He held his breath as he rolled the dice. They bounced down the council chamber table as everyone went silent waiting for the numbers to determine their fate. As the dice landed on the hard eight, Lizbet audibly gasped. The Copper squadron all stared at the double fours as if they could will the dice to flip on their own. Crius said softly, "Sir, you don't have to do this."

"I agreed to help in the absence of Starbuck," Adama said, as he looked around the table at the Copper Squadron, most of their faces a mix of dread and doubt. All except for Nik who was trying to hide an evil grin. "So which chore is mine?"

No one answered him right away as they communicated with looks amongst themselves. Crius spoke up again, "Sir, seriously, you should reroll. I insist. I can take that one for you."

Those around the table whom Adama knew were academy trained nodded in agreement, but those rescued from Caprica looked away. It was those very individuals he was trying to win over and reassure that the Galactica was not the Zakar; he was nothing like the Commander they had left behind. While it had only been four cycles, everyone including himself were beginning to deal with the fact that the members of their family may not return. While it had not been discussed openly as of yet, hope was still present, but there were some realities of daily life that had to be managed in the absence of those that many had come to depend upon. Adama had decided to begin with the one most noticeably absent for the Copper Squadron, Starbuck.

He had asked his second in command, Colonel Gage, how the family was faring since they had seemed reluctant to answer any inquiries about their status. Adama had often turned to his second to help him to understand the decisions and thought processes of the command structure that existed before Dante was defeated. Those conversations were concerning for him as Gage faced them with more guilt than should be ascribed to him. He was but a cog in Dante's machinations, but Gage was beginning to understand that had he been bolder and stronger, perhaps he could have put a stop to many of the abuses. He faced his new commander as if he were unburdening his sins to his priest. Adama did not enjoy causing the man who had already suffered so much any more pain, but the conversations were enlightening. Adama was quite clear with his Colonel that the man's actions, care, and concern had probably saved more than he thought. In truth, he understood that Gage's actions had been integral in bringing an end to Dante's command, and Adama did not examine too closely the guilt Gage felt about his part in Dante's death, and probably more importantly, the destruction of the destroyer and its crew. Gage carried enough burdens for one man. Adama certainly understood that.

It was Gage that had begun those discussions, in an attempt to explain his own involvement with the Copper Squadron, whom his Colonel still referred to as "the Rats" despite Adama's disapproval. Gage had been clear that he had been approached by Rene, at the time just a cadet. He did not act on his emotions until they were settled on Dilmun, but Gage admitted he had sought her out on occasion and had the Galactica not found them, it would have continued. Adama understood from watching his past ward with Starbuck that Gage had tempered his explanations taking the blame, but Rene most likely seduced the Colonel in a moment of weakness. Starbuck had used the truth of the situation as a weapon at the botched dinner party Adama held, but it didn't erase the truth. Rene had used Gage for not only her own, but the family's survival. Gage had provided protection and privileges. So did Starbuck.

As Adama began to spend more time looking into the affairs of the Copper Squadron, he discovered Starbuck's signature was on every document relating to the family, including their allocation of not only primaries, but necessities for the children. In essence, everything the family received including their secton's pay, came through Starbuck. He wanted to be appalled at that revelation, but he also learned that Starbuck seemed to keep some semblance of order with the family. While much of their workings had been established on the Zakar and Dilmun for the purpose of managing families that none of the Copper Squadron was prepared for, Starbuck had refined the processes and aligned them with the workings of a Colonial fleet. He had brought in the child minders from the orphan ship and volunteers from the Senior Ship, seeing to the transfers of personnel and finding living quarters for the volunteers so that everyone on the Galactica had access to a nursery that now existed in a part of the Life Center that had been used to house supplies. It was his signature on the requisition for materials to construct bunks for the older children and the extra partitions used to create a play area in the nursery. He had also worked a deal with the newly established education system created by the Council of Twelve to bring in educational materials for those too young to attend school. Starbuck had seen to not only their needs, but he had also helped to set up the hydroponics that now lined the corridors of the Galactica, providing more fresh food for its occupants.

Starbuck had been busy, utilizing his status as Strike Wing for Blue Squadron, and while his focus had been his new family, everyone seemed to benefit from his labors. Without him, the family was unsure where to turn for their needs. Adama had approached Gage to provide the solution to the problem. He had stepped in to see that nothing was forgotten. Part of that also meant taking care of the family, the nitty gritty of daily life like dishes and diapers. Starbuck had taken the family's process of drawing and dickering for who was assigned chores, and turned it into a game of sorts. Now it was dice and deals, a duty schedule posted much like a flight roster. While Adama understood the tasks of running a fleet, he had long ago delegated the scheduling of tasks to those lower in command. This was a good lesson that maybe he should check in once or twice just to verify how things were being done.

