A/N: I'm sorry that this chapter has been a long time in coming. It never flowed the way I wanted it to, but I need it to continue the story. I rushed it at the end, because moving day is here, and the computer is getting dismantled later today, but I really wanted to get this out to you guys. We are more than half way through this story, and the next couple of chapters will contain tons of information, and then be followed by lots of action.

Your reviews have been greatly appreciated, and much anticipated. This was my first fanfic and I was nervous about how it would be received, but your reviews have left me feeling warm and content that you guys like this story. Thank you.

Chapter 16: Walking Amongst Mortals

Pilots from all four ships were racing down the corridors, heading for the hangar bays, even as the claxons continued to split the air. There was ordered chaos on the hangar deck as pilots were handed flight suits, and the deck crew scrambled to get jets ready to go. Cally had the foresight to send a few people to the bunk rooms that had been given over to the visiting Galactica pilots to grab their flight suits, so they were there when the pilots began to arrive.

Lee watched Kara's pilots as they quickly divested themselves of the party clothes and shimmed into their tight fitting flight suits. They worked together as a well oiled machine, and he realized it was because they had been working together for several years. These people hadn't lost pilots to attacks from the cylons, forcing them train new pilots all the time. They had the luxury of being able to train and work together to form an almost synchronized unit.

"Come on fly boy, you don't want to miss all the action," Kara purred in his ear as she rushed past him and up the ladder to her jet. Lee shook his head laughing at her enthusiasm. His viper had some how managed to be right next her jet, and he looked over at her as he settled in his cockpit. She smiled and gave him a thumbs up, then blew him a kiss as they began to move towards the launch tubes.

"Whiskey team leader, this is Alpha team leader," Kara called over her comm as she launched into the star studded sky. "What's the situation?"

"Alpha leader, we have a group of cylon raiders," replies Ice Man. "The C.A.P. from Galactica says they are an advanced scouting party."

"We're on our way," Kara calls out.

"By the time you get here Artemis, we'll have it all cleaned up," Ice Man chuckles. "Whoa!! WHAT THE HELL!!"

"Sitrep Ice Man," Artemis calls over her comm.

"A base ship has just jumped in; almost on top of us," he responds. "They' re acting really strange. The raiders are not engaging any of our fighters; more like trying to cut a swath so they can run."

"Maybe they weren't expecting us to be here," Apollo replies. "We'll be there in 15 seconds."

"Copy that Apollo," Hot Dog calls out over the comm.

"Capricorn this is Artemis."

"Go ahead Artemis," the comm officer called out. The man looks over to the woman who had introduced herself as one of the comm officer from the Galactica. She was scowling fiercely every time Kara's voice came over the speakers.

"Please contact the Monterey and advise command of the situation," Artemis replies as they come into visual contact of the fighting.

"Acknowledge Captain," he replies while opening a channel to the Monterey.

"Apollo are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Artemis asks once they had begun to engage the enemy.

"It looks as if Ice Man was right," Apollo replies. "They are only engaging us so that they can continue their forward motion."

"If they aren't here to fight, then why don't they just jump?" Artemis questions while shooting a raider tailing Apollo's six. Somehow she had ended up on his wing, and the two fly in a synchronized pattern. They had never flown together, yet they had eerily similar flying styles.

"ALPHA LEADER WE HAVE ANOTHER BASE SHIP," was shouted over the comm.

"And something else just jumped in on their tail," Kat fires out over the frequency.

"Kat this is Apollo; can you tell what it is? Is it another base ship?" He asks her while chasing 2 heavy raiders that were headed for a civilian ship.

"It doesn't look like a cylon base star," she replies. "OH SHIT!! They're firing on us!!

"Then let's assume they're cylons and kick some ass," Artemis whoops into the comm. "Lt. Dallas, have you managed to get command?"

"I am patching them through to your frequency now Captain," he replies.

"Artemis, this Commodore Cain."

"Commodore, we have at least 2 base ships and several raiders," Artemis replies while gunning for a raider that cut into her flight path. Before she could take him out, Apollo shoots from the side and barely manages to clear the debris field. "ARE YOU CRAZY!!!

"Still got a little pent up adrenaline from earlier," he replies chuckling.

