Chapter Seven

Lee's brain was overwhelmed by the mutated poison.

"It explains the constant headaches."

Adama looked at the doctor, puzzled. "Constant headaches? Lee's in constant pain? Why wasn't I told?"

Cottle nodded. "I suspect it's one of the reasons he can't hold control as long anymore. It hurts. When Apollo is allowed to control, the fluid increases pressure on his brain, before the pain occurred only when they switched."

Adama was somber. "So every time we ask him to fight it, we are causing him even more pain." Without intending to, he added, "this just keeps getting better and better."

Cottle waited until Adama was refocused. He had no problem allowing the admiral a moment to be a father. "We've got to let the Cylon have control. Lee needs to let it win."

A mixture of emotions appeared in the admiral's eyes. "Give up?"

"No. Make it easier on your son."

BSG

Boomer stood outside his cell. She knew he'd still be asleep. They brought him back sedated. Her hand rose up to rest on the glass. Something about his situation called out to her. She'd been tested by Doctor Baltar, and knew she wasn't really a Cylon, but the CAG's experience was causing her to have doubts.

Lee Adama had been tested too. He hadn't read as a Cylon either, even now he didn't.

She was so lost in her thoughts she hadn't noticed Thirteen rise and join her at the window. She jumped back and stared in shock at his smiling face. He spoke to her. She shook her head and left the room. She pretended not to know what he'd said to her.

Thirteen watched her go. "Soon, my sister. You will rise soon enough."

BSG

Adama strode into the cylon detention area and knew immediately from Lee's stance, it was actually Thirteen. He paused long enough to release a sigh, but as he turned to go he was compelled to stop by a knock at the window. He turned back and Thirteen was holding his phone receiver.

The father in Bill Adama told him to walk away, but the military officer couldn't turn down the chance to gain some information. If Thirteen wanted to talk to him, it had to be something. He picked up the phone, but said nothing.

"Nice to see you too." Thirteen crooned. "I just thought you should know you have a Cylon close to you."

"He's right in front of me."

Thirteen laughed. "I'm your son. There's a full Cylon, closer than you think. You might want to be more careful."

"You admit you aren't a Cylon, then?" Adama wasn't going to buy into the teaser.

"I admit only that I'm trapped in a human body. I shall never be one of god's true children. Don't you care one of god's children is among your own?"

Adama had been unable to shake Thirteen's confidence. "Why would you warn me? Why should I believe you?" Adama's voice was gruff.

"I just thought you should know. Whether you believe or not is your call. You now have to decide. You make the best decision you can and have no regrets, right?"

Having his own words thrown back at him by a Cylon infuriated Adama. He slammed the phone down and left.

BSG

The next time Adama and Lee were together, Adama was compelled to ask about Thirteen's warning. "Lee, Thirteen said we had a Cylon close to us."

Lee snorted. "Me?" It was a rare display of humor.

Adama offered his son a sympathetic smile. The moment was light and Lee seemed in control and not in too much pain. "No, he said it was someone else, but close. Can you? Are you?"

Lee shook his head. "I can't. I can't tap in to them. I've tried and I've gotten…" His words cut out and a gasp escaped instead. He clutched at his head.

Adama had seen it all too often. He stepped back and waited until Thirteen was in full control before leaving to the sound of his taunts. "You believed me? How worried are you?"

BSG

Lee's head throbbed. He waited impatiently for his father to arrive, pacing the cell to funnel his concentration. He was in control, but he never knew for how long. He had to tell his father. He knew who the Cylon was. It was actually a moment of pride for Lee. It empowered him to know he was learning how to get into the Cylon within him. Thirteen had been using him. Turnabout was fair play. Lee smiled, genuinely.

His father rushed in. "Son?"

Lee smiled. "Dad. I know who it is. The Cylon is…" Lee's face contorted. "Gods, NO. Not now!" He pushed at his temples. "Dad, it's Bo…"

Lee's chance was gone. Thirteen displayed his first anger. "Lee was pushing. I'll punish him for it. It was a stupid move on his part."

