The End

Cottle got his revenge for Lee's threat by keeping him another two weeks. He wasn't ready for return to duty, but no longer needed constant medical care.

Lee surprised everyone by willingly agreeing to spend his recuperation on Cloud Nine. There he would rest, relax and see Doctor Athelis. He didn't try and fool anyone. The experience with Thirteen had scarred his psyche. The guilt weighed heavily on him and dreams tormented his sleep. He couldn't help but wonder if he even wanted to return to Galactica.

Adama again flew his son over, much to Tigh's dismay. "You are coming back, RIGHT?"

Both Adama and Lee had laughed. Lee was again settled into his room on Cloud Nine and after a hearty dinner, they were enjoying a drink by the pool before Adama was to head back. He stared at his son with a strange expression on his face.

"What?" Lee demanded, feeling uncomfortable at the scrutiny.

Adama smiled. "My son, all grown up. Where did the time go?"

Lee's first instinct still flew to bitterness, but he shoved it aside. They were long past the need. "Dad…" Lee groaned instead.

Adama chuckled. "Didn't know your old man was a sentimental fool, did ya?" He sighed. "I didn't know I was either." He took a long drink and went on. "There are days I think this is all a dream and I'll walk on to your mother's porch and my boys, my little boys will greet me with smiled and the best hugs…" He shook his head. "And then here you are, sitting next to me, a grown man…"

"Dad… I can't thank you enough." Lee's voice was calm and unemotional. It was obvious he wasn't comfortable with Adama's confession. He wasn't ready to think about happier, simpler times.

Adama was remotely frustrated his son still struggled to accept his love. "Lee, you don't have to. It's my job." He saw immediately it was the wrong thing to say. Lee's expression changed to a scowl. He thought for a moment on what he hoped were the right words. "You're my son. I'm your father. I know it didn't always seem like I cared, Lee. But I always did. I'd do anything for you. I promise you. It's always been that way and always will."

"I'm not a little boy any more, dad. Those days are gone… in more ways than one." Lee was quiet, thinking about what his father had just said. "You're right though. There was a time I would have never believed that you cared and there were times you really acted as if you didn't."

Adama winced, but felt a spark of hope. "But now?"

"Through it all, I didn't want to let you down. I couldn't let the Cylons get to you through me… despite all we've been through."

Adama grinned. "You were protecting me? It's my job to protect you." He paused, sipping his drink. He knew there were more untouched issues between them. There was one glaring at him from the depths of his heart. "I couldn't tell you about the residual poison, Lee. I couldn't bear seeing you live with the fear and doubt."

Lee sighed. "Protecting me, huh?" He grew quiet again and concentrated on the remainder of his drink. He swirled it dangerously close to the top of his glass. "Sometimes we do dumb things, huh…"

"For love…" Damn! Why can't I just tell him I love him? He squirmed in his chair and then settled again. "I'm proud of you, Lee. You fought so hard. You never gave up."

"Everyone keeps saying I didn't give up. I asked you to kill me, dad. Isn't that giving up?" Lee questioned. He hadn't considered what it would cost his father to take such a step. All at once, it came to him. "You wouldn't have done it, would you? Despite what you promised?"

Adama looked into his glass, anywhere but Lee's probing eyes. "No, I wouldn't do it. I would never give up on you."

Lee didn't know how to feel. Part of him was angry and betrayed and another was encircled with love.

Adama finally looked to Lee. "I knew we'd find a way."

"You never doubted it?"

Adama smiled. "Despite what you may think, Lee. I never doubt you. You're my son."

"I'll try and remember that." Lee whispered. He was looking deep inside and wondered if a small amount of weight had just lifted from his soul.

BSG

Lee spent several weeks rebuilding his body, mind and soul on Cloud Nine. He was helped along the way by Athelis and frequent visits from Kara and his father. He ignored the occasional distrusting glare from a civilian who still thought he was a Cylon, but all in all, he was on the way to health.

There'd been intense stress in the beginning of his stay. Athelis had suggested Lee didn't need to return to his old life. He could move on and resign his commission. Adama had been devastated to learn Lee was considering it. He had become so accustom to Lee's presence on board, the Galactica had been more a home than ever before.

