Once in the corridor, Starbuck told his wife and his wing mate to just head into the party, he'd provide cover and take care of the IFB. He rounded the corner first, putting on his most disarming smile.
"Zara, long time, no see. So, Beautiful, I was wondering if you could do me a favor?"
"We will be leaving soon," she said defensively, noticing Rene and Crius sneaking back into the party. Starbuck's charm never seemed to work on her, and the other commentator just liked to talk Triad. Starbuck lowered the voltage on his smile.
"Oh good, but actually I was thinking about something else. My wife said you had a picture of her brothers. I was wondering if I could see it?"
Zara's features softened. "Of course."
Her fingers flew across a handheld view screen, then she handed it to him. It was the traditional family photo taken at an Academy induction ceremony. The older young man he guessed was her brother Daniel. Rene was right, Ari looked a lot like him, but even more shocking was a much younger Rene in the holo. She and her older brother shared the same eyes as well as the same little quirk to their grins. Rene had to be younger than twelve as puberty hadn't caught up to her yet, but Ari was sporting a few blemishes, as well as some features like his ears and his nose looking more adult compared to his eyes and his chin. Starbuck wondered briefly who had taken the holo as their father had died long before this moment. Was it Adama's brother, the one who had fostered the children, or was it some other random guardian?
"Can I get a copy of this?" he asked.
"Of course. I can send you all the holos we have as we pulled them from fleet records." Zara took note of his observations of the image. "I believe this was about three yahrens before her older brother perished in an academy training accident. Our records indicate a change in the information and images beyond his death. We chose not to show the images taken by the local authorities as they logged her arrests, just as we did not show yours."
"That was uncharacteristically decent of you," Starbuck quipped before handing her back the view screen fighting down the annoyance that this reporter knew more than he did about Rene's past. "But they can be found in the fleet records?"
"Yes, I can show you a few if you like."
He hesitated, but Zara had the photos brought up on the view screen before he could make the decision.
"You both had your first run in with the law at thirteen, but your crimes were a bit different and less frequent. Hers are mostly for theft and breaking and entering. There are numerous reports of her being reported as a runaway, almost weekly once she reaches fourteen. I assume when she was older she became better at evading the authorities."
Starbuck didn't correct the reporter about his own record. He had several run ins before he entered secondary school, but several yahrens ago Adama had used his connections to expunge those records as an academy graduation gift. He wasn't able to eliminate them all, just the ones that might be embarrassing to the record of an officer. Rene didn't have those kinds of connections and he suspected Dante didn't care about the records of the Rats or didn't have access to them on the Zakar.
Starbuck looked at the young face, seeing the hints of the woman she would become. She looked frightened in her first couple of arrests, but as the yahrens proceeded, she perfected her surly sneer. The last one in the long procession went back to her looking more frightened than rebellious.
"What is this arrest for?" he asked betting that Zara would know.
"That one? Drug trafficking. She was caught as a stowaway on a freighter returning from Aquarius. However, she was not prosecuted. The charges were dropped due to a technicality. She seems to have avoided consequences from then on for her brushes with the law. There are records indicating she was picked up often, but not booked on charges, avoiding arrests."
"Huh." He wondered why, but he had a sneaky suspicion he knew how Rene talked her way out of any charges placed upon her. She was adept at blackmail, and when that didn't work, she had other resources available, made evident by the revealing outfit she was wearing in the last holo.
As he analysed her face and the fear in her eyes, he realized Zara was accurate in her assessment, Rene and Starbuck had far more in common than others had previously thought. Not only were their crimes similar, but also their luck in avoiding hard time. Their techniques might be a little different however, or were they? In her younger pictures, and even now, Rene had a beauty that bordered on the girl next door with her splash of freckles across her nose, the sun streaks of gold in her hair and the warmth of her skin. She wasn't voluptuous or overtly seductive, but the subtle hint of athleticism, mixed with a youthful glow were more than enough to draw a man's attention. It had drawn his, but she also had a boldness to her. From the look in her eyes in the younger pictures, maybe she had been even brazen back then. But audacious enough to talk her way out of charges? No, that was Starbuck's specialty.
