A/N: We passed the 100 reviews mark!1 Woo Hoo!! I can't thank you guys enough for all your wonderful reviews. I also apologize for another long chapter. I had planned for this chapter to be short, but it just wasn't happening. For anyone out there who likes Sam or Dualla I apologize for this chapter (I'm not a fan of either). Please enjoy and let me know what you think!
Chapter 15: Let's Party
"That's enough Captain Thrace," Helena says, forcibly pushing up from her chair. "Sit down and listen very carefully, cause I'm only going to say this once."
"I don't want to hear anything you have to say," Kara snaps, green eyes flashing dangerously.
"Too damn bad!" Helena replies. You're still an officer of the UAG and until that changes you'll do what your commanding officer tells you to do. And she is telling you to sit you ass down and shut up."
Kara bristles angrily until Lee silently coaxes her back into the chair. He leans over and whispers to her that they might just want to hear what Helena has to say, after all she is Cassandra's best friend.
"You don't have to listen, but I'm going to talk anyway," Helena says retaking her seat. She looks at each of the person sitting across the table from her, before her gaze settles on Kara. "The Council of Twelve existed from the moment we stepped on Earth. They were always dedicated members of the families, who devoted their lives to adhering to the Gods final set of instructions. They took very good care of all the people they felt were the last remnants of the real Gods. But these things made them secretive, manipulative even, and so they held themselves apart from the rest of the families."
"As centuries passed, the Council became powerful financially as well as politically, but they never wavered from the beliefs set down to them by the Lords of Kobol. Using what prophecies they deemed to be the most important, they guided the lives of certain family members with more care and interference than others." Here Helena pauses and takes a sip of the coffee that had long since turned cold. No one else moved, not wanting to break the faint tension that hung in the air.
"Now fast forwarding through several more years of dull history, we come to a point where a prophecy indicates we're getting close to being reunited with our brethren from Kobol. There were certain clues to look for and alliances to be forged. You know your mother's family; a very influential branch of the Vasilios had arranged a marriage contract with the Thraces. Cassandra had accepted that this was just an aspect of life, but that didn't stop her fighting against it every chance she got."
"So she didn't want to marry my father?" Kara asks the question with a sneer.
"That depends on which man you're referring to Captain," Helena shoots back with a soft touch of venom. "You see, your mother accepted what was expected of her; the continued co-operation of the Thrace family was vital to the UAG. The Thraces had designed most of he vessels that make up the UAG, and at this time, your grandfather, Iberis was perfecting the fighters. But Iberis was a temperamental man and no one wanted to rock his boat."
"Cassandra and Rand Thrace got along fairly well, although they were extremely different in temperament, and personal life goals. Although Cassandra had accepted that Rand would eventually be her husband, that wasn't enough to deter the attraction that had been growing between her and Athos Thalia for years. They had met at the junior academy and continued on together at the UAG academy in London. Their relationship grew stronger and several members of the Council feared the possibility of them eloping with each other."
"I'm sure that would have set the Council's teeth on edge," Kara snickers.
"To say the least," Helena replies dryly. "The Council was also concerned about another set of prophecies that basically referred to the messenger being born of the Thraces but not through the Thraces. For a long time this message had the Council chasing their tails until Chiron Thalia gives them another piece of prophecy that tells them the messenger will be a direct descendant of the line of prophets."
"That would mean he'd need to be born to the Thalia family," Laura remarks, drawing Helena's attention.
"Yes it would, and that set the Council in motion," Helena says looking back at Kara. "Cassandra was to marry Rand Thrace when she turned 21, and currently she was involved with Athos Thalia. It didn't take a rocket scientist to put it altogether, and once they did The Council had Cass and Athos brought to them."
"They wanted my mother and Athos to have a child, and for her to pass that child off as her husband's," Kara states in a small voice.
"You got it," Helena tells her. "Only thing is the Council didn't ask. They emphasized the importance of the prophecies and told them that this was what was commanded of them by their Gods. They could confide in no one about this, and Athos was to never acknowledge his child in any way. Both of them took duty very seriously and although what the Council asked was enormous, they both capitulated."
