Kestra laid her head back on Lee's chest. He ran his left hand up and down her arm absently as his right arms snaked more tightly around her waist.
"Do you have to go today?" he asked softly into her hair. She sighed.
"It's just gonna get harder the longer we wait," she said.
"Then don't go. If leaving is hard then don't. Stay," he said.
"Lee, we already talked about this. We agreed that I would go down to New Caprica with Laura," she said tiredly.
"Yes, but that was weeks ago. Things are different now. We're different," he said leaning down to place a kiss on her shoulder. Kestra shifted so that she could see his face.
"Is that why you agreed with me. So you could spend the last few weeks changing my mind?" she asked angrily.
"No, of course not," Lee quickly amended, "but things have changed… haven't they?" He brushed a piece of hair out of her face and let his hand linger on her cheek. She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes.
"I don't know, Lee," she said, getting up. She walked across the room and started getting dressed. Lee sat up and watched her.
"They've changed for me," he said emphatically. Kestra turned back.
"Have they?" she asked. Lee stood up and crossed to her.
"What's that supposed to mean? Everything is different now," he said. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she didn't resist.
"I don't think it is, Lee. You treat me the same way you'd treat Kara or Dee. I've enjoyed being here with you, but I need to know what this is. I don't want to be somebody's fling, especially not yours. I'm too emotionally attached," she said, looking up at him. Lee kissed her chastely.
"You're not a fling. I love you," he said earnestly.
"I love you too Lee, but I don't think that's enough for me. You love Starbuck and even Dee, and I don't want you to tell me one thing and do another or regret a decision you make," she said. Lee shook his head.
"I won't. I promise. Whatever Starbuck and I have, it isn't love. At least, not the kind of love that I want to make a future with. The love I feel for Starbuck is as unpredictable as Starbuck herself. What I feel for you is constant. Ever since I met you, even when I was with Dee, I never stopped thinking about you," he said. Kestra smiled and kissed him. This kiss lingered longer than the last one, and Lee took it deeper as he pulled Kestra's body flush against his. When Kestra pulled away, she was slightly out of breath. She tried to control her smile and focus on the discussion they were having.
"I believe you, and I want to trust you… but I need some time. I'm still new to your world, and I've been secluded for so much of the time I've been here. Let me learn to be a part of your world before I commit to anything more," she said evenly. Lee nodded on a sigh.
"Okay," he said in surrender.
"Thank you," she said sweetly, "and there are ships going between the fleet and the planet every day. I'll come back. I won't be away too long." Lee smiled at this.
"You'd better," he said before giving her another quick kiss. He released her and started dressing himself. "If you're sure you want to go to New Caprica, I'll support it." He looked over his shoulder at her. "Even if I think it's crazy." She smirked.
"I'm sure. I haven't seen much of how your society functions here besides your policies on prisoners of war." Lee gave her a withering look and she giggled. "Besides, I've missed Laura too. It'll be good to see her again." Lee finished buttoning up his uniform and turned to her.
"I'm sure she could use a friend down on the planet too after the election. I think you're the only one she's got. Being the president is a lonely business," he said. Kestra nodded thoughtfully.
"I think she has been lonely, but I wouldn't say she has no friends," Kestra said as she headed for the door. Lee picked up her small bag of things and followed after her.
"Who? She hasn't spoken to anyone about anything but colonial business since Billy died," he said incredulously. Kestra turned in the doorway and stared at him pointedly.
"Your father," she enunciated slowly, as if he needed help understanding the language. With that she turned on her heel and left the room. Lee paused for a moment before rushing out after her.
"My father and the president, former president, met to discuss the security of the fleet," Lee argued, "I wouldn't call that friendship."
"Are you kidding me?" Kestra asked with a smile, "your father is probably the only individual in the fleet that Laura cares for. I think she would put aside the safety of the fleet if he were in trouble. Besides, why else would she be staying on Galactica until the settlement?" she asked pointedly. Lee spluttered.
"Well, she needed somewhere to stay," he argued, "he wasn't just going to leave her on Colonial One. It was a practical choice."
"But she could have made the practical choice to stay on any of the other ships in the fleet with her political acquaintances. She chose to request Galactica. And your father, as far as I understand, was happy to grant that request," Kestra said. Lee rolled his eyes.
"They respect each other, which is an improvement when you think about some of the stuff that's happened, but I wouldn't call them friends," Lee said.
