A/N: Well here is the next chapter. This chapter is not very long and contains more fluff than substance, but it's necessary to move the story to the next point. I want to thank everyone for their reviews, but I need more to be inspired to continue. I can't believe I am becoming a review hound, but they make me feel good and that you want me to continue.

There is a line in Chapter 11 that I did not give the translation for and someone asked what does it mean. So here it is "Ananka-I d'oude theoi machontai" Even the Gods do not fight necessity, and yes it is Greek.

So happy reading and please review!

Chapter 12: The Burden of Proof

"So what do you guys do here for fun?" Helo asks Apollo as they headed away from the conference room.

"Well we don't have an amusement park," Lee replies glancing at Kara. "There is always a triad game going on and pyramid sometimes."

"In other words, you're pretty much bored out of your skulls," Helo says laughing at the scowl on Lee's face.

"Sorry that we lost pretty much everything that mattered to us, or that we spend most of our time engaged in combat with toasters that want to end humanity. We use to be a real riot up to a little over 3 years ago," Lee says more defensively than he intended.

"Hey tell him to pull the stick out of his ass," Helo whispers directly in Kara's ear. She punches him lightly on the shoulder and the two share a chuckle.

"I didn't mean any harm man," Helo replies holding his hands up in the air. "We understand what it is like losing everything you care about."

Kara leans over and whispers in Lee's ear, "Ease up on him. He lost both parents and five sisters. Having a good time is the way he forgets that life sucks."

"I apologize for that outburst; it was uncalled for," Lee said holding out his hand to Helo. After only a slight hesitation Helo grasps his hand firmly and they share a smile.

"So does he get to help plan this party?" Lee asks Kara.

"What party?" Helo pipes up all ears. "If there is going to be a party, then there must be a Wolf Pack." He says getting very excited.

"Hey don't get your hopes up. That's a rare occurrence and I don't think Apollo here is ready for that experience," Kara says throwing Lee a sly smile.

"What is a Wolf Pack?" Lee asks.

"Sorry dear boy, can't let that particular cat out of the bag; it would spoil the fun," Helo answers him with a shrug.

Lee could tell that the two of them had a secret between them and they were not going to share it with him. He'd have to remember to try and coax it out of Kara later. They continued on through the corridors garnering looks from everyone that they passed. People were curious about the blond pilot that was rumored to be from Earth and who seemed to have Apollo as her personal bodyguard. Arriving at the mess hall, Lee let them precede him in and told the marines to take up position on the inside hatchway.

"Did you bring it?" Kara asks Helo.

"Of course I did. I'm surprised that you hadn't packed it into your survival bag," Karl replies handing her a small case.

"I didn't know I was going to end up here," she replies stealing a look at Lee.

"You going to tell me what is going on between the two of you?" He asks leaning close to her. They were best friends and he could read her unlike anyone else. He could feel the energy that crackled between those two.

"I'll tell you once I get it figured out," she says grabbing a tray and getting in line behind Lee.

"What's that?" Lee asks indicating the small case in her hands as they sat down at a empty table. Kara turned the small case over in her hands, pulled the zipper open and pulled out a small, flat red object with what looked like a small screen.

"This is my music. I can't go for very long without listening to it," she says pulling out the ear buds.

"It's one of the older models. Kara can't seem to catch up to the rest of us who live on the cutting edge of technology," Kara says bumping her shoulder gently. She looks up at him and laughs. "Even her jet is an older model."

"Actually the Valkyrie is the original fighter jet built by my grandfather," Kara says to Lee. "He gave it to me as a graduation present. He told me that the prototype was better than the schematics he turned over for production of the fighter jets for the UAG."

"You know Cally is furious that her baby is over here. She told me that if there is so much as a scratch on him when you get back, she'll kick your ass all the way back to the Milky Way," Karl says laughing at the image.

"I'll take that under advisement," Kara says joining in the laughter.

"So Starbu..."

No Helo, Artemis," Kara corrects him gently placing a finger over his lips. Karl's eyes got wide and he looks between Lee and Kara. He shook his head as if not quite believing what she was trying to tell him.

"Does that make him.."

"Apollo?" Kara finishes for him, locking eyes with Lee. "Yes it does."

"Holy shit, that old coot Chiron was right !" Karl exclaims looking at Kara in astonishment.

"Yes, it does seem that way."

"So Artemis, tell me about this party we're planning," he said grinning foolishly at her.

&&&&

William Adama sat down heavily in one of the chairs that he managed to pull out from the table. He looked to find that Laura to had sat down and was looking at the two women still standing with something akin to astonishment.

"Did you think that those of us on Earth didn't know where we came from?" Cassandra asks sitting down.

"We weren't sure what you knew. Afterall Earth was just a myth that was disregarded until circumstances forced us to delve more deeply," Laura replies.

"We had to be a little more prepared," Helena says joining in the conversation. Cass shook her head at her friend. Helena had a tendency to understate the obvious, it was her special gift.

