The pain meds were beginning to wear off as his head pounded. He tugged at his collar again, wondering what made it get tighter and tighter as the day wore on choking him.
"Whose brilliant idea was this to wait until so late in the day? I just want to get this over with and actually go and enjoy the plushest suite on the Rising Star." He turned to Apollo as the IFB crew snapped another holo.
"Blame your bride," Crius grumbled pulling at his own collar while he shrugged the cape out of the way. "I just want to get to the party. I need a little hair of the daggit that bit me last night."
"I need more than the hair. I want to bite that daggit back," Boomer added making Apollo chuckle.
"We're almost there," Apollo said looking to Jake who had been quiet since joining the others in the Astral Lounge before they were found by the IFB. "I heard you have a good party planned with some of the best Ambrosia that could be found before the destruction."
Jake's lips didn't part to utter a reply as he stiffly nodded.
"You okay?" Starbuck asked the young man. "You get drunk last night too?"
Thus far Jake had been tight-lipped about where he had been and what the Rats had been up to. He hadn't even offered any clues as to the party that lay ahead for them. Jake shook his head no to Starbuck's question, looked as if he was going to offer up more than the gesture, but then shrugged as the IFB approached to arrange them in a different pose.
"Starbuck, why don't you put an arm around your new brother-in-law," the photographer suggested.
Starbuck obliged and felt Jake go stiff as he mumbled low, "I'm not her brother."
"Then what are you," Starbuck said low. It came out harsher than he meant, and Jake pulled away. "Get back here," Starbuck commanded before turning to the photographer. "I need a centon. We're taking a break." He chased after Jake and threw his arm back around the young man, guiding him away from the steps leading up to the altar. "I think we need to talk."
"About what?" Jake muttered, the longest sentence he'd said since joining them.
Starbuck looked over to Apollo, Boomer and Crius, taking note of their concern about Jake as well. Apollo nodded to him encouragingly before Starbuck turned back to his new family member.
"Maybe this wasn't a good idea," he said taking in Jake's hooded eyes and scowl.
"What, the sealing? You back out now and I'll kill you and leave the rest for Rene to rip apart."
Starbuck flinched at the words. It wasn't what he expected. "I meant you being up there with me. So, you're not upset that I'm sealing with her? Then what is it that has you acting like you swallowed Borellian Nomen mong?"
Jake looked away, his lips going even tighter before he waved a hand at the room. "This. Here. Him." He gestured to Pallus who was speaking to Gage who had shown up to help Adama before the actual event began. "Everything."
Starbuck sighed. Communication with any of the Rats was as tricky as trying to sneak past a platoon of Centurions and as dangerous as defusing a bomb. "Just ignore him." Jake glared and grunted. "I think you are going to have to give me more than that, Jake. You can do it in hand signs if you want, I don't care, just tell me so I can fix it."
Jake jerked away from him. "Fix this? How are you going to fix this, Starbuck? You think you're a god now that you've got another gold cluster? You can bring the dead back to life and snap your fingers and make the journey to Earth be over?"
"Oh, this really isn't about me, is it?" Starbuck reached out to guide Jake even farther away from the others in the room.
"You really are an equine's astrum, aren't you?"
Starbuck recognized the angry look that Jake gave him. He knew that the words the young man uttered were meant to make Starbuck back away. He knew because it was what he had done himself a thousand times in the past, pushed away anyone who got too close because if he let them in, they were just going to hurt him and leave again. He and Jake shared the same wound, let down several times too many by the people they needed the most. It was easier to push everyone away rather than face that pain again. And today, Jake had to face that Ari wasn't going to be walking Rene down the aisle, nor would he be playing in the band at the celebration.
Starbuck slowly spun Jake so he could look him in the eye. "She tried to save Ari, we all did. We just got there too late and it's my fault. I should have done more. I'm sorry. If I could bring him back, I would." Starbuck's shot in the dark found its mark as Jake looked away blinking hard. "I know this isn't what you and Rene wanted, the fleet I mean. But I don't think what she had planned is what you wanted either."