He couldn't deny that Starbuck's system was somewhat fair, but the element of chance perhaps should be eliminated if the fearful faces of those around the table were any indication.

"As I understand the rules, Lieutenant, there are no rerolls allowed and no trades unless duty necessitates. It seems even though I am taking Starbuck's place, his luck did not fall my way. Which task has chance assigned me?"

Adama was realizing that the boldest one of the group was their newest edition, the teen named Cain, adopted from the orphan ship to save him from a long list of offenses with fleet security. The young man broke the silence, "It seems only fair. It is Starbuck's when we get to pick first. He says he spent so much time doing it at the academy that he's the expert."

Nik spoke up, his eyes still glinting with mischief. "He offered. I told him we were fine."

Crius flashed a hand sign at Nik, a flick of his fingers and his hand. That would be next on Adama's agenda, learning the abbreviated silent language the squadron employed, but Gage had indicated that if Adama attempted to decipher their codes, the family would simply change their system. It would always be a sign of their distrust. He tried not to take it personally.

Whatever Crius had communicated, Nik had obviously taken offense as the grin left his features and he looked away, practicing his ability to fade into the background.

Adama spoke to him, drawing him back. "Lieutenant Nik, don't make me order it out of you. What is my assignment?" Adama felt like he had won the prize when Nik met his eyes. They flashed in a challenge already won.

"Turbowashes and trash."

He regretted the laugh that burst forth at the surprise. Everyone in the room recoiled from him as if he was a solenite charge, but he just couldn't stifle his reaction at the irony of the situation. He made a mental note to try to keep his emotions in check, especially any that might mimic their past Commander, but then he quickly discarded the thought. He could only be himself and they would have to learn in time that a laugh was simply that, a reaction to humor and not a signal that revenge would be swift. He let the mirth fill him, wiping at his eyes.

Crius tried to interrupt his laughter, saying again, "I will take the task."

Adama reached out a hand to the Lieutenant's arm, gratified that the man did not move away.

"No son, I am the one who offered to help in the absence of Starbuck and much like that scoundrel, I have cleaned my fair share of turbowashes. Besides, I would prefer that over childcare. Kiff is a handful and he is a bit much for my old bones. When does the task need to be completed?"

"Well, about that," Crius drawled, but Nik filled in the details.

"Usually whoever has that task waits until right before the next shift of the schedule, and Starbuck had it last so it should have been done a cycle ago, but he's been gone so…"

He laughed again, "So it is overdue. Well have no fear, when Starbuck returns he will be cleaning the turbowashes for the whole Galactica for a secton as punishment for the worry he has put us through. I believe it is your roll, Nik. Let's see if luck will be on your side."

When the details were posted, Adama decided not to waste any time. He asked Nik to show him the supplies and which washes needed to be cleaned. As he scrubbed, Nik remained his shadow, the ghost of a grin remaining on his features. He wanted to laugh again in joy when Nik asked him a question, so soft he wasn't sure he heard him.

"Do you like music?"

"Of course, who doesn't?"

"Who's your favorite band?"

Adama remembered back through the many yahrens to secondary school, when your choice in music often indicated your position in the hierarchy of school. Adama tried not to feel the weight that his answer might mean for this young man, acceptance or rejection of his new commander. "It's just conversation. It's a start," he reminded himself.

"Well of course the Fabulon Four as I remember when they first came out, but I was always partial to The Monarch before that. Elvis was just so different than the other singers."

"What was your favorite of his?"

"Oh, now you're bringing back memories. I danced the first time with the woman who would be my wife to 'Always on My Mind', but my favorite was 'Heartbreak Hotel'."

He did not need to worry about what questions he had to answer next as Nik began to speak detailing the virtues of the Monarch and the critiques of his music and career. He moved on to talking about the Fabulon Four, and Adama took longer to clean the turbowashes than was necessary just to see how long Nik would keep talking. When the young man ran out of words, the turbos were shining. Adama retired to his quarters feeling nearly as shiny himself as he played the song that always reminded him of Ila. It was her advice he had followed as she had often reminded him with his own children, "They are not your warriors; they are your children. Just be there, just smile and try to listen to them."

If only she had made it to the Galactica. He would have given her free reign to build the fleet and solve its many conflicts. She would have done a better job, of that he was sure. If Starbuck returned, he knew he would do the same for the man. He would listen while Starbuck cleaned those turbowashes he promised he would. Trust was built on fulfilling promises.