before she said softly, "I sealed with you, for everyone to see. Kn..kn…knock it off."

He glared right back and let his irritation meet hers, but he kept his words to himself. She may have sealed with him, but Jake was always going to come first.

"Starbuck," Apollo broke the staring match tapping his shoulder. "She's right. Come on. I'm sure Dixon will fill you in on what's important, as will your wife. There's something I need to show you."

He nodded at Rene, taking a hand off her arm to flash the sign meaning this wasn't over, not by a long shot. "I'll be back. I'll send Crius," he grumbled, letting Apollo lead him away.