They took their time finishing their ambrosia before Boomer announced it was time to head to the party.

"I was liking this party." Starbuck sighed taking a last drag of his fumarello, a fine one stolen from one of the best smoke shops on Caprica. It was going to be hard to go back to the cheap alternatives to be found within the fleet. He might have to actually give up the habit now that he was going to be a father.

Apollo laughed. "I never thought I'd see the day that Starbuck didn't want to attend a party thrown in his honor. Maybe we should take you by the Life Center and get you checked out. The radion has addled you."

"Ha ha, you're not the one everyone wants to Starbuck. You are coming, right Commander?" he asked looking for a glimmer of hope that Adama could keep the shenanigans to a minimum.

"I'm sorry, but no. Not really my place, besides I am meeting Siress Tinia for a drink."

"A date?" The blush of Adama's cheeks made Starbuck chuckle. "So will we be planning another sealing?"

"Wow, look at the time. We have to go," Apollo interrupted. Starbuck laughed even harder, clutching at his gut. His muscles were still sore from their abuse on Caprica.

"You alright, Bucko," Boomer asked, not missing anything.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just been awhile since I had a good laugh"

"Let's go have a few more," Boomer said placing an arm around his buddy, guiding him out of his chair and what Starbuck felt was to his doom. Usually he was the one on the planning side for send-off parties. He had been creative in the past. His pranks were legendary. His favorite was what he had planned for Apollo but never was able to pull off. He had planned to get his friend good and drunk, then they would strike, all of Blue Squadron stripping the Captain into just his briefs. Then the scavenger hunt would begin where he would have to track down his uniform in just his skivvies by visiting very public areas of the Battlestar. Only he wouldn't be given his uniform, just more pieces of the costume. The hunt would have terminated with Apollo being delivered to his bride dressed as an ape in a dress. It would have been hilarious and yet still somewhat approved by the super stern Colonel Tigh.

This party wouldn't be overseen by the Command staff of the Galactica. Worse, it was planned by the Command staff of the Zakar so all the normal restraints were removed. Starbuck would have drooled at the opportunity, letting his wicked mind have free reign. His buddies could be just as creative. He had to be honest with himself, he was a bit terrified, especially with the thought of the whole fleet being able to witness the aftermath on live vidfeed the next day.

"So really, what's planned? Spill buddy." Starbuck asked as they headed down the corridor towards the Astral Lounge.

"You have somewhere else to be? You really into the Squiggles? By all means, don't let us keep you," Boomer joked.

"Lords no, but Jason and Cain mentioned something about Junior League triad and…Look, I have to be on the vids tomorrow, so whatever you do, not the face. Leave my looks alone, alright?"

Apollo wrapped his arms around him. "I owe you this. Don't worry, we couldn't find the ape costume. No, it won't be as good as the send-off you had planned for me."

"Lords I hope not. Never been so sick in my life," Boomer added. "Almost threw up in my helmet rescuing you two. Tonight, it's your turn to throw up in your helmet."

He sighed heavily again as they came to the door of the lounge. Fun, this will be fun, he reminded himself. He could be a good sport and he knew he was due some relaxation. The drinks would be very welcome as they would help chase away the frightening visions he couldn't shake, like the one he was having now, restrained by his friends as he stared into his own reflection in the shiny metal doors to the lounge. Lords he was pale, his bruises still vivid.

"Frak it. Let's do this," he mumbled appalled with himself. He pulled away from Apollo and Boomer before they could notice his shoulders trembling.

The doors parted as he loudly announced, "Starbuck has arrived! Let's get this party started! Someone buy me a drink!"

The cheer that went up from his friends was deafening. As he predicted, there were numerous hard slaps to his back as he made his way to the bar. He gritted his teeth and practiced dodging away. All of Blue Squadron had to crowd around, pressing him towards the bar. He choked down the desire to push them away. He resolved his panic by hauling himself up to sit on the bar, grabbing one of the shots that was lined up there, before coming to his feet standing on the bar.