Jake didn't look up, just froze in place when Starbuck reached out a hand to his shoulder, gripping him tight. "I couldn't have made that choice either. Just the two of you, or maybe the family, alone on a strange world with nothing but what you had with you. There'd be too many risks even for me. I'd rather face the whole Cylon empire than wind up marooned somewhere, and we both know that's what would have happened eventually without enough fuel or firepower to get away. You made the right choice to stay, I'm just sorry it didn't work out the way you wanted. The cards don't always fall in our favor, but you're still in the game, brother."
He felt Jake relax a little under his hand and he slid it up to the back of the man's neck. He was surprised that Jake let him tighten his hold.
"You're not at the table alone. Rene can dump me tomorrow, and you'll still be my brother, you got that?"
Jake nodded, his eyes still riveted on some point off to the side. Starbuck pulled him in, the same move he'd seen the Rats use with each other, no choice but to be eye to eye. Jake looked up, surprised at the contact as Starbuck leaned his forehead into the younger man's. "We go down, we go down together and we'll have a huge party in hades. You can teach me guitar. That will be Sagan's torture for you as it might take eternity to make me a decent musician."
Starbuck felt relieved when Jake snorted, not quite a laugh but close enough.
"Now don't make me face this felgercarb alone. We have only a few centons we have to get through, and then we can drink all that good ambrosia and fall down drunk. Deal?"
"Don't expect me to enjoy this," Jake said pulling back, his eyes going to those who were watching them.
"I wasn't. Besides, this is all about me, remember? You can enjoy them torturing me. That might get you to laugh a little." Starbuck slowly let go of his hold on Jake, feeling the man's shoulders drop almost an inch as he relaxed.
"It might," he tossed back. "Looks like it might be show time. Did you shine up your clown shoes?"
He didn't get a chance to utter a witty retort as Adama tapped him on the shoulder. "It's time, son. The guests will be ushered in and the broadcast is about to begin. Ready?"
He squared his shoulders, adjusted his cape and turned to the Commander. "Yes, sir. Ready to fly."
From there it became a blur of shaking hands of the arriving guests and being directed by the IFB. He was relieved when he saw Chameleon in the crowd, bringing Siress Blassie as his date. Starbuck excused himself from the group of Council members he was greeting to wade into the throng to be at his father's side. He was still getting used to idea of having a dad, but today he'd be doing more than getting sealed. He'd be announcing to the whole fleet that he was no longer an orphan.
"You made it!" he said as he awkwardly reached out his hand for a handshake, but Chameleon reached out an arm for a hug. Starbuck shifted for the hug, while Chameleon pulled back for the handshake.
"We'll figure this out eventually," Chameleon laughed as they hugged and shook hands at the same time.
"I have a seat for you up front," Starbuck said guiding Chameleon past the other guests. "At the party, there's a place for you at the family table too." Starbuck felt himself swell with pride as Chameleon said he didn't have to do all this just for him. "But you're my Dad," Starbuck answered and excused himself pretending not to notice Chameleon wiping at his eyes.
Starbuck had moved over to the front row where the Rat's kids were being corralled by Max, Nik, Jonas, Giles and Alex, with Cain and Jason trying to entertain the older ones. Lara rocked baby Zac in her arms.
"You look so handsome," Lara said and Starbuck found himself blushing a little.
"This old rag pales in comparison to your dress. You are going to break men's hearts." He reached to undo one of his insignia's reaching forward to pin it to Lara's dress. "There, now everyone knows you're mine and I will break their legs if they break your heart. Save a dance for me."
He felt a hand to his shoulder. "We're about to begin," Apollo said guiding Starbuck to the back of the chapel. "You ready?"
Starbuck looked out at the crowded sea of faces turned his way, then wistfully back at the doors to the room.
"Not thinking of bolting are you? It's a bit too late for that, Daddy," Boomer teased.
"No, I just would like to talk to her one more time, and see how she's holding up."
"Last I heard, she'll be joining you up there." Apollo pointed up the aisle to the altar.
"You sure about that? She's been known to run away," Jake teased.
"I think we would have been informed if she had," Adama stated coming to join them, followed by the IFB reporter who normally announced triad games and occasionally the evening news.