He thought back to the multiple times he was brought in for offenses, some minor, some more serious. Looking back now with the wisdom of the yahrens, he'd been more than a little scared most of the times, but had relied on his skill at appearing insouciant. He had joked with the booking agents, chatted amiably with the officers. He had avoided being brought in on numerous occasions just by being friendly with the officers when they nabbed him. One time on the drive in to the station he'd talked the officers into pulling him over and letting him go. If they brought him in, once at the station it was his same personality that would bring more help, either a guardian or a friend of a friend who had more than a passing interest in him who could talk the officials out of charging him. If not for that, the record Adama would have had to expunge would have filled a data pad.
And much like Rene, he kept that information to himself. He realized looking at the holos of Rene's past record, he hadn't shared much with his wife about his life before he became a warrior. He'd talked about being an orphan, discussed his various foster homes, but his descriptions had been succinct and vague. Holding this view screen in his hand, he had more information on Rene than she had about him. He wanted to laugh at the irony. Here he'd been lecturing her about trusting others, and he hadn't shown much faith in her.
The double edge of that ironic sword was that knowing her checkered past had made it easier for him to be with her. She had matured beyond her years in the same streets he had roamed getting into the same mischief and mayhem. Despite how beautiful and mysterious she could be; he knew she had flaws that made it easier for him to show her his own failings.
Zara interrupted his thoughts. "She did graduate from secondary school. I think we have that holo somewhere here, and she did apply for the academy. It was rejected due to her arrest record and her scores weren't exceptional, not like yours where the academy chose to overlook your previous offenses."
"Well, I had some help." Starbuck alluded vaguely to his friendship with Apollo and his association with wealthy sponsors.
"You did know about all this before you asked her to seal with you, didn't you?" Zara asked, pretending to be looking down at the view screen as she probed for information.
"I would really appreciate the holo, just the one with her brothers. Thanks for the help. I'd stay and chat, but I have a party to get back to."
He didn't wait for Zara to confirm that she would be sending him the images. He walked away while she called his name. He had already given the IFB reporter far too much information. He was pretty sure that by next secton, the shine would wear off this sealing and Zara would be back to dishing dirt on him and Rene.
When he entered the reception room, he actually looked to see if there was a way to lock the door, but he couldn't locate it. He'd have to hope that Zara would honor their agreement and leave them be for the rest of the evening.
Scanning the room, he located Rene sitting with Sheba and Apollo back up at the main table for the wedding party. He took a seat by Rene, noting that she was trying to eat something and helping Sheba to get Apollo to eat.
"Sstarbuck, Bucko, old Buddy," his friend greeted him.
"He has severely underestimated the quality and potency of the ambrosia being served," Sheba offered in the way of an apology.
"It's okay, he's earned a good drunk," Starbuck said reaching for Rene's hand. She cast him a dreamy smile. She looked much better and he vowed he would deal with Salik if the plant vapors showed up on any tests he might run. He would argue their necessity in helping with the stress and keeping her heart rate down.
He searched her face for hints of the young woman he had seen in the holos. It wasn't hard to find, there weren't that many yahrens in between, but there was little trace of the fear and more hints of the rebel with the surly sneer. He wondered briefly what changes others might see in him from his arrest record holos? He was certain that they would find more fear in his eyes now than they had back then. He'd been so green and naïve, thinking the worst thing in life was time in a detention cell. Now he knew there were fates graver than imprisonment as the vision swam before his eyes of Rene strapped to a table, her and his child about to be subjected to Cylon torture, and all he could do was hang in the clutches of two centurions and listen to her scream.
He turned away, reaching for a glass, any glass, not caring what it might contain. He got lucky as the liquor was strong, and he let it burn away the image before he turned back to fix his eyes upon Rene again, holding on to that lovely smile hoping to the Lords this wasn't all a dream. He took another drink. He'd earned a good drunk too and Apollo was ahead of him.
Rene read his mind, squeezing his hand twice before whispering, "Pace yourself, I have a bet to win."
"Oh no you don't," Sheba said reaching for the bottle on the table and pouring the rest of it in her own glass. "Odds are in my favor, and I already lost the one on Apollo, but I think I might break even with the bet I have on Giles." Sheba gestured across the room to their friend at the bar. "I think he is about to do it. You need to throw the bouquet," Sheba prompted Rene.
"Oh yeah. Get the girls all together," Rene replied.
"What's going on?" Starbuck asked, reaching for the ambrosia glass in front of Apollo. Draining the contents seemed to be the best assistance he could provide to the situation.
"Giles is going to propose to Maia. I think he's just trying to work up the courage," Sheba said pointing to their friend who was downing a shot of some confidence, and then another.
