All she needed was a little push. But then, that's what sisters were for. Lia's hand nudged her firmly and squarely in the back, and her body followed the silent command to walk forward off the turbo lift.
Luana wasn't going to let them see her squirm. She held her head high, remembering her father's words of wisdom, "you get your nose up in the air too far, and you're going to drown on a wet day on Empyrean, my girl". A hint of a smile crossed her face at the memory of her father, and the strength he was still giving her on a daily basis.
"Looking good, Lu." Lia murmured in encouragement. Captain Apollo had spoken with her briefly and assigned her one task: find Luana and get her to launch bay Alpha within the centar. Of course, the captain had an even more challenging assignment; he had to find Starbuck.
Well, since the announcement of the engagement, Luana had disappeared. When Lia had finally caught up with her sister, Luana was frustrated, anxious and defeated. She hadn't found Starbuck to straighten out the mammoth mess that Ama had placed them in.
Of course, Luana had wasted no time in blasting Lia for her part in all of it. She was guilty of the traitorous and diabolical act of admitting to their godmother that Luana and Starbuck had indeed conjugated. Lia didn't bother to tell Lu that Ama, in her usual mystical way, had seemed to know about it anyway, and had really dragged it out of her reluctantly. Never in a million yahrens had she guessed that Ama would then turn around and try to force the couple into a premature marriage. Lia had a few words for her Godmother . . . if there was anything left of the retired necromancer once Luana was through with her.
She steered her younger sister towards their assigned shuttle, noting how woodenly Luana was moving. Her usual feline grace was all but gone, as she steadfastly avoided curious gazes, at the same time, searching desperately for any sign of Starbuck.
"We're still waiting on Apollo and Starbuck." Boomer announced with his usual friendly smile, as they approached. A sympathetic glance in Luana's direction was all that gave away his knowledge of the predicament.
Lia nodded, thankful for Boomer's usual perceptiveness and tact. "Thanks Boomer. Do you need any help loading up?"
"No. We're ready." Boomer stood aside to let them board. "Ah, here they are now." His gaze looked over their heads, back towards the lift.
Luana whirled on the spot. Her eyes sought him hungrily, as the lift settled on their level. Apollo had the lieutenant by the arm and was speaking to him, as he propelled him towards the transport. Starbuck was nodding distractedly, looking in the other direction, before his eyes suddenly and inexplicably locked on hers.
He had his card playing face firmly in place.
Luana swallowed the lump in her throat. He must really hate her to shut her out so completely. The thin façade that she had built up brick by brick began to crumble as his cold, blue eyes appraised her. She blinked several times to force back the evidence of her turbulent emotions. She straightened her back, tipped up her chin, and clenched her teeth. She wouldn't lose it here. Not in front of her peers. She refused to tarnish the memory of her father by behaving like an immature school girl.
"Can we give them a moment, Captain?"
It was Lia's voice. She was squeezing Lu's arm reassuringly. Strangely, all Luana could see now was a pair of scuffed Colonial boots in front of her own. Almost touching hers, but not quite. She wondered if that was somehow symbolic of their entire relationship. Well, up until last night anyhow.
"Just a centon though. Alright, Starbuck?" The captain's voice replied.
"Right." Starbuck's reply. His voice sounded strained and clipped.
Lu cleared her throat. A gentle hand suddenly cupped her chin and coaxed it up, until she was gazing into his eyes once again. This time, however, concern replaced the cold stare of the moment before.
"Are you okay?" He whispered to her.
She was certain she could feel the warmth of his body heat, he was standing so closely. But then, he'd always had that effect on her. "I'm so sorry, Starbuck. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
His eyes searched her face for a few microns, before he nodded. "I know."
"You do?" she asked him, slightly amazed. She had seldom met anyone more cynical of female nature than he was; the last thing she had expected was his trust.
He smiled slightly at her reaction, brushing a stray tendril of hair back off her face. "I do now, " he admitted.
"I thought you'd hate me." Luana told him, grasping his hand.
"No." He shook his head, and cocked it to one side. "But sweetheart, I'm not ready to get married."
"Neither am I!" Lu insisted.
Starbuck blew out a breath of relief. "Good, then we're in agreement?"
"Oh, yes!" Luana grinned her first real smile since she had heard Sire Dracus on the IFB that morning.
"Then I'd better warn you now, I'm going to kill your godmother when we land on the Rising Star."
"Get in line, Starbuck. Get in line." She declared.