Lots of people are reading, thank you. I'm trying for once a day posting, however it might be delayed this weekend. Thanks again.

Chapter Four

Lee rambled on in panic. Adama did his best to calm his son, but nothing worked. Finally, he gave Lee a powerful shake. Lee stopped instantly and stared dumbly at his father.

"I don't know what's going on, but we'll get you to Cottle and he'll figure this out. I'm sure you're not going insane."

Lee allowed his father to help him stand and remained quiet while they walked to Life Station. He didn't need words at the moment. He knew the truth in his heart. He was going insane and there wasn't anything they could do to stop it.

BSG

Lee sat quietly on the exam bed. Adama nervously puttered with items on a tray nearby.

Cottle pulled back the curtain, as Adama dropped an instrument. "Who's the child here?"

Adama straightened his back and glared at the doctor. "What did the tests show?"

Cottle pulled up a stool and sat. "Nothing yet, these are pretty preliminary. The real tests need to be run tomorrow. We don't wake up the specially trained staff unless it's critical." He couldn't resist the jab. He didn't enjoy being disturbed during a rare night of sleep.

Lee added nothing, but started to get off the table. He was stopped by two different arms.

"Where do you think you're going?" said his father.

"Not so fast, hotshot." said Cottle. "I didn't say we were through. How many of those pills have you taken?"

"Pills?" Adama interjected, "What pills?"

Cottle silenced the Admiral with a glare of his own, and then returned his focus to Lee. "How many?"

"None" Lee whispered.

Cottle said nothing, simply continued with his questions. "And how many times do you remember sleep walking?"

Lee thought a moment, "three or four I guess."

Adama was about to speak, but held his tongue when Cottle glanced his way.

"Anything else?"

Lee didn't understand. "What do you mean?"

Cottle frowned. "Is there any other symptom you're not telling me about?"

Lee spoke softly. "Nothing physical."

Adama spoke before Cottle could cut him off. "What does that mean, son?"

Lee looked back and forth between the two men. "I can't explain it. I just don't feel right. I feel like I'm losing my mind."

Adama sighed, not willing to consider the possibility. "It's just the exhaustion, Lee. You're tired. We all get that way."

Cottle groaned. He stood up, grabbed a syringe from the tray and before Lee could react, jabbed a needle in the young man's arm.

"HEY! What was tha…" Lee slumped. Adama caught him and between the two men, they settled him on the bed.

Adama raised an eyebrow and looked at Cottle as he drew a blanket up under Lee's chin. He didn't need words.

"We know one thing. He needs rest. Now, he'll get it."

Adama studied his sleeping son for a moment. "Will he sleepwalk again?"

The doctor laughed. "Not a chance. I don't suspect he'll even wake until tomorrow afternoon. Come back then. We'll have more fun with him."

Adama was stunned. "I'm not leaving my son." Deep down, he knew he couldn't stay, but the words felt good.

Cottle rolled his eyes. "I promise you. He's not going anywhere and the fleet doesn't need you exhausting yourself as well. Get out, that's an order."

Adama opened his mouth to argue, but seeing the glint in Cottle's eye caused him to reconsider. "You'll…"

Cottle waved him off. "I'll contact you if anything changes. Meanwhile, we'll run a few tests while he's out." He turned to leave, but stopped at the edge of the curtain. "There's a psychologist over on Cloud Nine. He's not a specialist in this area, but he's better than nothing. I think we could use him."

Adama's eyes narrowed. "You think this is in his head, stress induced?"

Cottle shrugged. "I don't know what to think. I mean jeez, we've lost our home worlds, our loved ones, we've been constantly on the run for more months than I can count and he's constantly risking his life to save our sorry hides… Maybe he's stressed out. Maybe not?"

BSG

Adama stopped to update Kara on what had happened to Lee and between them they vowed to be with him.

Agron Athelis was delivered to Adama's quarters by noon the following day. He seemed a bit hesitant as he sat on the other side of the big desk. "I'm not sure why I'm here, Admiral."

"We've got a lot of stress on board. Some of our people need to work it out. Is that so hard to believe?" Adama offered. He wasn't ready to admit the first patient was his son.

"I've never worked with the military before. I don't know if I can help."

Adama leaned forward. "You're all we've got and your first patient is rather important to me." He quickly added, "to us all."