"How was the Council able to guarantee that Cassandra wouldn't get pregnant by her husband?" Bill asks. "I'm sure he would have balked at not being able to have relations with his wife."
"That was easy," Helena remarks. "Cass told Rand she wished for a very small ceremony to be held in a civil office. As soon as she had a positive pregnancy test, her and Rand were married."
"She was already pregnant by Athos when she had her wedding night," Lee states with a small shake of his head.
"Basically; but it would not stay easy. Cassandra had a miscarriage about six weeks after her marriage to Rand. Athos had been assigned to the Capricorn to put distance between him and Cass."
"But with her having a miscarriage they needed to bring them back together," Laura says.
"Yes. So they made Cassandra the Commodore of the Sagittarius, and Athos her XO. This way they could keep the two of them in close contact. They were told to try again as soon as the doctors cleared her. It didn't take long, and once again when Cass was pregnant she was sent back to Venice Beach to be with her husband. You and Devon were born 8 months later."
"And my father was none the wiser," Kara says with a hint of sorrow in her voice.
"In the beginning he wasn't," Helena remarks. "Rand, like Cass was very much into duty and doing what was good for the families; it was the way they'd both been raised. But Cass wanted to protect you and Devon from that. It was the reason she kept you two separated from most of the teachings of our people. She knew eventually she would have to bring you both up to speed, but she felt like it could wait."
"So what went wrong with her and my father?" Kara asks now curious.
"He found out about Athos?" Bill hazards a guess.
"Actually that didn't bother him," Helena replies shaking her head. "Rand and Cass had a lot of respect for each other, they even cared about the other; but both of them loved other people."
Kara's gasp of surprise drew everyone's attention. She seemed to be lost in memories that only she had access to. She raised startled eyes to Helena.
"Ms. Felicia," Kara whispers.
"Yes; Felicia Onasis," Helena confirms. "What drove a wedge between them was that she was selected to replace his father for the Thrace family within the Council. At first Cass was stunned that it bothered him; Rand had never shown any political aspirations. But Rand wanted to dispel the secrecy that surrounded the Council. This led to bitter fights between them and soon to avoid the whole situation, Cass stopped visiting as much."
"When did Andreas figure into this?" Kara asks interrupting.
"Cass and Athos were conducting training runs that would keep them in space for more than a full year. She became pregnant and the Council almost went through the roof."
"But let me guess," Laura says smiling. "When she gave birth to a boy the Council backed off because the child could be another potential prophet."
"You got it," Helena confirms.
"So she loved her boys more because they could serve a purpose," Kara asks. Lee grabs her hand when he hears the emotions in her voice. He turns her face to him and he can see the heartbreak in her eyes.
"She doesn't know what she's missing in not loving you," he whispers to her. She gives him a tremulous smile, then turns back to Helena.
"Kara, I'm sorry that you were hurt; are still hurting," Helena says to her with what seems like real feeling and conviction. "Cass became privy to all the prophecies when she took over as The Thrace within the Council. A lot of those prophecies seem to center around her children, all of them," Helena says with meaning. "She felt she had to detach herself somewhat to be able to do the things that would need to be done. But worse than that, some of the prophecies make it seems as if she is going to lose you Kara; wether to death, the cylons or something else entirely is still not clear."
"She tried to protect herself from the pain that would come from losing a child?" Bill asks in his quiet voice.
"It didn't work that way though. As much as you infuriate her, fight with her and in general just send her into rages; Cass is extremely proud of you. She constantly holds you up as an example of the type of officer the UAG wants. She's still determined to do whatever it takes to destroy the cylons..."
"Even sacrifice her own child?" Lee asks astonished.
"I can't answer that," Helena says honestly. "All I can say is that she would probably kill Kara herself instead of letting the cylons have her. That is the one thing that can never happen."
"I'm guessing you can't elaborate on that?" Bill asks.
"Not can't Admiral, won't," Helena says with a sigh. As Laura is about to interject something else, Helena holds up her hand. "I'm not saying we never will, but that needs to be up to Cass. She heads the Council, but she'd want to the whole Council to be present when talk of the prophecies are discussed."