Adama growled. "I thought your god handed out the punishment."

Thirteen leered. "I am his instrument."

"No, you're his imperfect experiment." Adama didn't know how close he was to the truth and had no further time to debate; a page summoned him to CIC. When he arrived, Tigh was grinning. "They found it. A mountain of tyllium. They almost missed it, but Boomer stuck to her instinct. It's perfect and unlike before, it's not guarded by Cylons."

Adama smiled. It was fuel and good news. They needed both. The Cylons had managed to destroy a refinery in a recent skirmish.

Tigh continued. "They'll be on board soon. I ordered them to report to CIC." He scanned the room and stepped closer. "Was it still Lee? Did he?"

Adama nodded. "For a second or two. He managed to tap in and figure out who the Cylon is."

Tigh was stunned. "You're awfully calm about this. Why aren't we arresting someone?"

Adama scowled. "Thirteen prevented him from telling me. Bo… That's all he got out."

"Bo? That could be anyone. We've got four Bobs in the room right now." Tigh complained, scanning the room for more possibilities.

"I know. We can only hope Lee can tell us next time."

"When will that be?"

Adama usually appreciated Tigh's candor, but now he didn't want to be reminded of the truth. "Thirteen says we're to be punished us for this one. It might be a while. We'll have to be on guard. If the Cylon suspects we're on to him…"

Tigh nodded and glanced at the commotion in the hatchway. "Here's Boomer and Crashdown." Both men turned to greet the arriving officers, who were also met with applause from the command crew. Everyone was smiling. Adama's began to fade. As Sharon Valerii smiled at him, Lee's words slammed into him. Bo. Boomer! He had no proof, but his gut told him.

He hesitantly stepped forward and offered his hand to Boomer. "Good job!" Time seemed suspended. Sharon's hand rose, but it held a gun. She aimed directly at him and fired.

He'd seen it coming. He was running on instinct. In the fraction of a second the gun rose, he began to move. As he fell toward the deck, he felt the burn pass through his side. Around him was chaos. Marines threw Sharon to the ground and Tigh barked orders.

Adama knew he'd barely avoided severe injury. He looked into Saul's worried expression. "Boomer."

Tigh answered. "Boomer." He looked to the hatchway, where medics were running through. "Medics are here."

Adama smiled. "I'll be fine."

BSG

A satisfied grin never left Thirteen's face as he watched them construct a second holding cell across from him. A day later, Sharon Valerii was moved in. She glared at him with a bruised, interrogated face. He merely continued to smile.

He taunted her often. She couldn't hear his voice, but he knew she read his lips. "You're pathetic. You failed. When you're put out the airlock, god won't resurrect you."

As promised, Lee wasn't able to assert himself for some time. Adama recovered from his wound and quickly resumed both command and visits to his son. He ordered a camera installed to watch Lee. He spent long hours outside the holding area, staring at the monitors for a sign Lee was present. His dedication paid off and he ran into the room when Lee reappeared.

Lee ran to the phone at the sight of his father. "DAD! You're ok?"

Adama grinned broadly. "Thanks to you."

Lee shook his head, unconvinced. "I didn't get the information out."

"You did enough, son. I figured it out in time." He glanced over his shoulder.

Lee looked at his father and a mocking grin spread across his face. "Barely! Are you getting slow, old man?"

Adama frowned in mock anger, but before he could say more, Lee disappeared. He wondered who had made the jest.

"So, Admiral, did you have a loving moment with your son? You're welcome. Tsk, Tsk. I do so enjoy watching the two of you pretend this will end positively. I suppose it makes you wonder if Lee shouldn't have died from the poison."

BSG

The battle over what to do with the 'Cylons' raged. Marines had been forced to break up a group of rowdy mess workers who were threatening to take matters into their own hands. The feelings of betrayal were deep in all humans.