Lee struggled with the decision. Had there not been a cylon attack that nearly cost an entire civilian ship, he might have followed through on the resignation. Lee had watched the battle from an observation deck and felt compelled to fight. His body had itched for the rush of battle. The frustration of merely watching and being incapable of helping, left him more drained than the fear of return.

Lee had been bragging about morning jogs in the phony sunshine, so Kara joined him one morning. They finished toward the entrance of the park and Lee stopped to catch his breath and stretch at the gate. He knew Kara did the same behind him. A slight cramp came over him and he reached out to grab the bars of the gate for support. Suddenly, he froze. His eyes were fixed to the bars. A chill passed through his heart and his body shivered.

Kara's hand settled on his. "I'm sorry, Lee. We had to do it… It's over now."

Lee drew in a deep breath and turned to look at her. "I know. It just threw me for a second. I needed to be caged."

"Thirteen needed to be caged," she corrected him immediately. "Lee Adama could never be caged. He's a free spirit." She grinned broadly.

He laughed softly. "Free spirit?"

She laughed at the irony and tried to explain it. "Well, free thinker, at least."

Again, he raised an eyebrow in her direction. "You do know I'm in the military, right?"

"Not here." She glanced around and held out her hand. "Let's get breakfast."

He stared at her hand and grew pensive.

"What's wrong Lee?"

"I can't believe you offer me your hand so lightly after what I… he did to you." His words were barely audible.

She grabbed Lee's tanks and pulled him forward. "If I was afraid of him, I wouldn't have gotten in that raptor. I'm fine, Lee and you're going to be."

"He really twisted things around between us," he added subtly. "Didn't he?"

This was the question Kara had been trying to answer herself. She released Lee, pushed him back and tuned away as she spoke. "Yeah, he did."

Lee watched her back, gulping for air. Kara's reaction wasn't what he expected. He stretched out his arm and touched her shoulder. "Kara. He did, right?"

Kara turned back to face him, her lips pursed. "Lee, I love you. I do… I just don't know…"

He smiled and cut her off. "if it's in that way?" He began to laugh.

His attitude pissed her off and she punched his shoulder. She'd done it without thought and caught his healing wound. He winced and doubled over. "Oh gods, Lee. I'm sorry. I didn't think…"

He grimaced, but straightened. "Don't worry about it. I'm used to you not thinking."

"I wasn't thinking then either." She read the confusion on his face. "In the showers. I was running on instinct. I thought it was you and I responded to it."

"When you first came in, it was me." He confided. "Thirteen took over so quickly."

"I got in my revenge against him, Lee. You lived." She smiled and tossled his hair. "Come on, I'm hungry."

Lee took a step to follow her, but stopped. "Maybe we should clean up first?"

Kara looked back at him, grinning. "Nope, I'm not risking a shower with you until I've had some breakfast."

Lee blushed beet red and stammered nonsense. Kara broke into a fit of laughter and ran toward the main building.

BSG

Lee took a deep, cleansing breath and stepped off the shuttle onto Galactica's civilian deck. He glanced around for overly familiar faces and let out the breath he'd been holding when he found none.

He slipped into the corridor and made his way to his bunk. He wanted to stow his stuff and change before reporting for duty. He'd had his last session with Agron that morning. He wasn't expected until later that day or the following morning. Lee was itching to get back to a more normal life.

"Captain?" Hotdog gushed, when Lee stepped out of the showers.

Lee smiled. "Hotdog, good to see you."

Hotdog offered his hand. "I'm so glad you're back, sir."

Lee raised an eyebrow, surprised at the statement. "Why's that?"

Hotdog stared, as if it should have been obvious. "Hello? Starbuck as CAG?"

Lee laughed and finished dressing.

"You'll be back on duty soon, right?" Hotdog pressed.

Lee threw his towel on his bunk. "I'm about to find out. Wish me luck."

"Good Hunting, sir!" Hotdog called after him.

Lee would never know how his father knew, but he entered his father's quarters to a welcoming committee. "How?"