"Where do you want to start?' Bill asks.

"Maybe we should get breakfast sent down to us. I get this feeling we are going to be here awhile," Laura says getting up and sending one of the marines down to the mess to bring back food for all of them. She came back in and sat down, glancing briefly at the book that still sat in the middle of the table.

"What's the book about?" Laura asks directing the question to Cassandra.

"That is a complete account of everything that happened from the moment the Lords of Kobol pulled us off of The Galleon before the Exodus," she replies watching as they both drew in sharp breaths. She saw the color drain from the President's face and the Admiral looked like she had just shot his ship from underneath him.

"I think we better order some Ambrosia to go with breakfast," Bill says looking at Laura. They both had a gut feeling that these two were not done shocking them.

"You're not telling us that you were at the Exodus over two thousand years ago?" Laura asks incredulous.

"No we weren't, but our ancestors were," Helena replies opening the book to the first page. "Twelve families; Agathon, Anders, Avery, Cain, Eleni, Konstatinos, Onasis, Petros, Stavros, Thalia, Thrace, and Vasilios; later called the Council of Twelve were asked to make a sacrifice in the name of humanity."

"They were asked to take their families and journey to the Gates of Hera. They were to join the people going to Earth to follow the Thirteenth Lord of Kobol," Cass says turning to the next page. Laura looks closely at the page and realizes that it is in a language she can't read.

"Wait a minute," Laura says holding up her hand. "Is this written in Ancient Kobol?"

"Yes it is," Cass says. "To this day all the members of the Council are required to learn it as well as their successor upon time of initiation."

Laura sits back stunned. What these two have told them leaves her light headed and a feeling of foreboding passes through her. She misses the look that passes between the women as they regard her.

"Do you have dreams or hallucinations?" Helena asks her quietly. Laura's head snaps up and she regards the dark haired woman with trepidation.

"We all have dreams," Laura replies, trying to direct the attention away from herself.

"I believe you know what I mean?" Helena responds with a slight smile on her face. "The line of prophets is not dead; you just don't know what to look for."

The soft rap at the door made all the occupants jump. They had been so focused on each other, the thought of food had slipped from their minds. Bill stood up, strode to door and opened it. He was momentarily surprised to see Kara standing there with a cart heavily laden with food. He moves aside to allow her to enter and glances down the hall to see Lee talking with a tall young man.

"Breakfast is served," Kara replies. "Admiral, I had your coffee made the way you prefer it and Commodore, your chocolate is hot and made with milk instead of water, although the young cook in the kitchen disagrees with your preference of milk." Kara moved around to where her mother was sitting placing the cup in front of her. Cassandra looked up into the clear green eyes of her daughter and smiled knowingly.

"What do you want Kara?" He mother asks her with a knowing smile. Kara's head shoots up at hearing her name pass her mother's lips. She also had the good grace to look nervous; it was uncanny how well this woman could read her.

"I would like your clearance to take Major Adama aboard the Capricorn, Monterey and possibly the Olympus," she replies. Cassandra looks at her with one eyebrow raised in question.

"We are planning a rather large social gathering for both crews to 'break the ice'. I'd like to take the Major over to see how my plan would unfold," Kara replies look directly at her mother.

"If his Admiral is alright with it then I'll grant my clearance," Cass says looking at Bill. He nods his assent seeing no reason to delay these to groups getting to know each other. "And I think we can forgo the guards for now. I'm sure that if the Major was up to any mischief you could handle it yourself Kara."

"Thank you sir," Kara replied snapping to attention. She just wasn't able to adopt the casual attitude her mother had been displaying with her. Cass hid the brief moment of disappointment and dismissed her daughter.

"How about we take a brief break and eat," Laura said into the room after Kara's departure. "I know I've received a few shocks today and I'll need some fortifying before we continue." The others in the room seemed to be in silently agreement as the all got up to serve themselves.

&&&&

"We're taking the shuttle Kara; you know you can't land a fighter on the Monterey," Karl said with a little exasperation in his voice. The two of them had been arguing as Lee led them through the corridors and down to the hangar bay.

"We can take the Valkyrie to the Capricorn and then take the shuttle to the Monterey and the Olympus," she said trying to reason with her deputy CAG.

"So you get to fly your fighter and I get to tag along with Helo here on the shuttle?" Lee asks with a smile. He was enjoying the banter between the two friends. They both looked at him and them bust into laughter.

"Did I say something wrong?" He asks.

"Lee the Valkyrie is a two seater," Kara says after her laughter subsided into giggles. "He was the only one designed that way; my grandfather changed the other fighters to only accommodate one pilot. So you and I can ride together." She gave him a sidelong look and a wink.

"Kara he does not have a suit or a helmet, and you know you can't use just any helmet with the FX-98," Helo points out. He watched Kara pout as she realized he was right.

"Fine we'll take the shuttle," she says, stomping away from the two of them.

"She hates it when I'm right," Helo says turning to look at Lee.