"Okay, you get the girls. Split your cubits with me and I'll get the lucky sap. I don't want to be the only married guy in the squadron." Starbuck got up, reaching into his pocket, finding the ring Rene had given him from her old boyfriend. He hadn't found time to give it to Crius so his wing mate could figure the best solution that would honor Kenan. It had followed Starbuck from pants pocket to pants pocket, haunting him like the ghost of the man shadowing his relationship. Starbuck and Rene had enough former lovers in their marriage, he didn't need dead men joining the crowd. He could fight the living. The ring had been forgotten in the chaos of the sendoff and the sealing. Now he might have a solution on his own for freeing the phantom.
He brushed past many of his friends to reach Giles. He put an arm around his friend. "So I heard you're going to do it, make it legal with Maia," he began without preamble.
"Yeah, I mean, if you can do it, I can right? Besides, the Commander says I have to go back to barracks here soon and…" Giles shrugged, looking as green and nervous as a raw recruit.
"You got this. She's crazy about you," Starbuck reassured him.
"She's so gorgeous. She could have anyone. She was a cheerleader for the Caprica City Triad Team, did you know that? She was famous. I'm just a guy from a Caprican city far from anywhere." Giles wiped his brow having broken out in a cold sweat.
"Calm down. She likes you. You make her laugh. I always told you, get them laughing and you can get them." Starbuck ignored the glare Giles gave him. "Do you have a ring?"
"Lords, no. I've been spending all my cubits taking her out and trying to show her a good time. She deserves it after what she's been through. I figured maybe I could borrow some money from Greenbean, or maybe Jolly."
Starbuck pulled the ring from his pocket. "Give this to her. She won't be able to say no."
"Really? Are you sure?" Giles looked at the ring in wonder. "She loves purple. This is perfect, but how…how did you know? You can afford this and…"
Starbuck cut him off, putting his arm around him again and beginning to guide him towards the group of women that were gathering. "I've got you covered. You're family. Let's go make it official."
He enjoyed the show Rene put on teasing that she was going to throw her bouquet to the crowd, but then switched up her over the shoulder toss, instead turning around and lobbing the handful of flowers to Maia while the other gals showered her with petals.
"Go get her!" Starbuck pushed Giles in Maia's direction. The man stumbled, tripping to both his knees at Maia's feet, holding the ring up in the process.
"Will you marry me?" He blurted it out so fast, he had to repeat it for her to understand. Maia's squeal nearly burst the eardrums of everyone in the room before she broke into happy tears as she nodded her head several times. "Yes? You're saying yes?" Giles gave a loud whoop as he stood up and took the gal into his arms, pulling back just long enough to slip the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit.
Maia spun around to show the ring to the women around her. Starbuck watched as Rene admired the ring, a hand going to her mouth. Starbuck was afraid he'd made a mistake, but then Rene dropped her hand, nodding to Maia, before stepping towards him, stopping just out of his reach. He couldn't read her emotions as she looked down for a moment, then looked back up wiping at one of her eyes.
"Thank you," she said softly.
He had a thousand things to say to her, but Jake had struck up the band, another loud love song. Starbuck reached for her hand, pulling her to him. She felt so good as she melted into his arms.
"Have I told you yet how beautiful you are?" he whispered and felt her shiver.
She pulled back, gazing lovingly up at him and he thought his heart was going to bust through his uniform and destroy his medals. "I'm glad they left your face alone last night. There was talk of shaving eyebrows. Have I told you how handsome you are?"
"No as a matter of fact, you have not given me my daily dose of compliments. You may have to make up for it later, alone, in that big bed waiting for us." He teased her, enjoying the rise he got out of her as her eyes sparked nearly as bright as the gems on her dress.
"Mmm, tempting, but so is this." She laid her head upon his chest, swaying along to the music. If only he could freeze time, he could live in this moment forever. He closed his eyes and tried to make it so.
But the music changed, and Max tapped him on the shoulder cutting in to dance a livelier tune with Rene. Starbuck went looking for Lara, giving her the dance he had promised. The tune ended, but Jake was far from done, beginning a song that most of those from Dilmun seemed to recognize as they poured onto the dance floor. He pulled Rene out of Max's arms into his own, only to be tapped on the shoulder by Apollo.
"My turn," he said, but Starbuck spun Rene away.