"First toast of the night is mine. To good friends, good booze, pretty girls and dead cylons!" He downed the shot as another was handed up to him. Giles climbed up on the bar beside him.

"To Starbuck, the man who saved our astrums, right after he got us into trouble!" The cheer for that one was louder than the first when he walked in the door, and he felt the second drink begin to loosen him up. Yeah, this could be a fun evening. He was surrounded by friends and had a soft bed waiting for him when this was all over. Quite a bit different from his other parties when he'd have to convince some pretty girl to take him home. He had a pretty girl already waiting.

Giles was pulled down from the bar as Greenbean pulled himself up. "Starbuck, you always gave good advice. I think the best was that it was better to have loved and lost than to marry and be bossed. To no longer being the boss!"

Another shot was shoved in Starbuck's hand and he drained it down noting it was something a bit stronger than the other two. Greenbean was pulled down by Jolly who rolled his bulk onto the bar before standing up. Starbuck felt something give under his feet as both he and Jolly wobbled. "Whoa there," they said in unison and began laughing. They were both handed mugs which the two pushed together, half the contents spilling out on the impact causing them to laugh harder as another cheer went up.

"Quiet down you animals!" Jolly yelled, his voice carrying across the room before he turned back to Starbuck. "You are the closest thing I have to a kinsmen. I have some words for you before the rest have at you. Drink, for who knows when Cupid's arrow keen, shall strike us and no more we'll here be seen. Take a last look at your friend, because these wild times will come to an end. We know we are all out of luck when love captures our friend Starbuck."

Another wild cheer went up as he looked to Jolly shocked at the man's words. "To Jolly the poet!"

Jolly bowed to the applause before he began to fight off the hands that were trying to pull him down from the bar. It was Apollo that reached up to pull Starbuck down. "Get down before you both fall down."

Apollo guided him around the room as his friends all came up and clinked their mugs with his. By the time Starbuck went to take a drink, there was nothing left in the tankard. It was quickly remedied as someone replaced his mug with another. He was jostled and almost half the contents spilled out as someone hollered, "Alcohol abuse!" Prompting him to drain the mug before anymore was lost to the floor and his tunic. He was finally guided towards a table where a bottle was waiting for him, along with a fumarello ready to be lit. He took the seat willingly as his back was starting to ache. He reached for the bottle and paused in shock. It was one of the bottles from the Proteus prison.

He looked to Apollo in awe. "Where did you find this? I thought they were all gone?"

Apollo grinned as he waved someone over. Robber came up and extended his hand to Starbuck. "My gift to you for all you've done for us."

"I didn't do anything to deserve this!" Starbuck stood to clasp the man's hand.

"Well, we all chipped in, Forger and Adulterer, oh and Assault Nine, and aye, you did do a lot. You let me steal your ship and still got us off world. Oh, and Apollo here, he's found a place for me and my family on the Zakar. He says he's got a use for my skills as a vinter and a mechanic, and my wife will be needed in the child care center. It will be much better than the Colonial Movers for our daughter."

Starbuck looked to Apollo, impressed that his friend had found the time to look up Robber and his family. "Yeah, I think it will be. I'll make sure of that. We've got plans on how to make it better for everyone apparently."

"Just following your lead," Apollo said to him reaching for the bottle. "I'm going to stow this behind the bar for later, when you can appreciate it."

He nearly stopped his friend. He would love to have another taste of the fine ambrosia, but Apollo had a point. He wasn't tasting much of what was poured into his mug. In this crowd it might just get spilled all over the floor. Better to save it for a special occasion, like a honeymoon.

"It was good to catch up with you Starbuck, but I have to go. My wife would kill me if I stayed," Robber said patting Starbuck lightly on the shoulder. "We can talk more when we're neighbors."