Silence descends into the conference room, as each person is lost within their own thoughts. After a few moments the silence is broken by a knock on the door, then one of the marines allowing Helo to enter.
"Commodore Cain, the Fleet Admiral is ready to return to the Capricorn," Helo states standing at attention.
"Thank you Lieutenant Agathon," Helena says rising from her chair.
"She also wishes to suspend further talks til after the party sir; if that is ok with you," Helo says addressing Admiral Adama.
"I don't see that as being a problem," he responds shaking his head. "I'm sure we all have a lot to think about for now."
"She also understands that you have a lot to do Captain Thrace for said parties, so she is allowing you a couple days leave," Helo says smiling to Kara. "She is also giving Major Adama free access to accompany you aboard the Capricorn. And last, she would like to have a small meeting with you Madame President, to go over the things your civilian vessels need; and begin to get those things distributed."
"Tell her I'm available to her at her convenience," Laura says with a small smile. The thought of getting the whole fleet replenished was more than enough to make these talks more than worth is to Laura.
"Please give what I've told you some serious consideration," Helena says grabbing one of Kara's hands. Kara gasps in shock at the slight intimate contact from her commanding officer. "If anything happened to her, she gave custody of you too me. It's been that way since the day you were born. She didn't trust anyone else to protect you and make sure you didn't get lost or exploited."
"I have a lot to think through," Kara says in a voice chocked with emotions. "And I guess I should see if Commodore Thalia is receptive to talking with me."
"Let me assure you; the Commodore would be tickled pink," Helena tells her with a huge grin. "You have to understand that he's had to grieve the lost of both of his sons; and one will never know his true parentage. That is something that eats at Athos everyday of his life. The possibility of being able to look into his daughter's eyes, not Captain Thrace's; would probably elate him more than I can describe."
"Commodore, we'll walk with you to the hangar bay," Bill announces, trying to give Kara some privacy to sort through everything she's been told. It still amazes him how life can change so dramatically in such a short amount of time.
"I'd appreciate that," Helena says letting go of Kara's hand and joining the small group exiting the conference room.
Lee approaches Kara and pulls her unresisting body into his arms. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving; let's go grab something to eat."
"Alright," she says to him absently, as he begins to propel her through the door. "And what's for dessert?" She asks him with an impish grin.
"Why you are my dear," he replies.
&&&&
The next couple of days rushed by in a blur for Kara. Planning one party was enough to have given her a headache, but several parties on several different ships was turning into the mother of all headaches. Two ballrooms on the Monterey had been decorated and tables set up, with large areas left clear for dancing. Food was to be kept simple, just for the sake of simplicity. Not too mention the huge elaborate dinner she had planned for the Council, Quorum, Admiral Adama and President Roslin. The menu was so extensive that the head chef on the Monterey demanded that Kara come and help him with some of the prep. It was actually a nice soothing 3 hours, but she had no intentions of letting Aubryn know that, or he'd find some way to keep her in his kitchen.
The Oasis amusement park was more than glad to be hosting the colonials fo a day of relaxing fun that they were sure hadn't been enjoyed by the colonists since their worlds were destroyed. The only problem was that the Oasis could only hold 2000 people, and to really enjoy the park, you'd need a whole day. So Kara came up with the idea that the colonist who had children should get the first round of tickets. With the help of President Roslin's office, eleven hundred tickets were distributed to families; the next round of tickets went to adults who volunteered to take the children from the orphan ship. The last couple hundred tickets she gave to Lee, to auction off to the Galactica crew.
She had arranged with the Captain of the Rising Star to use a couple of their facilities for civilian parties. Kara had sent more than enough supplies and staff to help with the preparations. Th Captain was so thrilled that he repeatedly invited her to have dinner with him. Kara that it was endearing, but Lee wasn't taking it very well. She found that endearing as well.
Kara was now sitting in her quarters finishing up some last minute paperwork, before getting ready for the party on the Capricorn. She had flown her patrol, even though she's been excused from duty by the Fleet Admiral. She had also avoided her mother for the past couple of days, still needing time to muddle over everything she had learned so far. Kara was not surprised to find a long letter from Athos waiting for her when she had returned to the Capricorn. She was saving that for later, when she could devote her complete attention to it's contents.
