Author's note;
I'm really glad that you're enjoying this story. I never expected such a great response to it! I'm very, very pleased with all the lovely reviews you've been giving this, so a great big thank you for them!
I'm sorry the story has come in bits like it has. I've been working a lot of hours, and that's cut into my writing time considerably. This is going to be the last chapter- I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you all again!
Chapter Thirteen
He sat in the large hanger bay, watching the ceremony in front of him. The mood was solemn, faces edged with sadness. Helo sat beside him, his large frame held still and tight with sadness. The rest of the hanger was filled with people in a similar state, all mourning an important loss.
"Lee?" Helo asked, voice halting and tired.
"Sorry?" Lee asked the other man, snapping back to sad reality from his happy daydreams.
"I said, are you okay?" The larger man asked again, eyes flicking to the front of the hanger. A large, boxy shadow loomed over the hanger bay, made bigger by the lights shining on it's source.
"I'm going to miss her." Lee said, eyes downcast.
"I know." Helo agreed. "I am, too."
"Count me in. I flew the damn thing." Said a subdued female voice to Lee's right. Lee jumped; they'd been no-one sitting there a few seconds ago.
Helo's face broke into a wide, easy smile. "Starbuck!" he exclaimed, a thread of pure joy in his voice. "When did Doc Cottle set you loose?"
"Oh, about an hour ago." Kara said "But I had a few people to visit before I came here." She said, brushing her hand across Lee's.
"How are you doing?" Lee asked, snapping out of his trance.
"Fit and healthy." Kara said. "All fixed. Doc says I can fly again, if you're willing to let me." She glanced ruefully at the crumpled Viper at the front of the hanger. "Not that I have a bird to fly."
"It's good to have you back, Kara." Lee said softly, leaning his face closer to hers. They almost touched when a loud, authoritative voice boomed over the hanger bay. They jumped apart like guilty teenagers, each wearing a slight blush and a happy smile.
There would be time for kissing later. They had a Viper to say farewell to first.