Starbuck didn't get the chance to tell him he was really looking forward to that as they were interrupted by Crius and Bojay, both carrying two shots each.

"Bottoms up, Bucko," Crius said handing the shot to him, and the two downed the potent contents. Starbuck found himself coughing on the taste of pure wood grain alcohol.

"What the frak was that?" he asked as Crius grinned at him.

"Specialty from the agro ship. They use it to kill parasites."

Starbuck reached for the extra shot in Bojay's hand, but he pulled it back. "Nuh uh. These are both mine. Athena doesn't know I'm here and when she finds out, well I want to be feeling no pain when she hits me. Apollo's trying to get the card games organized, but I think everyone is too busy drinking to want to play. Besides, Greenbean has a surprise for you later."

Jolly came up to join them, handing Starbuck a mug of something a bit tamer, just grog. Starbuck took a sip as he scanned the room, counting the warriors that were there, all of Blue Squadron plus most of Silver Spar, minus the women. Across the room he saw a group of people he didn't know, except for Pallus who seemed to be commanding the group's attention.

"Who invited him?" he asked, but it was Apollo that answered over his shoulder.

"I did. This is about forging bonds and learning how to work together. I couldn't think of a better way than to invite them to a party."

Crius growled under his breath for only Starbuck to hear, "He never misses a party."

"It better not turn into that kind of party," Starbuck whispered back before addressing Apollo. "You think that's such a good idea? You do know he and I got into a fight the last time we were here."

"Yes, but this time, you're surrounded by friends, and you're not that drunk, not yet anyway. I will see what I can do about that," Apollo said to him winking as he strode away back to the bar, stopping to take orders on his way, acting as host for the party.

"I wasn't drunk then either. Is Apollo looking for trouble?" Starbuck winced as he noticed that Pallus was headed his way with a large man he didn't recognize.

"Just walk away," Crius said pushing at Starbuck to turn away and go join another group of his friends. Instead Starbuck downed the grog and waited for Pallus. Crius cursed under his breath before muttering, "The sealing can't happen if you're in the brig."

"It can if you are though. You've got my back, right?" He grinned at his new wingmate, before looking to Bojay. "You met the guy, right? He's trouble."

"Yeah I know. He made a pass at Sheba, after he found out who her father was," Bojay replied.

"And he's still alive?" Starbuck raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"She said something about acting civilized. I on the other hand am a bit of Boray according to your girlfriend. We've got your back and besides, at least the brig will be a quiet place to sleep off this hangover and my wife."

Crius shook his head cursing again. "Yeah, but I was looking forward to actually enjoying this evening. But what the frack, Lizbet will just beat me up when she finds out what Greenbean has planned. Might as well get a few licks in now while I can." He turned, flashing a fake smile at Pallus before greeting the man with him. "Mars, long time, no see, buddy. Can't say that I missed your ugly face."

"Sleeping your way to the top again I see Crius. You always did like the blondes," Mars said amiably while extending his hand in greeting first to Bojay, then to Jolly and finishing with Starbuck. "We have yet to meet Lt. Starbuck, but I think we have a lot in common."

"How's that," Starbuck asked taking the man's hand in a tight grip as he set his drink down on the table so his hand was free just in case he needed to make a fist. He had remembered Boomer's description of the Captain, competent but eyeing the Galactica like some day it would be his own vessel.

It was Pallus that provided the punchline to the joke. "We all seem to have the same taste in entertainment and in women. She do that thing yet that she does with her tongue? Drives you over the edge real fast."

Starbuck felt his jaw tighten and began to take the step forward, but Jolly had a grip on his right arm holding him back. "Ignore them. They're just borays."

"Of course she has," Mars added as if they were holding a conversation about the weather or battle tactics. "Or he wouldn't be sealing with her. She's a good choice, as good as any. Glad we were talked into taking her off Caprica. She can fly, but more importantly she's fertile and obeys when given the right motivation. Congratulations on adding to the population and mixing up the gene pool," Mars said as Starbuck tried to figure out if the man was being insulting or crudely complimentary. He had his answer as the man leaned forward speaking low, "I taught her that thing she does. She's a quick learner, just ask Crius."