Thirteen had been biding his time, lulling his jailors into a false sense of security. He knew it was time to shake things up. He'd been calmly reading a book on his cot. From the corner of his eye, he checked the camera.

He tried to stand up, as if he were going to the head, but paused and clutched at his stomach. The more steps he took, the more agony he exhibited, finally falling to his knees.

In the cell office, a guard called CIC. "He seems to be in trouble. He's on his knees in pain." He listened a moment. "Understood." He waited until a second marine arrived and the two men made for the cell.

Thirteen was now unresponsive on the deck. He didn't move as the door slid open. He heard the footfalls nearing him. He held his breath and stilled his pulse. He felt fingers probing his neck. Wait… Not yet… Lull them…

"CIC was calling the medics. Think we should start down and meet them?"

That's it… Thirteen's arm shot up, catching the nearest guard around the neck. His fingers clutched at the man's throat, crushing it. He shoved the marine aside and rolled to the second, who had inadvertently backed himself away from the door attempting to help his colleague. Thirteen's legs kicked up and then instantly back down with an arch of his back to spring to his feet. The marine charged him. Thirteen twisted the man's arm behind his back. Moving his hands swiftly to either side of the marine's head, he twisted sharply and snapped his neck. The marine fell dead. Thirteen smiled directly at the camera and disappeared through the hatch into Galactica's corridors.

BSG

Adama pounded to the scene with Tigh close behind. He said nothing as they replayed the tape of what had happened. Watching his son's body snap the neck of a good marine chilled him to the bone. Not only had they lost two good men, but he knew his son would never recover from such an action, even if he hadn't done it himself. "Seal off Galactica. Nothing gets off this ship, nothing."

Tigh frowned. "Except CAP?"

Adama glared at his second in command. "Nothing. Lee can fly a viper. He'll try to get off the ship. I want ten teams of marines searching the ship. I want Le… Thirteen found NOW!"

Tigh swallowed and nodded. He couldn't avoid his next question, although he desperately wanted to. "And your orders?"

Adama's glare continued. He knew exactly what Tigh wanted him to say. His attention fell to the deck. "Use any necessary force."

BSG

Thirteen knew exactly what he was doing. He'd had enough time to plan. He slipped first into the laundry to find more suitable clothing. He then broke into food stores and helped himself to food. Even the Cylons fed their prisoners a better variety. He didn't mind depriving the humans of some of their precious fruits.

He'd long ago decided what storage lockers he would hide out in. He was positive Adama would assume he wanted off the ship. He had no such intentions. He planned on destroying the ship. Locker 863 in Causeway B contained the bomb he had previously assembled. Once planted in the engines, Galactica was history. However, he had some things to do first.

BSG

"THAT THING HAS BEEN ALL OVER THIS SHIP AND NO ONE CATCHES HIM? HE'S LEE FRAKIN' ADAMA! NO ONE NOTICED HIM?" Tigh growled at the reporting marine. "Don't just stand there. FIND HIM!"

Tigh had been too involved in reprimanding the lieutenant to notice the wince flash across Adama's face when he referred to his son. By the time Tigh composed himself and looked back to the Admiral, Adama calmly spoke. "He's toying with us. He's not trying to cover his tracks."

"He's bouncing around the ship. He can't keep this up. Someone will find him." Tigh added.

Adama shook his head. "Not someone, a group. A person alone doesn't stand a chance against Thirteen."

"Maybe if they surprise him?" Tigh asked, optimistically.

Again Adama shook his head. "It's got cylon abilities and Lee's knowledge of the ship. Plus he's had lots of time to plan. He's playing cat and mouse."

Tigh groaned in response.

BSG

Adama undid the top buttons of his jacket. The day had been too long. Thirteen seemed to have disappeared or was now covering his trail. He worried for his son. He shut the hatch firmly behind him, wishing it could really shut out the world.