"I don't think they would be friends if he wasn't the Admiral and she hadn't been the president, but I think the situations they were both in pushed them toward friendship. There are very few people in the fleet they're close to besides each other. I think Laura spends more time with your father than you do," Kestra said. Lee looked like he was going to argue but decided against it.
"You know what, good for them. Gods know my dad could use more friends," he said, "anyone to balance out the influence of Colonel Tigh." Kestra laughed.
"I suppose I'll have to meet Colonel Tigh to see if he's as bad as you say," she said jokingly.
"The only thing I'll say for him is that he's loyal to my father," Lee said exasperatedly, "but he'd sooner drown himself in liquor than put any thought into the things he does. He's the perfect military man, which makes him a terrible civilian to be around." Kestra laughed as they reached their raptor. Lee got on board behind her and ordered the pilot to take off. They were on Galactica in a matter of minutes. Laura Roslin and Admiral Adama were on the hangar deck when they got there.
"Laura," Kestra greeted cheerfully as she leapt off the raptor. Lee smiled brightly as he followed her. While he hated to see her go, it was wonderful to see her so happy and excited at the prospect of reuniting with her friend.
"Kestra, how have you been?" Laura asked warmly as they hugged.
"Wonderful," Kestra said with a devilish grin. Laura smirked and raised an eyebrow.
"I look forward to hearing about it," she said conspiratorially. Both women laughed. Lee greeted his father behind them.
"It's good to see you, Son," Bill said gruffly.
"You too, Dad. I can't stay long. I just wanted to see Kestra off," he said. Bill nodded.
"Well, were ready to take off if you're ready," Laura said to Kestra. The younger woman nodded. Laura smiled encouragingly and led her to another raptor. They both turned back before boarding.
"Goodbye Bill. Thank you for your hospitality," Laura said warmly. Bill smiled.
"It was my pleasure, Laura," he said. Kestra smirked at Lee who walked toward her.
"Yeah, yeah," he said in mock irritation as he scooped her into a hug. Kestra laughed into his shoulder as she pulled herself as close to him as she could. Lee released her and ran his thumb across her cheek. "I'm gonna miss you," he said softly.
"Yeah, me too," she said. He leaned down and kissed her chastely. She smiled at him then stepped away toward the raptor.
"Goodbye," he said. She climbed onto the raptor.
"See you soon, Commander," she replied. They both smiled at each other as the door closed between them. Kestra sighed as she sat down next to Roslin. Laura nudged her.
"That looked… positive," she said conversationally. Kestra smirked and nudged her back.
"Shut up," she said as she rolled her eyes. Laura laughed, and Kestra couldn't help the smile that crept onto her face. They landed on the planet's surface, and Laura led Kestra through the makeshift town they had set up. Laura looked up at the sky as they walked through the tent lined street.
"It's been a while since I've seen a sky that wasn't black," she said wistfully. Kestra smiled softly.
"Never saw the sun... shining so bright. Never saw things going so right," she sang softly. Laura turned her head at the unfamiliar tune. "Noticing the days hurrying by. When you're in love, my how they fly. Blue skies smiling at me. Nothing but blue skies do I see." Kestra's tune petered off as she noticed Laura watching her.
"That's lovely," Laura commented. Kestra smiled again.
"It's one of my father's favorites. An old friend sang it at his wedding," she said. Laura looked up at the sky again.
"Well, it's not very true here, but it's a lovely sentiment," she said, nodding to the pale, grey sky above them.
"I guess not," Kestra said with a little laugh, "I could change the lyrics to grey skies, but I don't think it would have the same cheerfulness." They both laughed as they came upon the tent Laura had been assigned. Kestra glanced around nervously as Laura went in. "Laura, I don't want to be a burden to you. Maybe I should find somewhere to stay-"
"Nonsense," Laura interrupted, sticking her head back out of the tent, "I want you to stay with me. I think we could both use the company." Kestra walked in slowly.
"It's just that, last time I was forced upon you I lost you the election," Kestra said. Laura shook her head adamantly.
"You did not lose me the election. This fracking planet did that. You are my friend, and you may stay here with me as long as you like. Besides, I'm sure Commander Adama will steal you away often enough," she said, smirking after she finished talking. Kestra shook her head.
"Commander Adama knows perfectly well that I intend to make a life for myself here on New Caprica, so be aware that I did warn you," Kestra said pointedly. Laura just shrugged and hummed cheerfully as she turned to start unpacking her things.