Jolly may have had a hold on his right arm, but he didn't have his left. Starbuck thought he had made a fist, but as his hand shot out, he landed something that more resembled a slap than a punch before Jolly pulled him back and Crius got between them. Starbuck growled as Mars just laughed.

"And we both like fighting. How about we have a go. Pallus, get the tables arranged and take the bets."

Apollo had made it through the crowd that was gathering as Starbuck was shouting at Jolly to let him go. Pallus was indeed moving tables around while Jolly was hauling Starbuck back. Crius's voice joined in as he was proclaiming he'd be the first to go in the makeshift ring.

"You and me Pallus! I will take you down like I did before."

"What the frack is going on?" Apollo shouted in his commanding voice that didn't seem to have any effect. "Stand down now, or I call security!" Those words seemed to hold more weight as Mars backed off with hands up.

"I just thought we might have a little fun, for the honor of the Shiva, the Zakar and the Galactica. Just a friendly boxing match, right Starbuck? A bit of a tradition on the Zakar to fight for the woman you want to have. He's game, aren't you? Winner takes the girl. Oh wait, I've already had her," Mars said with a leer.

Starbuck lunged for Mars, but Jolly hauled him back a few more feet as Crius took a step forward into the gap, ready to take a swing at Mars. Apollo stepped between Crius and the Zakar Captain shoving Crius back.

"Enough! I won't stand for you disrespecting other warriors who just happen to be female," Apollo shouted. Apollo's eyes flashed to Starbuck, looking dangerous before his friend began to strip off his jacket, flinging it to the floor. Apollo brought his fists up as he took a menacing step towards Mars. "You want a fight, you fight me."

"Make room!" Bojay yelled as the crowd complied without needing the prompting, people shoving the tables back and making a makeshift ring with their bodies.

"Colonel," Starbuck found himself warning his friend. "This is crazy! Let me take him. They can't bust me any lower, and besides, I was thinking of leaving the service anyway."

Apollo looked to him for just a moment, his fists remaining up and ready. "No Starbuck. This one's mine. Tradition, right? Besides, we don't want to mess up the face, remember?" Apollo turned his attention to Captain Mars. "Just between us, no charges laid despite the outcome, deal?"

"Deal. One you will regret," Mars said. He slowly stripped off his jacket handing it to Pallus before beginning to circle Apollo with his fists up. Starbuck decided he was far drunker than he thought he was as Apollo was about to fight a man that outweighed him by a good four stone and stood at least a head taller. Apollo wasn't backing down.

"Apollo, use your head. He's just baiting you," Starbuck started to warn again, but his buddy wasn't listening. Jolly let go of Starbuck's arm to cheer their friend on. Boomer came out of nowhere and was on Starbuck's other side.

"This got out of control fast," Boomer said.

"Aren't you going to do something? That guy is going to murder him!" Starbuck appealed to his friend, usually the steadying force of the trio. "From the stories I've heard Mars has way more experience at this I'm betting."

"I have five cubits on Apollo. I think he can take him in under two centons," Boomer replied to Starbuck's shocked look. "You didn't even want to come. This will end the party sooner for sure."

Boomer had a point, but Starbuck didn't want to get out of the party at the expense of his best friend's face, or his life. This guy was huge with a nose that looked like it had been broken more than once. He was about to call out another warning, but he didn't have time as Mars reached out a feint in Apollo's direction. Apollo easily batted it away as he took his own jab at the man. It had little effect as the two began to circle each other again. Mars took another punch at Apollo, a one two combo, landing a blow to Apollo's face that brought groans to those from Blue Squadron.

