Hey, I know it's been a while since I've posted on this story, but I've finally got back to it. Sorry for the delay and I hope you guys enjoy the new chapters.

Kestra stepped tentatively into the Admiral's quarters. He was sat behind his desk reading over a stack of papers. He did not look up.

"You wanted to see me, sir," she said from the doorway. He nodded as he finally looked up at her.

"Have a seat," he said. She made her way over to the desk and leaned her crutches up against the wall as she sat across from him. "How's the leg?"

"It's healing well," she said. He nodded thoughtfully.

"Good." There was silence between them again. Kestra shifted in her seat uncomfortably.

"Admiral?" she asked, prompting him to say whatever it was he'd called her here for. Adama sighed and took his glasses off.

"Lee tells me you two want to have the ceremony tomorrow," he said. Kestra nodded hesitantly. Adama sighed.

"Is that a problem, Admiral?" Kestra asked. He looked at her across the desk.

"I'm going to be honest with you," he said, "I've never trusted you."

"I know," she said. Bill's eyebrows rose slightly, but he didn't comment any further on her response.

"And I worry that Lee is rushing into this because of the events on New Caprica."

"Admiral, Lee proposed marriage before the cylons came to New Caprica," she said. Bill nodded.

"He told me," he said, "but a lot has happened since then." Kestra frowned.

"Why did you call me here?" she asked skeptically. Bill folded his hands in front of him on the desk.

"I want you to call off the wedding," he said. Kestra sat up in shock.

"Why?"

"There are things that Lee, that both of you haven't thought through," Adama said, "you come from two different worlds. Marriage requires more than just liking each other, it's a commitment."

"You think that's why Lee's marrying me? He's just interested because I'm exotic and different, is that it?" she asked angrily.

"Yes," Bill said, his tone becoming harsher as well, "Lee's young and impulsive. You're clearly an intelligent young woman, it would be very easy for you to play on his feelings. Not to mention your… mind games." Kestra stood abruptly and Bill tensed in his seat.

"How is it that you can put a military uniform on a cylon, your greatest enemies, yet you can't fathom the idea that my intentions toward your son and as a member of this fleet are pure?"

"I don't think you came into this fleet with ill intentions, but I think anybody with the power you have is a danger to those without. You could use your influence and we wouldn't be able to do anything about it," he said, "I can't afford to let my guard down. Not when everyone else has." Kestra was furious, and blinked rapidly as hot tears crept into her eyes.

"And what about Sharon? Do you still have your guard up with her?"

"She's proven her allegiance."

"And what was I doing down on New Caprica?" Kestra yelled, letting a few tears slip down her cheeks, "I've been very patient with you, Admiral. I've endured imprisonment at your hands and your skepticism, because I understood the position you were in and your need to protect your fleet. But this can't just be about distrusting my telepathy. I proved myself on New Caprica… to Laura, to the Chief, and Sam, and even Colonel Tigh. I fought the cylons with the resistance, not because they're my enemy and not to prove myself to your people, but because I thought that if we held out against the cylons long enough I would be able to see Lee again. I survived because I had faith that he was alive, and he was coming back. So no Admiral, I will not call off the wedding. If you want that, you'll have to convince Lee to do it." Bill had narrowed his eyes at Kestra during her rant. He was standing facing her. There was silence except for the sound of Kestra's breathing, which was steadily calming down now that she was done yelling.

"I don't question your actions on New Caprica, but that was a different situation. You were under the cylon's rule just as the humans were. Now the dynamic has shifted. You hold a power that none of us have," he said.

"I have not used my telepathy without permission since I was a prisoner in your brig. I have control over it, and I don't use it unless I have to. Admiral, do you think Lee hasn't discussed my telepathy at length? Do you think he'd jump into this without knowing what he was getting into?"

"Yes, if he was under your influence," he said.

"I've already explained that my powers are limited to projection of my own thoughts and feelings. I couldn't manipulate Lee if I wanted to," she said in irritation.

"And we have to take your word on that?" he asked.

"Yes," she said firmly, "you do. I haven't given you any indication that I've lied, and eventually you'll have to trust that. Or you'll have to kill me." Bill narrowed his eyes again.

"You know I can't do that," he said.

"I don't think you believe that I've used my powers against anyone in this fleet. You only think I'll use it against Lee. Why would I pick your son above all others? Why manipulate him?"

"You tell me?" he asked. Kestra narrowed her eyes, finally fed up with Adama's stubborn skepticism.

"I love your son Admiral, and he loves me. I know it's hard for a father to let go, but from what I hear you've already done a marvelous job of that in the past. You can either support us or risk driving him away further. You have to choose: keep your hate for me or the best relationship with your son you've had in years," she said matter-of-factly.

"Are you threatening me?" Bill asked dangerously. Kestra shook her head and sighed sadly.

"No, I'm warning you. I'm warning you that it won't be me in here yelling at you next time. It'll be Lee," she said. Bill narrowed his eyes. "I'm truly sorry for you Admiral and your inability to let people in. You must be very lonely. You just have to decide if it's worth it… keeping your guard up. Excuse me." Kestra turned to leave.