"We are a go in two centons," he said directing his audio receiver to Starbuck. "Any last words before you break the hearts of every woman in the fleet?"
"I'm no catch. Find yourself a better man and give Rene your condolences for getting stuck with my sorry self."
"You're a hero, Lieutenant," the announcer countered.
"Yeah, well then why do I suddenly feel so afraid?" His quip earned him a laugh from everyone around him.
"This is a true life and death mission, sealed for eternity" Adama joked back before he turned away and walked up the aisle beginning the ceremony.
Starbuck shivered at the thought of eternity. "One day at a time, one problem at a time," he mumbled to himself.
"Your turn." Crius nudged Jake who swallowed hard, squared his shoulders and began to walk.
"He looks more frightened than I am," Starbuck mused as Crius and Boomer fell in behind.
"You've got this," Apollo said before he turned and walked away. Starbuck made to follow but the reporter held him back.
"Not so fast. We need you to go slower so the camera gets a good solo shot of you."
Solo, that's how he'd be flying this mission, on his own with no intel and little backup. "You've already done this," he mumbled to himself. "This is just for show so let's go." He waited for the reporter to tell him when to go and then followed the man's advice as best he could, trying not to sprint up to the altar. Once in his place, Adama smiled his way and nodding that it was time for him to turn and face the aisle.
He counted down the microns that began to extend as he held his breath and the room waited. The music that he hadn't noticed until it changed, rose in volume as everyone in the room came to their feet. The crowd blocked his view and he craned his neck to see, taking a side step so he had a direct view of the doors. They parted and before him was a vision in white, stars twinkling almost blinding him, and a woman he thought he might recognize. He audibly gasped as he realized it was Rene, looking lovelier than he had ever imagined. She glowed like the dawn of a new day that he was anxious to begin. Instinctually he started down the steps to meet her but Adama reached out a hand to stay him. He held his position, mesmerized by the sight of her. His eyes took in the vision in white, that is until the commotion off to his side drew his attention away.
A voice shouted, "No fraking way!"
"Jake, stay here. Don't do it!" Crius was struggling with the young man, a hand to his chest trying to get him to hold his position, but Jake broke free and was dashing down the stairs, shrugging off Crius's hold.
Boomer hissed at him, "Where are you going?"
Conscious of the crowd, and his commander's hand holding him back, Starbuck could only stand and watch as Jake stalked down the aisle, blocking the view of his bride. The young man halted in front of Rene, reaching for her arm. Starbuck looked back to Adama, seeking permission to go find out what was going on, but Adama shook his head and appeared just as bewildered. Starbuck shifted his gaze to Apollo in confusion, wondering what he should do. Apollo nodded to him, took a step down the altar stairs to head down the aisle and deal with the problem for his friend, then halted. His friend poised there, a hand held out to Starbuck to wait.
Starbuck stared back down the aisle to the scene that was playing out in front of all of the fleet and his friends. Jake was going to steal Rene away from him and he wasn't going to be able to do anything about it, not here and now anyway. There were too many eyes viewing the scene as the cameras were focused on Rene.
"I may have screwed up last night, but she's still mine, isn't she?" Starbuck wasn't ready to just give up. This would be a fight, and an ugly one. The scrawny street rat might win. Not only did he not fight fair but Jake probably felt he had more rights to Rene. He had known her longer and Rene had her children with him, maybe even the one she was still carrying. It would motivate the young warrior to really show how capable he truly was to win. If Jake could bring down the big lummox Avery in a move or two, unarmed he might be able to wipe the floor with Starbuck.
"Why couldn't he have done this earlier when the cameras weren't on," he whispered to Apollo, but his friend shook his head not knowing the answer. Starbuck cursed under his breath as he wished Jake had acted before Starbuck had grown attached to Rene and the idea of being a father. "He knows we have to get unsealed first doesn't he?" Starbuck mused to himself.
He shifted his gaze to Rene, wondering what she would do, whose side would she choose? The old voice from his childhood whispered maliciously in his ear, "No one really wants you. You knew she'd abandon you eventually. Do you really think you deserved the happy ending?"