Apollo backed away shaking off the hit, his fists still up in defence. Mars took the advantage throwing two more blows, one that landed in Apollo's gut and the other that was headed for his chin that Apollo deflected with his own fist. Mars reached out taking another shot at Apollo's chin, connecting with a sharp rap.

The blows seemed to be the signal that unleashed Apollo's fury. His fists flew swiftly and accurately; several blows in succession to Mars midsection dropping the man down to a crouch before Apollo put all his might into an uppercut. The force of the hit took Mars off his feet and onto his back on the floor. He landed hard rattling the floor beneath their feet. Mars shook his head, but remained on the deck. The roar of the crowd was deafening as Apollo stepped over the man, fists at the ready.

"Had enough or want more?" Apollo taunted.

Mars laughed from the floor, shaking his head and pretending like this was what he had planned from the beginning. He held up his hands in surrender. "You win. Starbuck can have the girl we've all had."

At the comment, Apollo pulled back to punch the man while he was on the ground, but several hands shot forward pulling him back, both Galactica crew and Dilmun warriors.

"Easy there, buddy, it's okay. He's just trying to get to you," Starbuck said reaching for his friend as others tried to hold him back. "Get your drinks and your friend and get out." Starbuck directed his words to Pallus who glowered at him.

"Thought we were all friends now. Or do you and I need to go a round?" Pallus taunted as he reached for Mars to help the man to his feet.

"You'll fight me first," Crius said trying to get into the makeshift ring, but Boomer held him back.

"Calm down," Pallus called out to Crius and to the crowd. "Just a tradition. No harm meant. Good luck Starbuck, you're going to need it. Come on, let's go." Pallus gestured to those of his group and they headed for the door.

Mars hung back for a moment before turning and reaching out his open hand to Apollo. "You won this round."

Apollo hesitated before taking the man's hand. "Another time, in the proper place, say an actual boxing ring, we'll see who takes the next round."

"Plan on it. You free in a four cycles? I'll meet you in the Zakar gym. Just know, you won't win this battle," Mars said before dropping Apollo's hand.

Apollo nodded in agreement. "I'll see you then, now get out."

Mars chuckled evilly. "Seems it's not my kind of party after all." He followed his friends out the door.

"Oh man, that was epic!" Greenbean crowed as the others erupted into cheers. "I knew this party would be legendary! Get Apollo a drink!"

Starbuck shook his head at his friend. "Do you think that was wise?"

Apollo grinned at him. "You've been avoiding Dante's warriors. I've been getting to know them." Apollo took the drink he was offered, downing the shot. "You're not the only one that can throw a punch you know."

"Yeah, and I almost got busted out of the service for it. Apparently with the new troop acquisitions, they can do without a hot pilot or two. This gets back to your father and we are dead meat." He reached for the other drink that was being offered to Apollo, downing it himself as he grabbed his friend's arm and led him over to one of the tables that was being hauled back to its proper place.

Apollo shook his head at him as he took a seat. "No Starbuck, Mars is right, this is a bit of a tradition. When they have grievances, they fight them out in the ring with at least some semblance of rules. If it's not done there, well, that's when it gets out of control. Your Copper Squadron weren't seen as equals, but we are. Mars will honor the deal and in time, that deal will include accepting your family as the Warriors they are. You'll see."

Starbuck shook his head, half in admiration, half in doubt. "You're playing with solenite, you know that right? These guys had no problem with killing Colonial Commanders of ships they wanted. Something tells me they still think the Zakar is theirs."

"And now they know it's not. Or at least that I'm not going down without a fight. Rene is right, you worry too much Starbuck. You're not in this fight alone, buddy." Apollo reached out a hand and Starbuck took it in the traditional warrior handshake as Boomer added his hand, then Crius and Jolly, followed by Bojay.

Starbuck sighed dramatically. "Yeah well with friends like you, who needs enemies?"

"The night's young," Boomer replied with a wicked grin.