"Go get your own girl. I rescued this one fair and square. You were going to leave us with the Cylons."
He regretted the joke as Apollo's smile fell and he looked like he might burst into tears. He was saved from having to apologize by Sheba who came up to have Apollo dance with her.
He didn't know how many songs they danced to as in the end it just turned into all of them on the dance floor singing at the top of their lungs and passing drinks around. He had to give the Rats some credit, they threw a good party.
Once the music took its turn from classic tunes to more modern songs, Adama escorted out the last of the Sires and Siresses. It was time for the family to have the celebration they deserved. Adama finally was able to sit down, his duties completed. He took a seat, not at the head table in front of the room, but one at a table hidden in the corner behind the band, avoiding the worst of the decibels of the angry music that had risen in tempo and volume. He brought the glass of ambrosia to his lips, a fine blend with a hint of citrus. He recognized the maker on the label, a distillery near where he used to vacation with his wife and family, and he remembered back to the times when he and Ila would watch the children play in the waning light of a tropical sunset.
"Ila, if only," he mused wistfully as he observed his remaining children and their families. Adama had been skeptical of Athena and Bojay's union. Both had approached their dating and their union more like a political alliance, more practical than romantic. He reasoned at the time that maybe Athena's many failed attempts with the overly romantic infamous Starbuck had soured her on dramatic overtures. She had put aside her childish dreams for adult realities. But watching her and Bojay now sharing a drink and talking at their table as if they were the only two in the room gave him hope that maybe they just appeared sedate in public, but in private they shared something more. Athena caught him watching her, and held up a glass to him in acknowledgement, not only that she noticed his gaze, but the event had turned out better than expected.
Yes, this had turned out well despite its inauspicious beginnings. Surprisingly, Rene and her family had kept their issues and squabbles to the Galactica. Any drama had come from Starbuck, but Adama suspected that was more the fault of Blue Squadron than the Lieutenant's unruly life. The Lieutenant had been nearly stoic at the ceremony, that is until the kiss, and he was properly entertaining at the reception. Maybe it was time to promote the hot headed pilot. If he could control this family and his own emotions, he might be able to manage a squadron and perhaps even a command of his own.
His eye was drawn to the gems and sparkles that easily identified the happy couple. They were locked in each other's arms pretending to dance, lost in their own world while the party swirled around them. He was looking forward to watching their world grow with the addition of Starbuck's child. Fatherhood might just be the element many others had sought to temper the wild young man. If nothing else, the family had provided him enough scuffles and scrapes to prevent him from creating ones of his own. He had held them together and attempted to fix their problems. Adama focused on Rene, noting that despite the glow on her face, there was a darkness to the young woman that reminded him not every problem could be washed away with loud music and ambrosia.
Would he always have to coerce her into proper behavior? Would she ever trust him and his presence in her life? He had agreed to his son's proposal that the family move to the Zakar despite his own misgivings. He knew the move would delay Rene's ability to integrate into the fleet and Adama's command. It would isolate the copper squadron once again, but he suspected that the distance might help give all of them more time to find their way. He knew it would help Rene to begin to process the abuses she suffered while on the Zakar, and encourage her to view life differently with a different command.
He would miss the squadron, despite the headaches and sleepless nights they had brought to his life. They had also brought many elements that he had not realized that, like his own daughter, he had left behind as childish and impractical. They brought the ideals of family, accepting each other despite their faults and differences. The Rats fought hard to hang onto their joy. They fiercely protected their children and the hope for the future they represented. Despite his belief in the fleet's course and the eventuality of finding the Thirteenth tribe and Earth, he now needed those visual reminders of hope. The birth of little Ila had helped to bring the small flame of hope to life, but the child was so like her own mother, quiet and calm. Something about the happy chaos of the Copper Squadron had breathed life and color into the small light turning it into a beacon that could guide him.
He knew it was also true for his own son. Apollo had dimmed over the years, ground down by his duty and demands of the fleet. It had begun with the death of his wife, and while Starbuck had tried to keep his friend's spirits up, it seemed to be a task that Starbuck could not accomplish alone.
Finding other survivors from the Colonies had lit a flame of hope for the Galactica. Their number of pilots had grown and with it a sense of security in the increased fighting force. This sealing had been scheduled to highlight that fact for the rest of the fleet, to sway their skepticism so that they could see what Adama had witnessed. The added population and this union would move them into a brighter future. At the very least, the sealing gave the fleet a reason to celebrate and feel a bit of joy if only for one evening.