She heard the shower turn off, and a few moments later Lee joined her in the main room wearing just a towel. She admire the clean, muscular lines of his chest and abdomen; she wished that the towel hugging his hips would slip a little so she could get a good look at his ass.
"Stop wishing," he says glancing at her face. "You're the one who said they didn't have time for a little one on one." He reminds her.
"I still have things to do," she replies walking over to him and placing her hands on his chest. She reaches up and pulls his head down to her's, lightly brushing her lips across his. "We've got tonight, and tomorrow; but I really do still have a ton of things to oversee and only a couple of hours left." She brushes his lips again, and sighs deeply as he pulls her flush against his body.
"Helo will be here in a little while, and I want the two of you to behave," she says giving him a stern look.
"Of course we'll behave," he says as she steps from his arms. He watches as she grabs her duffle and garment bag on her way to the door.
"You don't know Helo. Behaving is a foreign concept for him; and he likes company when he get's into trouble. I'll see you later Lee." She says to him from the doorway. He arches an eyebrow at the look on her face, and let's out a deep moan as the door closes behind her. That woman was going to be the death of him yet; and he'd die a happy man if he was in her arms.
&&&&
Helo and Lee were on the hangar deck when Galactica's vipers were rolled into the bay. His pilots were being helped out of the cockpits and shown to three sets of barracks that had been reserved for their use. Lee watched Helo's expression as Racetrack made her way over to them. He'd have to talk to Kara about Helo and his intentions concerning one of his pilots.
"Major," Racetrack saluted, coming to full attention.
"At ease Lieutenant," Lee smiles. "No formality tonight; we're here to party.
"Yes Apollo," she replies giving him a small grin. "The CAP is under way and everyone has their scheduled rotations. The UAG also has patrols out there, so we should be well covered. Sir, I'm sorry, but I tried to tell Lieutenant Dualla that this party was reserved for the pilots and deck crews, but she insisted."
"Maggie relax. I'll handle it," Lee reassures her. "How about you go change, and Racetrack try to enjoy yourself tonight."
"Will do sir," she says as she follows another group from the hangar bay.
Lee turns to watch Helo as he watches Maggie leave the area. Helo glances over at Lee, and gives him a sheepish grin.
"Let me guess off limits?" Helo asks.
"That's not up to me, but I warn you, don't play with her," Lee says with a hint of steel in his voice. Helo inclines his head in acknowledgment.
"Well that was the last of my pilots," he states as the hangar bay empties out, leaving the two of them alone.
"So let's head down to the observation lounge, and get this party started," Helo says clasping Lee on the shoulder. The two of them walk in silence as Helo leads the way. Lee laughs as he sees his pilots glancing around at the luxury of the Capricorn. They were all used to living on a battlestar that had seen much better days, but the luxury of the Capricorn could still be a little overwhelming.
"So who is this Dualla?" Helo asks Lee casually.
"Let's just say Artemis has Sam; and I have Dualla," Lee replies.
"This is going to be one interesting night," Helo replies glancing at Apollo.
"I just hope not a messy one," Apollo pleads.
"Messy is what Starbuck does," Helo laughs. The two of them entered the observation lounge which was already overflowing with pilots and crew from all four ships. Smaller parties were being held on the Sagittarius and Pieces for crew members who were just not up for the larger party on the Capricorn.
Lee noticed that a medium sized stage had been set up in front of the huge observation window; it was draped in a black cloth hiding whatever was lurking behind it. There were tables set all along the perimeter two rows deep. Each table was draped with a black tablecloth, a candle in the center, and what looked like a camera to Lee.
"What's up with the cameras?" Lee asks Helo.
"Kara can be funny sometimes," Helo grins back. "She says there is nothing more amusing than a bunch of drunk pilots trying to take pictures." Lee shakes his head chuckling.
There were two bars set up, and the lines to get served were already horrendous. Lee scanned the room looking for Dualla when her first walked in. He spotted her standing over by the stage in one of the few clear spots in the room. He decided to let the crowd be a buffer for a little while longer. Music was playing over speakers that seemed to be well hidden, and few people had already taken to the dance floor. Lee turns his head when he gets a slight nudge from Helo.