Their eyes met for a moment and he tried not to convey all the hurt and anger he felt inside as she looked to him in sorrow then turned away, her gaze focused on the man who was escorting her. It wasn't until that moment that Starbuck noticed it was Gage who was walking her down the aisle as Jake physically shoved the Colonel.
"Frak this," Starbuck said aloud pulling away from the Commander and descending the stairs. He hissed a warning to Apollo, "This is going to be a fight. A big one."
Apollo held out his hand, stalling Starbuck from going down the aisle to do something that might get him tossed in the brig or out of the service. Apollo whispered, "Easy Starbuck, he'll handle it," showing more faith in Gage that he could solve this without violence. Starbuck turned back to the commotion to find Rene's eyes searching for his. He tried to communicate with her the best strategy to defuse the situation, except he had nothing to offer. Rene read something in his face as she gently let go of Gage's arm and reached for Jake's. Soft word's passed between the two before the young warrior turned and surveyed the crowd and the distance up the aisle to Starbuck. Jake grinned in victory and the young man squared his shoulders to reposition the chip he carried there.
Starbuck sighed in resignation. The two wouldn't be sneaking out the back of the chapel leaving him stranded to deal with the IFB and the crowd. Jake was bringing the fight to him. "If that's how he wants it, that's what he's going to get," Starbuck thought as he prepared himself for the show down. His sight was drawn back to Rene. She was so damn lovely. How could anyone think she was a Sewer Rat? She was a beautiful woman, glowing like a beacon in the dark. His heart thumped hard just before it broke into a thousand pieces.
Rene and Jake halted at the bottom of the stairs to the altar. Starbuck wondered if they were waiting for him to relinquish his spot, but that wasn't going to happen. The moment grew long and tense as Jake met his angry glare. A wicked smirk spread Jake's grin wider as he nodded to Starbuck, then looked up to Adama. "As Protector, I relinquish my responsibility to Starbuck."
Starbuck jerked as if waking up from a nightmare, looking to Adama in confusion. The Commander seemed nearly as disoriented as he asked the words by rote, "Who here gives this woman away as protector?"
"I do," Jake said. "I just did, in fact."
"It's traditional to await the official question, but I'm heartened to see your enthusiasm," Adama replied with a paternal smile. "Will the Protector of Rene accept relinquishing his responsibilities to Starbuck, the man to whom she has consented to marry?"
"Yes," Jake answered then took the stairs bringing Rene up to Starbuck, placing her hand in his as Jake laid his own hand above theirs. Starbuck looked to Jake in confusion until the young man leaned closer to him and whispered quietly, "We all go down together." Jake turned to Rene, kissing her on the cheek and before moving back to his spot in the line of groomsmen.
"Really? Me not him?" Starbuck looked to Rene, hope pulling together the pieces of his heart.
Rene nodded, a ghost of a sarcastic smirk on her lips as she whispered, "Did you think I would do that to you? You have that little trust in me, in us?"
He shook his head unable to admit the truth to her. "You look beautiful," he blurted out. Adama cleared his throat to silence him. Starbuck ignored Adama as the Commander began to give his speech about the joining of two worlds, the coming together of forces to fight together for success. It was a long speech.
"You doing okay?" Starbuck whispered to her.
She nodded smiling. "Yeah. This isn't so bad so far."
"Well it's not over yet," he said as Adama indicated with a small cough that the two of them should be paying attention to the ceremony and their guests, not just to each other.
Rene took a quick peek at the crowd and fear clouded her eyes before Starbuck squeezed her hands twice. "Just you and me. Ignore them. This is about us."
He felt the cracks in his heart heal as she locked her deep blue eyes on his, begging him to rescue her. "I've got this, he said nodding down to his medals and feeling like he could fly without a viper when she nodded to him smiling.
"Do you, Starbuck, take this woman to be your mate for life," Adama commanded rather than asked, trying to let him know that this was serious and to stop making a mockery of all this.
A thousand sarcastic quips ran through his mind but under the circumstances he decided to settle for the traditional answer. "I do."