It was too early to know if the broadcast of the sealing and the reception had achieved Adama's goal, but It had relaxed Apollo enough to where he could finally lower his inhibitions. Maybe it was the refocus of the public eye upon Starbuck versus the newly promoted Colonel, but Apollo had allowed himself to feast, drink and enjoy himself. His son had taken to the dance floor with Sheba, joining his former wing mate and forever friend as the two attempted to keep up with the timing of the music. Not well, he noted, but he thought their laughter and happy banter probably made up for any toe stomping. Sheba had thrown back her head numerous times in laughter. She was good for his son. He just wished his eldest would realize that before it was too late.
The thought made him turn to his own date for the evening. Siress Tinia was not nearly as lovely as Ila had been in her youth, but then again, Adama was no longer a young man either. The council woman was far different from his previous wife, and maybe that was the attraction. Much like his own daughter, it was probably a relationship born of practicality, but that was enough for now.
Tinia raised her glass to him. "This has been successful. I think it would have been better to include the older children in the ceremony, especially those that come from the fleet, such as the tall blonde and Apollo's son. It would encourage more citizens of the fleet to step forward to take in the orphans. Starbuck's bride is right; a whole ship of orphans is a disgrace to the fleet."
"I was of the same mind, but it was not my choice. Rene was quite clear that the children are her wards to command, not mine. She thought to protect the children and not to scare away any others that may join the family."
"Yet you have not followed her suggestions about the orphans." Tinia looked away to the dance floor for a micron to soften her criticism before turning back to him. "I have decided to follow her example. Despite my busy schedule, I am sponsoring an adolescent from the orphan ship."
Adama was taken aback. As far as he was aware, before the destruction Tinia had focused on her career and had not chosen to have children.
He found himself asking, "Are you sure? This is not like taking in children before the exodus. They…" He paused, unable to express the horrors many of the children had witnessed and how lacking the fleet had been in resources to help. Everyone was dealing with a loss of a family member and their home.
"I know it will be challenging, but I had hoped you might offer some assistance and your wisdom." Tinia smiled at him and it spoke of a commitment to a future together.
"Of course," he said, hating how distant the words sounded even to his own ears. He needed to follow the hopeful path he wished for his own children. "I mean, yes, I would like that very much." He raised his glass to her to seal the bargain. "What I would like even more is for a dance with you."
"Oh my, I don't think this music is quite my style." She laughed and he admired the lines around her eyes that spoke of past laughter.
"I think I can remedy that. I know someone in the band." Adama winked as he got to his feet. He stepped onto the stage, waited for the song to end before approaching Nik.
"I would like to request a song, something by the Monarch if you would. Something I can dance to." He tried not to laugh out loud at Nik's look of shock.
"The Monarch?" Nik followed Adama's gaze to Tinia before giving him a knowing grin. "I know just the one."
"I knew you would." Adama patted the young man on the back before Nik turned away to speak with Jake. It was a short moment later when the notes began to play,
"Would you grant me this dance?"
Tinia looked yahrens younger as she gracefully took his hand. Much to Adama's surprise it was Nik's voice that crooned the words.
"I love you because you understand dear, every single thing I try to do. You're always there to lend a helping hand, dear. I love you most of all because you're you."
It was the perfect song he thought to himself. All of this, it was perfect and he moved himself and Tinia closer to Rene and Starbuck, jostling the Lieutenant to get his attention before mouthing to him his appreciation. "Thank you, son."
Starbuck nodded in acceptance with a knowing smirk. "You're next," the pilot mouthed to him before moving away laughing.
He might be, but it would be a private affair. He would let Starbuck and Rene keep the spotlight. It was where they belonged as they basked in the light of their newfound love.
The band finally quit playing, and Starbuck thought it was their cue to head off to the honeymoon suite, but instead Nik put on some recorded music, songs Starbuck didn't remember, and the dancing and the drinking continued until he finally was able to drag Rene from the dance floor. She and most of her friends found chairs to collapse into, reaching for food and drink to sustain them for another round. Starbuck surveyed the room, taking in the view of all his friends and family enjoying themselves. It wasn't until he laid his eyes upon Jake with some gal on his lap that Starbuck thought he remembered from the Eaglebash, that he began to notice those who were missing from the party.