"That's Sam," he points out, and Lee turns to look at a tall, dark haired man surrounded by several women.
"Doesn't look like he lacks for company of the opposite sex," Lee comments dryly.
"He never has," Helo replies. "Sam's always been a ladies man; him and Devon both. The two of them never failed to attract a horde of adoring women."
"I can see why Kara would be drawn to him," Lee mutters, noting how the other man had an easy confidence about him that couldn't go unnoticed.
"Actually it's more like he's drawn to her," Helo replies. "He's half heartedly chased her for years; but once Devon was gone she turned to Sam naturally." Helo had been maneuvering the two of the over to a table where a few other pilots from the Capricorn were seated. He quickly made the introductions as he and Lee took the last empty seats.
Just as Lee was about to say something, the lights dimmed and someone walked out onto the stage. The place went wild, and the pilots and crew from Galactica looked around in confusion. Only a single person dressed in white was standing on the stage, and they didn't understand what all the fuss was about.
"Well it's good to see you guys also," the girl says with a grin. Lee is assuming that she's wearing some sort of wireless microphone as he can hear her voice over the hidden speakers, but there is no microphone on stage. "This has been a long time in the making..."
The lights go out, five spot lights bath the stage in a mellow blue light, and the sound of drums split the room, followed by a sexy alto voice. As the crowd goes completely wild, the black curtains open revealing five women on the stage. A small dark haired woman on drums, if Lee remembers correctly her name is Cally. He knew the pilot on the digital keyboard was the blond bombshell Cosmo. He also knew the redhead on guitar was Vegas, and on bass guitar was Mahogany.
Lalala lalala la la lala la Ohhh
You know... I never felt like this before
Lalala lalala la la lala la Ohhh
Feels like.. so real
"I GIVE YOU THE WOLF PACK!!" And with that the crowd surged onto the floor in front of the stage, screaming and gyrating with the music. Lee felt almost as caught up as everyone else, until her realized that the lead singer was Kara. He felt his heart slam against his rib cage and all the air rush out of his lungs. Not only could she sing, but damn the woman was hot, and she held this crowd in the palm of her hand.
I'm obsessive when just one thought of you comes up
And I'm aggressive just one thought of close enough
You got me stressing, incessantly pressing the issue
'Cause every moment gone you know I miss you
I'm the question and you're of course the answer
Just hold me close boy 'cause I'm your tiny dancer
You make me shaken up, never mistaken
But I can't control myself, got me calling out for help
"Oh shit!" exclaims Helo. "I can't believe she's singing this song."
"Why?" Lee asks, tearing his gaze from the woman on the stage to look at Helo.
"This was the song that Kara opened every show with, it became the signature song for the Wolf Pack," Helo says, still stunned. "It was her, I'm on the prowl song. Every guy went crazy when she sang this song. Sam asked her to stop singing it when they got engaged. She hasn't preformed it in 3 years."
"Oh Gods," Lee mummers, rubbing his face with his hands. "Let me guess; this is going to turn messy."
"No doubt about it," Helo says grinning like a fool.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?'
"You have no idea," Helo says slapping Lee on the back.
All around them people had gotten out of their seats and headed for the dance floor. Lee got a good moment to look at Kara, and he couldn't help smiling at what he saw. Her blond hair was wildly streaked with neon blue highlights, and on her long legs she had shear blue stockings. Lee had never thought he'd see this particular woman in a skirt, but the black mini-skirt looked damn good on her and showed off her sexy legs. The small blue satin camisole she wore left her midriff bare, and he notices that her navel was pierced. And although the crowd only had eyes for her, Kara had her eyes on him.
S.O.S. please someone help me.
It's not healthy... for me to feel this way
Y.O.U. are making this hard,
I can't take it, see it don't feel right
S.O.S. please someone help me
It's not healthy... for me to feel this way
Y.O.U. are making this hard
You got me tossin' and turnin' and can't sleep at night
This time please someone come and rescue me
'Cause you on my mind it's got me losing it
I'm lost, you got me lookin' for the rest of me
Love is testing me but still I'm losing it
This time please someone come and rescue me
'Cause you on my mind, it's got me losing it
I'm lost, you got me looking for the rest of me,
Got the best of me, so now I'm losing it
Black and blue balloons fall from the ceiling, and the crowd began to wildly grab for them. Each balloon had a small card attached to it, and Lee had no problem grabbing a couple from where he was sitting. He looked over to Helo, who grinned at him as he held up two balloons of his own.