Agron tried never to let powerful people intimidate him, but this was William Adama, savior of humanity. He struggled to remain calm. "Who is it you'd like me to help?"

"My son, Lee."

Agron was shocked. "Apollo?"

Adama couldn't help but smile at the recognition. "I see you've heard of him."

"Who hasn't? He's a hero. Do you know how many women fantasize about him after that Biers interview? It's all I hear about from my women clients." Just then, Athelis noted who he was talking to and what he was talking about. So much for not being intimidating. "Where is he?"

Adama walked him to Life Station as he explained the situation.

It was lunchtime when they entered Life Station and an aide was delivering meals to the patients. She'd just come out of the curtained area where Lee lay. Adama stopped her. "Is Captain Adama awake?"

She chuckled. "Kinda." After she'd sauntered off, the two men stepped behind Lee's curtain. He seemed to be dozing. Adama sat on the stool at his son's bedside and called softly to him. "Lee?"

Lee's nose twitched and he snorted softly, mumbling something incoherent.

Adama grinned at his son's innocent and childish behavior. "Lee, can you wake up for me?" Adama knew his son was tired, but he longed to see his blue eyes. He needed the reassurance for himself.

Lee's childlike expression vanished and words spilled from his mouth. "No. You won't win."

Adama looked to Athelis for confirmation of what he'd just heard. The psychologist moved closer when Lee continued to mutter.

"I won't let you. I'll kill myself first. You don't exist."

The threat was clear to both men. Adama didn't want to hear more. He slapped gently at his son's face and called to Lee. He was about to intensify his actions when Cottle entered the area. "Quit assaulting my patients. He'll wake when he's good and ready. Until then, you'll leave him alone."

Athelis coughed and raised his hand to interrupt. "Doctor Cottle, I presume? I'm Agron Athelis" He dropped his hand, offering it to Cottle, who ignored it. Pulling his hand back, he continued. "I agree that the captain needs sleep, but I might advise restraints as well."

Cottle had been checking Lee's vitals, but he whirled on Athelis. "The man's exhausted, not psychotic."

"I disagree. Based on what we just heard, I believe the captain may be suicidal. It would explain his sleepwalking."

Both men looked at the newcomer, stunned. Adama asked the obvious question. The tone in his voice was hostile. He was a military father whose son, a true hero, was just maligned. "How so?"

Agron coughed to clear his throat, buying time and then continued. "If a part of the captain has thrown in the towel, so to speak, it could be we are witnessing an internal struggle to end the suffering. His subconscious is finding ways for him to die, without making him have to overtly kill himself." He looked at Adama. "It could be he's trying to prevent you from being shamed at his weakness. I've seen it before."

Adama shook his head. "That's ridiculous. Lee is exhausted, not suicidal."

Athelis felt confident enough to stand by his assessment. "Well, obviously I'd need to talk more with the captain, but are you willing to take the risk? If he's able to over power the side that's keeping him alive," he gestured around Life Station, "there's plenty here that he could use to do himself in quite quickly."

Adama fought to contain his fury at the mere suggestion. Cottle however, was not as emotionally involved. He bent low and pulled open a drawer on the small bedside cupboard. He pulled out several cushioned restraints. "What the frak? It won't hurt, right?"

BSG

The room wasn't well lit. Cylon technology didn't create a need for proper lighting. Even the humanoid models had eyes that adjusted to any conditions. The six model entered and joined her colleagues at the table.

"It's begun."

A voice from a shadowed corner of the room spoke next. "How long will it take? We've waited too long as it is."

She swallowed. "Unknown. This is the first time we've tried the procedure. It appears…" She glanced at the others in the room. They were hanging on her every word. "His subconscious is aware of our presence and fighting control."

"Then god will increase his presence."

BSG

Kara slipped behind the curtain to check on Lee. Fury sprang up in her as she saw the restraints. She immediately went about removing them.

"I wouldn't do that."

The voice startled her and she spun around to meet Adama. He looked older and impossibly tired. "Sir, why?" He'd only looked this way once before, when Lee was dying.

"The therapist we brought over seems to think he might be suicidal." He choked on his words.

Kara shook her head, stunned. "No, frakkin way. NO!" She ignored Adama and turned back to undo the strap on Lee's wrist. His hand rested on hers, staying it. She whispered. "Lee doesn't want to die. I'd know."