"I'm guessing that doesn't happen often," Lee says with a smirk.

"You have no idea. Hey I wanted to forewarn you because she is probably not thinking about it, but her fiancee Sam is on the Monterey," Helo says as the two of the approach the shuttle. "If he hears that she's aboard he is going to try and see her. Especially since she has been avoiding him. And I'm guessing you're the reason that has been happening."

"She's not willing to confront this particular aspect of our relationship," Lee replies. He is not sure why he is telling Helo any of this; afterall they just met and Lee is usually a very private person. "She says we'll deal with that fact that both of us have significant others later."

"That's her way of avoiding getting hurt," Helo says as the two of them board the shuttle. "And if she starts throwing punches, then it's too late; you'd be better off running."

"I hope you two are done bonding so we can get under way," Kara huffs as they finally come on board and shut the hatch. "Galactica, this is Artemis in the UAG shuttle Prometheus requesting permission for launch sequence."

"Artemis, I can't grant permission," came a feminine voice over the comm. Lee groans as he realizes that Dee was manning the comm.

"Galactica this is Apollo, departure was granted by Admiral Adama," he says.

"I'll need to verify that sir," she says with just a hint of anger.

"Please do Petty Officer Dualla," he snaps back. Kara looks up at him when she realizes who he is talking to. Calling your girlfriend by rank was a sure way to kill a relationship. "Maybe I've started to deal with my significant other."

Kara and Helo exchanged shocked glances as Lee storms to the back of the shuttle and takes a seat. Kara had never seen him angry and she was slightly shocked. As she was about to get up and go talk to him the comm crackled.

"Prometheus you have been cleared for departure. Have a good trip," Dualla says into the comm. Kara could tell it was said begrudgingly and almost felt a pang of sympathy for the woman. Maybe she needed to take a step back and examine her relationship with Lee, afterall Dualla had him first.

"Where are we going first?" Helo asks her as they clear the launch tube and settle into open space.

"Let's head over to the Monterey," she says glancing back at Lee. He was still sitting in the back row starring at nothing. She wanted to go talk to him, but her instincts were screaming at her to give him his space.

"Monterey, this is Captain Thrace requesting landing sequence," she says into the comm.

"Captain you're cleared to land on Deck C Bay 12, and Captain welcome to the Monterey," the comm officer says jovially.

"The Monterey, where everyday is a holiday," Kara and Karl singsong together. After which they both fall out laughing.

"If I didn't know any better I'd think the two of you were high or drunk," Lee said moving to the hatch after they touched down. This only made the two of them laugh even harder. Kara put a restraining hand his shoulder before he walked off the shuttle. Helo passes them, giving them a few minutes alone.

"You know it's not going to be easy," she says lifting his chin so he was looking into her eyes. The understanding and quiet adoration he sees shining back at him, stun him and bring a smile to his lips.

"Yeah, but let me tell you lady, you better be worth it," he replies kissing her softly.

"Good, cause I'd hate to have to send my boys after you," she replies sashaying out of the shuttle.

"Your boys?" He questions following her, enjoying the gentle sway of her hips and hoping they would get some time alone later.

"Apollo, I'm the CAG of the UAG Capricorn. I've got four squadrons with 25 pilots in each. That gives me 100 pilots of which 75 percent are male, so yeah my boys," she says to him with a grin. He can't help but laugh.

"Welcome to the Monterey Captain Thrace, Lieutenant Agathon and Major Adama." Lee looked at the man who was striding forward to meet them. The man was tall with blond hair that was greying and bright blue eyes. Lee was surprised to see him in a miliary uniform as he thought the Monterey was a luxury liner.

"Commodore Thalia," Kara and Karl snaps to attention.

"At ease officers, this is a social visit," he says. Lee noticed that the Commodore's gaze was riveted on Kara. He seemed as if he wanted to say something to her, but something else was preventing him from speaking. "I was with Captain Onasis when a message was forwarded from your mother that you were planning a little visit to the Monterey, so I told Cyrano I'd come down and meet you. Is there anything in particular you need?" He directs the question to Kara.

"No sir. We are planning a social for both crews, so we're going to check out the ballrooms and clubs," she replies.

"Well then enjoy your time on the Monterey, and Artemis while you are here why don't you take the Major over to the Clubhouse for lunch," the Commodore says, before he walks away.

"Alright who exactly was that?" Lee asks turning to Kara.

"Commodore Athos Thalia, commanding officer of the Sagittarius," she replies while leading them out of the bay. Karl looks at Kara and she gives him a quick nod, and he runs down a corridor leaving Apollo and Artemis alone.

"Isn't the Sagittarius the ship your mother was to command?" Lee asks her as she leads him into a cavernous room that looks like a posh hotel lobby.

"Yes, Athos Thalia was her XO and when she was made Fleet Admiral, he was promoted to Commodore. And he is the man I'm sure she was having an affair with when my dad left."

TBC