"You have not been dismissed," Bill said angrily, trying desperately to hold onto any control he had over the situation.

"I am not a soldier," Kestra said fiercely as she exited the room. Tears streamed from her eyes as she raced down the corridor. She made it back to her shared quarters with Lee and was surprised to find him there. "I thought you were on duty," she said, wiping the tears from her eyes. Lee turned around abruptly, picking up shirts and things off the ground.

"I am. I'm just looking for," he stopped abruptly when he noticed her red, puffy eyes, "what's wrong? What happened?" He stopped his search and came up to her. Kestra looked away from him to collect her thoughts before addressing him.

"Lee, I don't know if we should get married just yet," she said tentatively. Lee's face was immediately filled with worry.

"Why? What happened?" he asked. Kestra shook her head.

"I just… Maybe we should wait until all the excitement has died down. With the escape from New Caprica and you're at war again. Maybe we're rushing into this."

"Kestra we talked about this before New Caprica. We're not rushing into anything. Now are you going to tell me what really happened?"

"I don't want to cause trouble for you, Lee. There's a lot of people who still won't accept me being in the fleet."

"This isn't about them. It's about us," he said, "I love you, and if people on this ship have a problem with you then I'm going to have a problem with them whether we're married or not."

"That's just it Lee," she said, growing more upset, "I don't want to drive you apart." Lee furrowed his brow. Suddenly, realization dawned in his eyes.

"This is about my father isn't it? What did he say to you?" Lee asked angrily. Kestra was silent for a moment, unsure if telling Lee would help or hurt the situation.

"He asked me to call off the wedding," she said softly.

"Why?" Lee asked in shock.

"He's never trusted me, Lee, not since I projected to him. I think he hates me more than the cylons at this point," she said.

"That's not true," Lee argued, "he hates the cylons more than anything."

"But he understands them. He knows what they are, what they want, and why they are doing it. I'm an unknown. He can never be sure of my intentions, and he felt very violated when I projected into his mind. I should probably have apologized for that," she said thoughtfully as she tried to explain the situation.

"No," Lee insisted, "you don't have to apologize for anything. He's being pig headed and stubborn like he always is. The Admiral can never admit he was wrong," he said bitterly.

"Lee, one of us is going to have to be the bigger person, and if it has to be me I'm glad to apologize. I don't want to be the cause of a rift between you and your father," she said.

"There's already a rift between me and my father," Lee interrupted, "nothing we do is going to change that."

"But it will, Lee," she said, "if you and your father grow any farther apart you'll regret it. You'll regret me." Lee shook his head as he held her face in his hands.

"Nothing is going to make me regret marrying you," he said, "if you've changed your mind we can call it off, but please don't let it be because of anything my father said."

"Are you sure Lee?" she asked, "he's the only family you have left."

"I have you," he said, "I have this crew. This is my family. If my father wants to let this come between us, that's his choice." Kestra sighed and put a hand over his as it rested on her cheek.

"I just hate that we can't have your father's support. I know it's his decision, but I wish…" she trailed off.

"I know. I wish he could accept it too, but it's our lives. Yours and mine. We're going to have to build our life together, and all that matters is that you and I are committed to it."

"I am, Lee. I just know it's hard without the support of the people you love," she said.

"We have support. My father isn't the only family we have. The Chief and Cally seemed very excited about it, and Helo was happy when I told him. Laura Roslin is incredibly supportive," he raised a brow and she laughed, "even Kara and Sam have congratulated me since word got out." Kestra smiled and nodded.

"I know," she said, leaning into him and wrapping her arms around his waist. "I love you," she murmured into his shirt.

"I love you too," he said, leaning down to press his lips to hers. She returned the kiss and her arms traveled up his back and over his shoulders. Suddenly, she pulled away.

"You're supposed to be on the flight deck," she said with wide eyes.

"Frak you're right," he said. He pulled away from her, and his eyes scanned the room. He crossed to the desk and riffled through some papers until he found what he was looking for. "Alright, um," he said, looking around as though he was still missing something, "we'll talk later. Everything's going to be fine. Don't worry about my father. I'll deal with him." He finally calmed and stopped in front of her. "I love you," he said, placing a kiss on her cheek.

"Love you too," she replied, "see you later." He waved as he left through the door. Kestra sighed and sat on the bed.

Bill walked down the corridor toward the CIC. He was startled when he turned the corner and found Kestra waiting for him at the entrance.

"Admiral Adama, I wondered if I might speak with you for a moment," she said. He stared at her for a moment then nodded stiffly. She smiled and looked around to see if anyone else was in the hall. "I wanted to apologize, Admiral. When I spoke to you using my telepathy I understand that that was a violation of your mind, and I never properly apologized for that. So I wanted to tell you that I am… sorry, and I know I already agreed to it but I want to assure you that I won't and haven't used it again without permission." She watched Bill for a reaction, but he stared at her as impassively as always. She nodded nervously. "Thank you." With that, she turned around to go back to her quarters.

"If you hurt him," Bill said, stopping her in her tracks, "you'll have me to answer to." Kestra turned back to meet his eyes.

"I know Admiral," she said with another nod. She made her way back down the corridor and a small smile crept onto her face.