"He hates this room."

Adama refused to respond to the voice. It was Thirteen. It had Lee's sound, but not his tone. It was cold and overly confident. "Who?"

"Your son. This room represents your true wishes and loves. You wanted to be here, not home with your sons. Lee knows that. He hates you. You do know that, right?"

Adama moved to his desk and dropped into his chair. "He doesn't hate me." He said it as if it was an inconsequential thing.

Thirteen laughed. "Are you that sure? I'm here, inside, with access to everything. I'd say I know better."

Adama hadn't really expected Thirteen to be so bold as to make an attack on him in his own quarters, but he was prepared. His knee slid over and pushed at the alarm button under his desk. "I think you like to manipulate. You'd twist any situation to make it serve your purpose." He hoped the marines would come in quickly. He didn't relish a hostage situation.

Thirteen brought his hands to his heart. "That hurts, dad."

"I'm not your father. You were created in a test tube with computers." Adama countered, buying time.

"They aren't coming. I disabled the button. I'm not dumb. Even Lee would know to disable it."

"What is it you want? I don't like playing games." Adama demanded.

"I know that too. How often did you play games with your sons? Did you let them win, like a good father? Or did you insist on teaching them life is hard? Do you have happy memories of playing catch with your sons? Lee doesn't. The only memories he has of time with you is on a military base with a viper. Enjoying it seemed to them to be the only way to get your attention. Is that superior human parenting?"

Adama remained silent. His mind refused to believe anything this enemy said, but his heart knew no matter how slanted, Thirteen spoke fundamentally the truth.

"You are a formidable foe, Admiral. We didn't expect this extended conflict. However, you demonstrate all we stand for. You sacrificed your family, your wife and sons, for your own selfish need, your career." Thirteen delivered his message with utter sincerity.

"How is it that this perfect cylon utopia your supposed god has created condones the slaughter of innocent humans?" Adama knew even if he had a reasonable argument in his own defense, it wasn't worth the effort.

"Humans? Innocent? You're joking. Most humans don't deserve to live."

Adama grinned mildly at Thirteen's slip up. "Most? Which are allowed? What exactly do you want?"

Thirteen frowned. "Certain human DNA is desirable. God prefers I preserve this body. It has admirable DNA." He ignored the second question.

Adama controlled his response. Cylons were susceptible to over confidence. Thirteen's arrogance was giving away information. "Lee's body is safe?"

Thirteen rose. "I said god prefers. I shall willingly die if necessary. That is up to you. Have you ordered them to shoot to kill? Or would you die more comfortably knowing some portion of your son remains?"

"I will save my son." Adama rose from his chair.

"Don't… I need you to stay seated, dad." Thirteen rose to his own feet.

"I'm not your 'dad' and I don't take orders from you." He moved forward until the click of a weapon stopped him. "You'd shoot me here?"

"I'd rather not. It would interrupt my plan. I do need you to return to your seat." He wagged restraints in the air. "Remember these? Lee thought they protected his loved ones. I was annoyed by them. I suspect they'll annoy you as well."

"You expect me to willingly sit down and let you tie me up?" Adama demanded.

"I do, or you will die here and now and your son will die as well. How is that saving your son? Do you think anyone else on board will fight as hard for him? Not even Thrace can fight like a father can, even a poor one."

Adama sat and Thirteen bound him to the chair.

"What? No gag? You don't think I can call for help?" Adama growled while pulling at his restraints.

Thirteen smiled. "It won't matter. I'll be gone before anyone arrives. It's been a pleasure talking to you." He disappeared through the hatch and Adama immediately bellowed for help.

Mature Content...

Kara threw her helmet into her locker and slammed it shut. There was a big card game going in the mess, but she had no desire to play. Being grounded was never a good thing for her. Having tired pilots defending the fleet wasn't a good thing. Having other ships fuel and service her ships wasn't a good thing. Knowing all this was happening because Lee Adama was being consumed by the Cylons was worst of all.