Rene was asked the same questions, even the honor and obey, and answered with a hopeful gleam. "I do."
Adama took their hands and wrapped the official medallion around them, binding them together, but Starbuck knew he had been bound to her by a tether far stronger than any chain since the first moment he gazed into her eyes.
"The words I am about to speak are the most important in the universe. It seals a union between this man and this woman for all of the eternities. Starbuck and Rene and I proclaim you sealed."
Starbuck quirked his eyebrows before challenging Rene, "Ready?" Her smile broadened in agreement. He stepped forward, taking her in his arms, dipping her down as he planted one of the best kisses of his life on her. The crowd gasped at the maneuver before breaking out in loud applause, and still he kept kissing her, waiting for his squadron to whoop in approval as his cue to end the kiss.
Carefully he brought Rene back to her feet before beginning the procession back down the aisle, to walk under the arms of their attendants, and then the arms of blue squadron. They were laughing by the time they were through as their friends pushed and jostled them forward. Starbuck tried to play the good host and greet everyone as they left the hall to head for the celebration, but he couldn't take his eyes away from Rene who glowed with happiness. He would willingly drown in her eyes right now. He hadn't seen her this happy in a long time and he wanted it to last forever.
"Oh that was just lovely! Time for some pictures to capture the moment." Vanna clapped and guided the two of them back into the chapel. He hardly noticed how long it took to take the holos, one after another, his focus was on Rene and he couldn't help himself from kissing her over and over again. Delightfully, she laughed each time and he tried not to wonder at the worried look just behind the smile.
He got a mumbled apology from Jake, but the little vermin moved away from him before he could ask what the frak he had meant by replacing Gage. Instead he remained determined to get the holo he wanted of him with all of Rene's kids, Jason and Cain beaming while Starbuck let go of Rene for the first time so he could hold Kalea, Leia and even Kiff in his arms. He didn't realize it had been almost a centaur of photos when Zara scolded Vanna.
"The guests are waiting and the ice sculptures are melting. Are you done yet?"
"Yes, I guess we are," Vanna pouted.
They entered the celebration to cheers and were escorted straight to the cake. "What no dinner?" Starbuck asked, before realizing their guests had already eaten while they were busy with the IFB.
"So, cake first, alright. I could get used to this," he said taking the plate handed him, about to take a bite when Vanna almost yanked it out of his hand.
"You feed it to her."
"Oh, yeah," he grinned mischievously remembering that at many celebrations this is where the bride and groom mash each other's face in the icing.
"We spent a lot of time on the makeup and hair and have a lot of filming still to do. Don't you dare!" Zara warned him. "You stand here and go first." Zara moved Rene to her spot handing her a plate.
Rene ran her fingers through the icing before offering it up to Starbuck, her eyebrow raised in a challenge. He took that gamble and sucked her finger into his mouth making a show of licking all the icing off, before running his own finger through his icing. He offered it to Rene, but before she could lick his finger, he reached forward and dabbed just a little on her nose as she laughed in surprise. Then he leaned forward to kiss it off before offering her the icing.
"Are you sure you aren't willing to do a weekly show on the IFB, you're a natural," Zara said guiding the two of them towards the dance floor.
"This is a one-time performance," he said keeping his eyes on the beautiful sight before him. The dress fit Rene's every curve. She seemed to be floating amongst the stars. He took her in his arms as the music began. It was a slow song and surprisingly, Jake did know a love song.
"So, is this what you stole from Caprica along with my heart?" Starbuck asked.
"You don't have to feed me lines. You already hooked me," Rene replied. "And yes. Once I saw it, I knew I had to have it." She smiled at her own double meaning.
"I'm all yours," he said, giving her a twirl before dipping her to the floor, then pulling her back up into his arms. He was glad he had paid attention to the dance lessons given at the Academy before their first military ball as the crowd applauded.
Another song began, but Starbuck wasn't ready to give up their first private moment in the last couple of cycles. He held her and their position on the dance floor as others joined them.
"How much longer until they go away," she said looking toward Vanna who was trying to frantically wave them over in another direction for the cameras.
