Author's Note: I realize that Kara may seem a little bit out of character; however, I'm portraying her in a situation where she enjoys her work and respects her superior officers and co-workers. I also think that her behavior probably did not become so extreme until after Zak's death and under Adama's permissiveness.
You'll notice that while others will refer to her as Starbuck, I never have her use it to refer to herself and in narrative she is 'Kara'. My reading of the character is that she did not immerse herself in the 'Starbuck persona' until after Zak's death. Notwithstanding, Kara did come from a highly abusive background and still has serious emotional issues that affect her relationships.
Also, as I never use typical Starbuck language, it's difficult for me to remember to insert expletives. 'Fraks' will be randomly distributed throughout the story when I remember to put them in. Therefore her language might sound slightly "prissier" than normal. I apologize, and I will endeavor to have Starbuck sound less "prissy" in the future.
Kara nodded to another instructor and entered her quarters. As soon as the door closed, she collapsed on her couch. Zak had tried to talk to her after sims, but she had told him to come by her office tomorrow. She needed time to figure out what to do. But 20k later, she still did not have any answers and her bad knee was in throbbing. She hobbled to the shower, tossing her running clothes in the hamper. Turning on the hot water, she let the water pound on tight muscles.
She carefully sank down on the couch and propped her leg up on the coffee table. She placed a bag of ice on her knee and picked up her last twenty files. Why didn't I read these yesterday? How could I be so frakking stupid. Zak's was the last file. Adama, Zak. Adama? I wonder if there's any relation to Apollo and Husker. It would be nice to teach a truly gifted pilot. Six pilots from her last class had been accepted to the prestigious Fleet Replacement Squadron on the Atlantia. They had all been excellent pilots, but none of them had the innate ability to be extraordinary.
She opened Zak's file. His scores in engineering and aerodynamics were exceptional. He had performed very well in all the PreFlight classes, particularly in air navigation, flight rules and regulations, and aviation physiology. His Primary Flight scores were unexceptional, but satisfactory. However, his scores had dropped dramatically once he had begun flying in the single seat trainers. This doesn't make any sense. With these flight scores he should be in ECO training. Hell, they should have him designing these things, not flying them. She checked the statistics from the day's simulator exercises. Zak's performance was—well, dismal was probably too harsh. Whatever is going on, I'll deal with it in the morning.
Ooooooooooo
Kara knocked the requisite three times on Major Phillips' door. At his muffled response, she entered his office and stood at attention three paces from his desk. "Sit, Starbuck. What can I do for you this morning?" Kara licked her lips. "Sir, I wanted to discuss one of the trainees." She laid Zak's file on his desk. "You have a problem with a nugget, already?" he asked in disbelief. "Well, not a problem per se, but I was wondering why Ensign Adama is in this platform. His records seem to indicate he would be better qualified as ECO. Frankly, sir, I'm concerned for his safety and the safety of the other students."
Phillips gave her an appraising look. "Starbuck, remember when you were a nugget? You had something to prove. You were the only female Viper pilot your year, so you had to prove yourself to everyone else—which you did rather nicely by the way, knocking Zak's father and brother off the record board—but you were also trying to prove to yourself that you could excel in something other than pyramid. Kara, you're the most naturally gifted pilot I've ever taught, but your need to prove yourself pushes you beyond anyone I've ever seen." Kara tried not to appear to self-satisfied, but the corners of her mouth turned upwards in the beginnings of a smug grin.
"Zak's father was a hero of the Cylon War; his older brother is a squadron leader on the Atlantia. Zak is under enormous pressure—if he succeeds, it's merely what is expected, but if he fails…You're an excellent instructor. I want you to give Zak whatever help he needs to succeed. I know you can do it." Great, now I'm supposed to give the student that I had a one night stand with private tutoring. And he's really laying on the flattery. This isn't a request by a superior to be considered an order. This is a direct order that come hell or high water, I will turn Zak Adama into a Viper pilot. Frak. "Of course, sir. I'll set up a meeting with him to discuss it." I am so incredibly frakked. "Very well. Carry on, Lieutenant." She stood up to leave. "Starbuck? You'll be at the triad game at the Officers' Club tonight, won't you?" She smiled. "And miss the chance to take all of your credits, sir? How could I miss that?"
Ooooooooooo
Kara looked up from her seemingly endless paperwork as three precise raps sounded on her door. Frak. Its time for Zak's appointment. I can't deal with this. The first man I meet in a long time that I actually could have feelings for, turns out to be my remedial Fleet-brat student. The Lords definitely have a twisted sense of humor. She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Enter." She made him stand at attention while she gave him an appraising look. "Ensign Adama. I would appreciate it if the incident from the other night was kept between the two of us."
"The 'incident'? Lords, Kara, is that what you're going to call it?" Kara dropped Zak's file on the desk with some force. "Ensign Adama. I am your superior officer. In this room you will address me as Lieutenant Thrace. And it shall remain 'the incident' if you want to preserve both of our careers. Because if Fleet Command finds out about this, I will probably lose my commission. Therefore, you will lose the skills of the best instructor at the Academy and become famous as the Adama who screwed his flight instructor and still washed out. Understand?" She felt guilty at the kicked puppy dog look in his eyes. It's best for both of us. Clean break, right now. Professional relationship. Frak it, stop looking at me with those gorgeous eyes, like I'm the sacred idol on the dais.
Kara ignored the uncomfortable feelings that did not really bear closer examination, and ploughed on. "Right now, I'm you're only hope of becoming a Viper pilot. You will report to the simulator bay after dinner for remedial lessons. Dismissed." Zak looked recalcitrant, but a military upbringing made him think better of saying anything. He saluted and with military precision exited her office.