Adama laughed. "It's my job. In case you hadn't noticed." Adama wrapped an arm around his son's shoulders and lead him further into the room.

President Roslin and Starbuck hugged him, while Cottle and Tigh both offered their hands.

It was obvious Lee was overwhelmed by the reception. He stumbled over his words. "Thanks… I…" He offered the papers in his hand to his father. "It's my official return to duty paperwork."

Adama grinned as he accepted them. "Consider yourself returned."

Kara let out a scream of joy and when Tigh added his own, "thank the gods" the room erupted in laughter.

Adama winked at the president and took the opening presented. "Starbuck, you've done a good job as CAG."

She corrected him. "Temporary CAG, sir!"

He retrieved a small box from his desk. "It's my honor to present these to you." He handed her the box, now open to reveal captain's insignia. "Congratulations Captain Thrace."

Kara was stunned and speechless. She finally whispered, "thank you, sir."

Adama grinned. "Thank President Roslin. The promotions were her idea." He added with mocked annoyance. "As far as I'm concerned, you went AWOL."

The group turned to face Roslin and she explained. "I wasn't thinking clearly when I promoted Admiral Adama all those months ago. I just assumed the rest would follow. I've learned since then."

"Thank you, Madame President" Kara offered and then added. "Promotions?"

All eyes looked to Colonel Tigh. He waved them off. "Not me. I've got no desire to be a Commander." He looked at the admiral. "There's only one commander for the Galactica and it's not me. I've got the wrong name."

Adama frowned and retrieved two additional boxes. Opening the first, he presented Lee with major insignia. "Congratulations, Major Adama."

Lee couldn't help but think he was dreaming. "But I… I haven't even been on duty in…"

Lee couldn't accept the box. His hands were frozen to his sides, so Adama took the liberty of changing out his son's rank.

Roslin beamed with pride. "I said they were long overdue and so…" She took the second box from Adama. "is this." She pulled the lid off the second box to reveal the Colonial Medal of Honor. "I know this should be presented at a formal recognition ceremony, but we all agreed you wouldn't attend." She smirked and stepped back as she freed the medal from the case.

"Major Lee Adama, for service above and beyond the call of duty, under severe duress and the most trying of circumstances, I hearby award you the highest honor in the Colonial Fleet, the Medal of Honor. The Admiral got his with the promotion. This was also long overdue." She choked on her words when she finally looked up to meet Lee's expression. Tears formed in her eyes. "All of humanity thanks you."

Lee couldn't move. He couldn't respond. He was beyond overwhelmed. He carried so much guilt; the idea of being commended was incomprehensible to him. He couldn't speak. He alternated between swallowing and licking his now parched lips.

The president stepped forward and pinned the medal on his chest.

Cheers were called out from all and a small celebration ensued. When Lee was left alone in the office with his father, he still hadn't said much.

"Sorry to surprise you with that. It was all her idea, although I don't disagree." Adama said, as he stretched into his couch. "I suppose it might have been too close to your return?"

"I…" Lee still couldn't describe his feelings.

Adama chuckled. "Don't even try." He enjoyed seeing his son lost for words. He knew Lee struggled with his confidence. It was an inevitable problem when you were a colonial officer's son, but it humbled him as a father to see his son like this. "So, ready for duty tomorrow?"

Lee nodded and smiled. "Yes, sir. I'm anxious to get back."

"You might not be so anxious when you see your desk. I won't tell you how far behind on reports Kara is." Adama taunted.

"I expected as much." Lee replied confidently. "I'm ready."

Adama studied his son. "Yes, you are."

Lee returned his father's gaze. "Did you doubt that?" It was a jab as well.

Adama shook his head. "You've been through a lot. I suspect you're a changed man."

"I can't change anything that happened and I'll always carry the guilt…"

"But, you've got to move on." Adama finished.

Lee smiled. "No regrets. My dad taught me that."

Adama beamed at the comment. "He must be a wise man."

Lee wasn't about to let his father get smug. "Occasionally!"

A/N: Thanks for reading... Good Bye and Good Night