He squeezed her hand. "I don't like it either, but we need the time to find out. I'm not going to take the chance. I won't lose him."

She released the strap. "He'll be furious."

Adama chuckled. "I know. I'm counting on it. I'm counting on some Lee Adama fire!"

BSG

Adama's hopes were dashed when Lee woke later that evening, completely accepting of his restraints. He said very little. "It's probably for the best. I might hurt someone."

"We weren't worried about you hurting someone Lee…" His voice faded out as Lee's pained eyes met his.

"I would be. Maybe I caused the explosion. What if I hadn't been the one flying my bird?" He couldn't even admit the further fears going through his mind.

"You weren't." Adama paused in frustration. He had no idea how to help his son. When Lee had been poisoned, he could will him his strength. Now, he felt more helpless than ever. "Lee, we've all been through a lot. You're tired. I really believe a good rest is all you need." He'd been trying to figure out how to deliver the news, now seemed as good a time as possible. "We got you a suite on Cloud Nine for a vacation."

Lee rolled his head away, clenched his eyes tightly shut and after composing himself, looked back. "For how long?"

Adama knew he was dancing around the truth with his son. He didn't like it. "Long enough for you to get some rest."

Lee turned his head and stared at the ceiling. "Am I coming back?"

Adama growled the answer to what he thought was a ridiculous question. "Of course. We… I need you here."

Lee sensed something more. "So, I'm just going on a vacation until you and Cottle think I'm fit again?"

Adama glanced at his watch as a distraction. "Doctor Athelis will also advise us."

"Doctor Athelis?" Lee asked as a deeper darkness swallowed the room.

"He's a psychologist. We've spoken to him and he thinks he can help you." Adama coughed nervously.

"So we all agree I'm frakking up? Maybe I won't be back." Lee said, dejected.

Adama growled again. "That attitude is unacceptable, Lee. We're going to get through this."

Lee rolled over on his side. It was awkward, as his arms were still restrained. In a voice barely above a whisper, he spoke. "I'm sorry. This isn't what you wanted for your son. It can't be easy for you. I wonder what people are saying? I'm sorry I've embarrassed you."

Adama rested his hand on Lee's shoulder. "I don't care about anyone else. That's not important. This is about you."

"But it's the truth."

BSG

Adama accompanied Lee to Cloud Nine the following day. Lee scowled as they stepped into the raptor. "You don't need to come."

Adama smiled. "I'm not allowed some time off?"

Lee's expression didn't change. "I don't need a babysitter. I can check into a room by myself." He pointedly added. "And I've no intention off offing myself today or any time soon."

Adama ignored his son's negative attitude and continued with his own. "That's good to hear. I'll sleep better. The truth of the matter is I hear Cloud Nine is nice, fake grass and water. I wouldn't mind a bit of phony sunshine."

After checking into his room, the Adamas had dinner at one of the restaurants. Adama was interested in a stroll around the park, but Lee claimed to be tired and returned to his room.

Lee was lying on his bed, feeling sorry for himself an hour later when a knock came at the door. He opened it to find his father and a stranger.

"This is Doctor Athelis. I met him in the park and thought I'd make the introduction."

Athelis held out his hand. "Nice to meet you, Captain. I admit. I'm a big fan."

Lee frowned, releasing the man's hand. "A fan, Doctor Athelis?"

He laughed softly. "Call me Agron. What I mean is, you're a hero and it's my honor to meet you."

Lee turned from the two men. "Too bad your hero turned out to be such a frakkin' disappointment. You and my father must have a lot in common."

Adama's body jerked forward in anger. Athelis stilled him with an arm and a look. "You have a difficult job. It's my honor to help you work through some of the stress."

"Great thanks… when do we begin?" Lee's enthusiasm was obviously faked.

Athelis dropped a paper on the side table. "Here are the directions to my office. How about 9am tomorrow?"

"Sure. I'll be there." Lee said, with no emotion.

BSG

Kara met Adama's ship when it returned. "How did it go?"

Adama's scowl was all she needed.

"He'll be fine. A couple days of lounging alongside the pool, soaking up the fake sun will do him a world of good."

Adama stopped and looked into Kara's eyes. "I don't know anymore. I just don't know."