Cassiopeia wasn't here, or Jake wouldn't be nuzzling the neck of the pretty brunette. In fact, Starbuck couldn't recall having seen Cassiopeia at all. He scanned the room and his memory for any hint that she might have been at the ceremony or the celebration. No, he didn't remember seeing her and for some stupid reason that made him sad that she hadn't come to wish him well. He thought that they were at least friends now, that she understood that he hadn't meant to hurt her. But he wasn't so drunk that he didn't recognize that the proposal had begun a swift end to their relationship. Maybe she needed more time. He certainly hadn't given her that, but life was short and he wasn't willing to give anything time. As he looked around the room, he realized he had gotten exactly what he had wanted out of the offer he had made Cassie, just with a different woman. Had it been that bad with Cassie and he hadn't noticed? Even in his ambrosia soaked brain, he knew that wasn't true either.
He shook off the maudlin mood and counted the friends who had come, all of blue squadron, most of silver spar, as well as friends he had made around the fleet. Robber and his wife were still there, chatting with the Commander who had lingered. Chameleon was also still here, sharing a story with Apollo and Sheba.
He'd remembered seeing Avery and his wife at the ceremony, plus Wyatt, or was it Wylie? He couldn't remember the guy's name, just that he was a decent fellow compared to the rest of Avery's people, but he hadn't seen them at the celebration after the dancing and the toasts. He recognized some of the faces from the Eaglebash. He wasn't sure if he had seen them at the ceremony, but they had definitely shown up to the party and were keeping it going strong. He found himself counting, as if he was in battle, dividing up the members on his side and Rene's side. At this point in the late evening, Rene's were nearly double his. Only, there seemed to be important people missing besides Cassie. Doctor Salik had been invited, but didn't attend for some reason, and the thought made him look again for the other Doctor prominent in their lives.
He leaned over and tried to speak with Rene over the music. "Didn't you invite Dixon?"
She nodded and leaned in closer so he could hear her. "Long story. He said…," she hesitated and he motioned for her to go on. "He said that I already have a problem with getting too close to some people and that he should keep his distance. Not sure what he meant, but he didn't come."
The explanation was a bit odd, but then again, made some sense. The man did know a lot about Rene, spent time with her alone. She was a beautiful woman, and the association might raise questions with others, but it didn't with him. Dixon was probably the one man in the whole fleet Rene wouldn't try to flirt with simply because he did know too much.
He was drunk enough to not blame anyone who flirted with Rene. She was stunning in that dress with the plunging neckline that showed off nicely the ways she had matured. The sparkles and fluff fit her mood, and she glowed with happiness. He leaned back in his chair, enjoying the moment. He never wanted the party to end. But then again, he wanted her all to himself, alone where she would let down her defenses and bring him in behind her walls where it was warm and inviting.
He checked his chrono, surprised to find it was late in the cycle, almost curfew if he were back on the Galactica and still living in the barracks. He looked back to Rene thinking of the many times when he first met her that she had broken that curfew, all to get her family here. She had sacrificed so much to make this all happen.
He raised his glass to her. "You did it. I promise not to doubt you again."
"Did what? Got rid of the alcohol and got your friends drunk?" she teased back as she reached for his glass that he was about to put to his lips, instead winking at him and draining it herself. She sighed. "Damn, that's good. You sure you won't let me take another trip back?"
"How about we take a little trip up to our suite and we can take a different kind of journey." He put on his most seductive smile.
Rene sighed again. "How the hades did I get so lucky?"
He laughed. "No, with you it was hard work. I would know. So, make this easy on me and say yes."
She scanned the room first, taking in her friends sprawled around the room. She turned back to him and his heart lurched, cracking open to reveal a new depth to his love. She was making sure that everyone was accounted for and provided for before agreeing to go and it made him love her all the more. He opened his mouth to tell her she didn't have to do it all alone, she had help now in keeping everyone safe, but she squeezed his hand twice.
"Yes. Let's go. Should we tell them good-bye?"
"Naw, let's be a Rat and sneak out while we can." He pulled her to her feet before reaching for the bottle of ambrosia on the table. "To keep the party going," he said and they danced their way to the door.
Once in the corridor she was giggling that no one noticed. Starbuck thanked lady luck that the IFB had finally packed up and left. They made it to the lift, and once the doors closed, he pulled her into his arms, his lips needing to taste all of her right then, right there.