Starbuck consulted his chrono, "Just one more centaur I think. Then we can disappear to that honeymoon suite. I've never slept in a bed that big."
"You won't be sleeping." Rene winked and it was his turn to laugh.
"Oh, what will I be doing, playing pyramid?" he teased.
"Building blanket forts with the kids," she teased back.
"Then I will lock us both up in the turbo and we can try out that tub."
They couldn't delay any longer when the song ended as Vanna came and hauled them from the dance floor to officially begin the feast and take their seats at the head table. There was a prayer and then speeches and toasts. Starbuck wanted to remember them all, especially when the Commander called him son before he gave his toast welcoming Rene and her family into his family. He would never forget when Chameleon rose to his feet, announced he was Starbuck's long-lost father, before he choked up and thanked Rene and him for letting an old conman into their lives.
Starbuck would be asking the IFB for a copy of the vid of Apollo's speech to use as blackmail against him in the coming yahrens. Apollo had come to his feet, swaying a little before Boomer had to prop him up. He slurred Starbuck's name at first, before beginning again.
"Starbuck, I guess it's official. Hades must have frozen over." The crowd laughed, some politely, others uproariously. "Folks, over the yahrens Starbuck has been a great friend, a great warrior and the best viper pilot in the fleet." He hesitated as he took another swig of his drink. "Just ask him."
"It has been a long strange quest that we are on, and we have a longer journey before us full of danger and the unknown. With you, Starbuck, I know it won't be boring, and you always seem to find a pretty girl to save." He paused. "Or maybe this time she saved you, buddy. It gives me hope to see you going forward . . . and growing up . . . " A few women tittered. "I meant old actually . . . really I did . . ." More laughter and a few jeers were offered. "With someone as brave and smart . . . and strong and brave . . . and brave and beautiful . . . as Rene the Brave."
Once again the pilots exploded into laughter. Rene leaned towards Starbuck asking in a low voice, "Is he drunk?"
Starbuck chuckled. "Yeah, he is. Shhh, let him finish. This ought to be good."
"The IFB is going to kill him," she said but he shushed her.
"You have created a family in this ragtag fleet, and then adopted even more family along the way, and soon will be adding even more to our fleet. Family, that's what you are all about, what you have made all of us into against the odds despite our hang-ups, faults and differences. You bring us together, making us stronger than we were before . . . even if it is just to drink your ambrosia and admire your ability to cheat at cards . . ." More laughter and jeers. " I meant cheat the odds, really I did. As you launch into this new adventure together, even more sealed than you were before, may you continue to swindle Sagan . . . and your squadron mates . . . even while your wife tries to rein in your roguish ways— a little half-heartedly, I might add— while the other half of the time she one-ups you." Apollo paused and raised a glass to Rene. "Never before have I met two people more perfectly suited for each other, and I mean that sincerely, it's not just the ambrosia talking. Good luck and may the blessing of the Lords of Kobol be upon you both." Apollo lifted his glass then clinked it against Starbuck's. "Oh, and I'll see you both back at your desks at the dawn of the next cycle."
Starbuck laughed at the joke, and wanted to threaten his friend that he would get back at him, but he was too busy enjoying the lovely lady beside him. Rene was gorgeous in the dress with the plunging neckline and gems sparkling.
He could have sat there all night holding Rene's hand, but Zara pulled the two from their chairs, guiding them around the room to speak to their honored guests, the cameras broadcasting the party for all the fleet. Zara had to introduce many of them to Starbuck while he pretended to know the Sires and Siresses who he had only met in passing on a few occasions, usually when Apollo was busy defying them with his friends as back up.
Starbuck sighed heavily as they were guided away from Robber and his wife to another Sire and Siress he barely knew. He wanted to spend more time with the family from Proteus as Robber had hit it off with Rene, the two laughing and joking like old friends. It warmed Starbuck's heart when Robber said he would help with their move over to the Zakar and offered to cook the family their first meal once settled. It was an important step in the right direction when Rene accepted, but then Zara was there pulling them away. Starbuck checked his chrono as Rene faked pleasantries with another respected member of the fleet. Just a little longer and then they could disappear and he could have his wife all to himself.