"Little treats and prizes courtesy of the Alpha female in this room," Helo tells him all smiles.
Just your presence and I second guess my sanity
Yes it's a lesson, it's unfair, you stole my vanity
My tummy's up in knots so when I see you I get so hot
My common sense is out the door, can't seem to find the lock
Take on me (uh huh) you know inside you feel it right
Take me on, I could just die up in your arms tonight.
I'm out with you, you got me head over heels
Boy you keep me hanging on the way you make me feel
Lee sat through three more songs before he indicated to Helo that he was going for a drink. Helo added his order and beckoned Racetrack over as Lee walked away. Lee approaches the bar and manages to skirt around the small group of people around Sam; he was not ready to deal with that can of worms. But he wasn't able to escape his own personal dilemma.
"Were you going to ask me to dance Lee?" Dualla asks coming up behind him. Lee sighs audibly and turns to face her. Dualla was wearing a strapless, black gown that showed off her figure quite well. The heels she wore almost brought them eye to eye, and his eyes were drawn to her neck, which was adorned with a wide gold choker.
"Dualla, you know you shouldn't be here," Lee says turning to face her. He sees her eyes narrow slightly, and groans mentally. He doesn't wish to cause a scene.
"Does that mean you don't want me here?" She asks, her voice filled with something more than just anger.
"I don't wish to do this here, or now for that matter," Lee says. He turns and gives his order to the bartender.
"Fine Lee," she snarls loud enough for a couple people close to them to turn and stare. "Just let me know when you can get around to your previous obligations."
"You're not my obligation Dee," he responds feeling the anger rise within him. He takes several deep breaths to regain some control and faces her again. "Dee I'm sorry if I've hurt you, but obviously we can't continue in this fashion. It's over, so let it go."
"It's not over Lee," Dee hisses at him. "She only wants your for the moment. Women like her are always on the look out for the new flavor of the month. Next month it will be someone else and you'll be looking for what you had."
"I'll take my chances," Lee shoots back. The bartender places his drinks down on the bar, Lee scoops them up and walks back to the table he's sharing with Helo. He feels Dee's eyes on him the entire time. He slumps into his chair and hands Helo his drink.
"Now that looked messy," Helo remarks glancing at Dee who is still standing at the bar shooting daggers at Lee.
"It was, and it's not even over," Lee says shooting the whiskey straight back.
"And unfortunaetly my friend we're up for round two," Helo says grabbing Lee out of the chair.
Lee was only startled for a minute as he saw what Helo had picked up on first. The Wolf Pack was taking a break and as Kara stepped down from the stage, Sam had grabbed hold of her arm. She must have told him something that mad him even angrier than he first appeared, because as she turned to walk away from him, he yanked her arm pulling her against him. Artemis saw red at the same time that Apollo did. He got there just as she swung back and connected solidly with Sam's jaw. The force of the blow rocked his head to the side, but it didn't stun him. Apollo could see the fury on Sam's face and he lost all reason.
Apollo and Helo reached the group at the same time and as Karl grabbed Kara out of Sam's grip, Lee swung at Sam's face and mid section. The blow to his abdomen sent Sam to his knees, and as Lee was rearing back to hit him again, he felt someone grab his arm. He turned his head just enough to see Artemis holding his arm. His beautiful goddess was as angry as he was, but she was shaking her head no.
"Not the time or place Apollo," she whispers. Just as Sam is about to get up, red lights begin flashing and a loud repeating claxon splits the air.
"ALL CREW MEMBERS TO BATTLE STATIONS!! WE ARE AT CODE RED!! ALL CREW MEMBERS TO BATTLE STATIONS NOW!!
Fighting is not nice, but I couldn't help it. Please let me know how you like this chapter. Reviews are thrillingly anticipated.