She stripped to her underclothes and crawled into her bunk. She tossed and turned for an hour before deciding on another approach. Grabbing her towel and kit, she made for the showers. Hot water rations be damned, she was going to indulge. She stepped into a shower stall, but as she was about to turn the water on, she heard a noise. She stood quietly listening and the noise gradually cleared into a sob. She hesitated. She wasn't in the mood for a touchy feely scene with one of her pilots.

Duty tugged at her heart. She wrapped the towel around her chest and began to search the other showers. As she neared the last stall, the curtain was pulled. She called out. "Hey? I'm coming in." She slipped her hand between the wall and the curtain and pulled it back.

She stopped in her tracks as she stared at the figure huddled in the corner. It was Lee, truly Lee. He slowly looked up at her. "Kara?"

Kara didn't know what to do. Every part of her said to run, get her weapon and call the marines. His eyes sent a different message. She saw only her friend, hurt and devastated before her. Anyone else would have elicited a groan of annoyance, but this was Lee and he needed her. "Lee?"

His voice was soft and childlike. "I killed them. Just like that. I watched my hand crush his throat." His head fell into his lap and his body trembled.

Kara rushed forward and sank to her knees in front of him. She reached out her arm and lifted his chin to face her. "It was Thirteen, Lee. Not you. I know you didn't do it. We all know it. No one blames you."

Lee's voice now trembled. "I couldn't stop him. I wasn't strong enough."

Kara sat completely on the shower bottom and wrapped an arm around him. "You're the strongest man I know. You've fought it longer than anyone could have expected. You can't give up now."

Lee's eyes pleaded with her. "I… It hurts so much. I'm so alone."

"You're not alone Lee. We're still here for you. We always will be." She pulled him closer, feeling the heat from his body. She prayed it brought him some comfort. Lords knew how she always appreciated being enveloped in Lee Adama's comforting hugs, although she'd never let him know how much it meant to her.

"Oh gods, Kara." Lee sank into her embrace and his own arm swung out and returned the embrace.

Kara wouldn't ever be able to tell how it started. Someone's hand strayed and someone else responded. Soon, their lips were locked in a passionate kiss while excited hands stroked and roamed the other's body. It seemed both needed to feel something other than despair.

Kara's towel had slipped open in the process and Lee's mouth immediately moved down her neck, planting soft, tender kisses as he descended. Kara responded by moving her hand between his leg and cupping him. Instinctively the fingers of her other hand trailed up and worked at his trousers. She was lost in the pleasure Lee was providing. Her body writhed without thought as Lee's fingers stroked and rubbed her core again and again. She cried out in bliss, wanting more and moving her hands to create the same desire in him. He increased his actions, dipping a finger in and adding another as she moaned in pleasure. She waited for his own sigh, but heard only his laughter, cold, cruel laughter. She pulled back, suddenly numb.

She saw his cold, calculating eyes. "Lee?" The name pathetically escaped her lips.

He laughed all the harder and then abruptly stopped. "My, you want him badly. Was it good for you?"

"Bastard. Let him go!" Kara felt incredibly vulnerable and she knew her words were useless.

"So he can finish you off?" Thirteen smiled and mocked her, repeating Lee's words. "I… It hurts so much. I'm so alone." He watched her shock settle in. "Did you really think frakking you would be enough to hold on to Lee?" He leaned in toward her, as she had backed against the opposite wall. "How easily you believed he needed you."

"You're going to die." She spit out, struggling to find her inner warrior.

He stood, rezipped his pants, and glowered at her. "Not today and certainly not by your hands, Starbuck." He stepped to the front of the shower stall. "This has been fun. Although next time, you need to finish what you start."

She lunged at him. He lashed out and caught her alongside the head. She fell backward against the shower stall, unconscious. Thirteen slipped out of quarters, sight unseen.