A/n- Wow! You guys are great! Thank you for all the awesome reviews. Hope you like this next chapter!

Chapter Two

"Lee!" A male voice called, jerking him out of his pensive reverie. He was pacing outside of the sick bay, having been asked to leave by one of the staff. He'd complied with the request, needing a few minutes alone to think and calm down, to clear his mind. Kara's face lingered there, blocking out everything but his anger and concern.

"What?" He snapped, turning towards the voice. It was his father. The older man looked as concerned as Lee felt. "My office. Now." The Commander snapped, turning before he had even finished speaking. Father and son hurried through the ship, Lee matching his pace to his father's. It only took them a few minutes to reach the Commander's office.

"Doc Cottle's waiting." Commander Adama said, laying a hand on his son's shoulder as he guided the younger man to a chair. Lee sat down heavily, not sure he wanted to know what he doctor had to say. It was sure to be bad news, and if Lee's suspicions were right, it would reflect badly on the flight crew as a whole.

The older Adama sat behind his desk, gesturing of the doctor to take the seat next to Lee's. He folded his hands on the leather top, leaning forward. His tunic was open, showing the traditional double tank tops underneath.

"Well?" Commander Adama asked sharply. His gut was telling him that there was bad news waiting, and he wanted to hear it right fracking now.

Lee interrupted before the doctor could answer. "Had she been drinking?" He asked, tone just this side of respectful.

"No. There was no alcohol in her system." Cottle said firmly. The grey haired doctor sighed deeply, taking a puff of his cigarette before he spoke again. He looked directly at Lee, speaking with a heavy heart. "Kara's sick. She has a condition called Aplastic Anaemia. Her bone marrow isn't making enough red blood cells. That's why she's been so tired lately."

The doctor watched the colour drain out of the other men's faces. He leaned forward, wanting to answer their questions before they were asked. "It's serious. I'm not going to lie to you. It can be fatal. We'll treat it, starting now but it's going to be a long road for her. She'll need regular blood transfusions, and antibiotics." The doctor paused, knowing the next bit of news would be a blow. "And she's grounded until her blood work is satisfactory."

"So, what now?" Commander Adama asked with a heavy heart.

"We're going to do a bone marrow biopsy later tonight to confirm the blood tests. If… when they confirm the diagnosis, we can start treating her."

"What causes it?" Commander Adama asked, wondering about an epidemic on his ship.

He shrugged cynically. "Who knows? Stress is a contributor."

"Oh, gods…" Lee breathed "Oh, gods…" Shame burned through him like a flame. He'd been so awful to her. He thought back, realising she hadn't been begging for forgiveness; rather, she had been trying to tell him. And he'd ignored her, instead choosing to hurl abuse. "She's really sick?" He asked, in a tightly controlled voice.

"It's serious. I think we caught it early enough to be treatable though." The Doctor assured the younger man.

"You think?" Lee asked, sarcasm hanging heavy in his tone. A warning glare from the Commander went un-headed as he waited for the Doctor to answer.

"Yup. We'll know more when the test results are back."

The Commander joined the conversation. "Do you know when that will be?" He asked.

"Should be within a couple of hours." Cottle supplied, standing. "I have patients waiting."

Lee and the Commander both stood, a sign of respect to the doctor. Commander Adama didn't have to, but chose to do so. "Thank you, doctor. Keep me updated on Kara's condition." It was an order hidden as a suggestion, both of them knew that.

"I will." Doctor Cottle said, stepping through the door.

"Doc!" Lee called at Cottle reached the door. The grey haired man paused, half turning. "The deck hand… will she be alright?"

"Yup. It was just a nasty cut. She'll be right as rain in a few weeks." He said, throwing them a sad salute with his un-lit cigarette. It swung shut behind him, leaving Lee and his father sitting in silence.

Guilt clawed at Lee like it was trying to escape his body. He'd been so, so wrong. As he thought about it, he felt his face flush with shame. Noticing his father watching him, he ducked his head, hiding from that searching gaze. He shoved his hand through his hair, welcoming the slight pain as he pulled on the roots.

"What is it?" The Commander asked, still watching his son. He knew that Lee was ashamed, but didn't know why. Standing up, he came around the desk, sitting on the chair Cottle had vacated.

Lee spoke into his lap, words low and hurried. "I shouted at her, Dad. Called her names. Used her call sign like an insult. Practically accused her of being a drunk." Scrubbing his hands over his face, he continued. "She tried to tell me, I think. I was too angry to listen to her. Gods, why didn't I listen?"

The Commander patted Lee on his shoulder, standing. "Go see her, Lee. Make things right between you."

Lee stood, nodding, shame slowly changing into determination to fix what he had broken. "I will, Dad. I will." He said. Both of them pretended not to notice the lack of conviction in his voice.