Title: Gossip
Chapter: Kara
Characters/Pairings: Helo, Kara; Kara/Lee
Spoilers/Warning: R
Summary: "Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead." Benjamin Franklin – Secrets spread quickly around Galactica… Here's how.
Disclaimer: All television shows, movies, books, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use. Reference to real persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context, and are not intended to be libelous, defamatory, or in any way factual.
Author's Note: Edited and updated 1-10-2011.
Kara was practically hyperventilating by the time she sat down in the mess across from Helo. The only thing keeping her from having a full-blown panic attack was the fact that Doc Cottle had been right - she could still gamble.
"Are you all right now?" Helo asked. "You look like shit."
"I need to tell you something," Kara said, looking around shakily. "I need to tell you something but you have to swear you won't say a word to anyone; especially not to Lee."
Helo leaned forward over the table, intrigued. "Go on."
Kara licked her lips and sighed sadly. "You're not gonna believe it."
"Of course I will," Helo coaxed. "Just spill all your dirty little secrets to Uncle Karl."
"Don't make me kick your ass," Kara snapped. She glared at him for a second before her face fell. She somehow managed to look even sadder than before when she groaned, "I'm probably not allowed to fight now either."
"Why not?"
"I can't smoke, drink, fly, or fight." Kara looked at him expectantly. "What does that say about my condition?"
"That you have the flu?" Helo rolled his eyes. "I don't frakking know Starbuck."
"I puked every morning this week." She raised an eyebrow. "Does that help?"
Helo told her bluntly, "No."
"Sharon did what every morning when she was pregnant with Hera?"
"She puked." A look of realization (and possibly horror) spread across Helo's face. "No."
Kara gestured to herself. "Oh yes."
"But how?"
"When two people fall in love or have one too many shots of the Chiefs brew, they take off all of their clothes-"
"I know how Starbuck," Helo growled. "I mean, how? Didn't you have your..." He glanced around before leaning in closer to her to whisper, "Your thingy?"
"I forgot to go to my last appointment," Kara said simply.
"How could you forget to go to that appointment?"
"I was busy," Kara spat. "Believe it or not I'm a frakking fighter pilot. I don't have much time to do anything other than fly and sleep."
"And frak." Helo nodded at her, grinning. "Obviously."
"I hate you."
"Well you obviously don't like me as much as you like someone on this beast," Helo said, sitting back in his chair. "Who's the daddy?"
"I can't tell you," Kara sighed and dropped her forehead against the table with an audible 'bang'.
Helo eyed his friend warily for a moment before asking one of the most dangerous questions of his life, "Is that because you don't know who he is?"
Kara's head snapped up. "I know who he is."
"Then why won't you tell me?" Helo's eyebrows shot up to his hairline. "Is it HotDog's!"
"No." Kara stared at him, trying to determine whether his question was serious or now. "The father isn't important."
"Oh yeah? And why is that?"
"Simple." She flashed him her patented Starbuck smirk. "I'm not telling him."