"Blasted, idiotic man," she mutters over the comm. "We also have another ship that we're trying to identify as a base ship; Alpha squadron should be within visual range in 20 seconds."

"Copy that Captain," Cain says over the comm. "The Capricorn and Sagittarius will be moving the heavy guns into position."

Artemis had stopped paying attention to what the Commodore was saying as her headset was filled with static, and then unrecognizable chatter. A few moments later a FX-99 darts in front and she has to pull up sharply to avoid broadsiding it.

"People stay sharp; that was way to close," she calls over the comm.

"Come again?" An unidentified voice calls into her ear.

"Identify yourself," Apollo calls out. He is flying once again on Artemis' wing, and the two of them are rapidly being surrounded by what looks like a squadron of FX-99. He knows Kara has the only FX-98 and all the rest of the UAG's fighters are FX-99 or FX-00. They had drifted away from the main area of fighting, trying to come behind the last ship that had jumped into the fracas to identify it.

"Is that the Valkyerie?" A female voice demanded.

"This is Captain Thrace of the Capricorn, but you should already know that," Artemis calls out furiously over the comm. "You need to break formation so that we can get back to the fighting."

"Apollo we're closing in on your position," Kat calls out. "And we're coming in guns blazing."

"Copy that Kat; we'll be helping you out from inside this little party," he replies starting up a targeting solution.

"HOLD YOUR FIRE," a male voice crackles over the comm. "Starbuck?" Came tentatively.

"Why do I have to keep correcting you people; ARTEMIS!" She yells. Kara can see the vipers from Galactica bearing down on their position.

"Well it's about got damn time you stopped living in denial girl," a male voice laughed over the comm.

"Who the hell is this?" She demands.

"Now it hasn't been that long that you've forgotten little old me," the voice mocked over the comm.

"Everybody hold your fire!!" Apollo called to his vipers that were just about on top of them.

"Alright guys let's stop playing before she gets mad and decides to spank us," a female voice joins the conversation. "Captain Thrace, I have more than the distinct honor to present to you Sierra squadron."

"THIS IS NO TIME FOR GAMES!!!" Artemis shouts into the comm. "Sierra squadron was assigned to the Libra."

"Yes, yes they were; and it looks like we finally managed to catch up with your asses after chasing you around for the last three years," a voice so familiar to Kara called out over the comm that it brought instant tears to her eyes.

"There's no way in heaven or hell I should be hearing your voice," she replies in a chocked sob. "Unless of course I'm either dead or hallucinating."

"You're neither little sister," he chuckles. "I've missed you enough that I'd be more than willing to spend the next year just sitting here chatting with you; but I'm thinking we should kick some cylon ass, so I can hold you in my arms. What say you to that?'

"I say FUCK yes!!" Artemis screams over the comm. And just like that with lighting orders being issued from her and the mysterious man, all the UAG squadrons form a vanguard that take out the cylon raiders and herd the 2 base ships into the firing solution from the Capricorn and Sagittarius. A loud and hearty cheer goes up from UAG pilots; and a confused silence reigns over the Galactica viper pilots.

"Apollo do you wish us to return to Galactica?" Hot Dog calls over the comm.

"Yes, I think that would be best for right now. The next rotation for C.A.P. starts now; everyone else hit the decks." He replies to his people.

"Did someone say APOLLO!!!" A voice booms over the comm.

"Yes they did," Artemis says with a smile in her voice.

"Oh I know we need to land immediately," an excited voice rings out.

"Yes I want all of you to land on the Capricorn now," Fleet Admiral Thrace says over the comm.

"Who was that?"

"There have been some changes since you guys have been out lolly gagging in the universe," Reno says. "Commodore Thrace is now the Fleet Admiral."

"Holy Shit!! This is going to be one hell of a debriefing."

&&&&

Kara was the last pilot to land on the hangar deck of the Capricorn as was her custom. She always liked to make sure that each and everyone of her pilots was safe and accounted for. Lee had just opened his canopy, when the Valkyerie was secured next to him. He watched her snatch her helmet off and toss it to Cally. She huffed at the amount of time it took to undo her harness and release her from the cockpit. Once she was completely free, she jumped up, flew down the stairs and ran full tilt across the hangar deck.

Lee followed at a more sedate pace; still not completely sure what was going on. He figured that the UAG Libra had some how managed to find her sister ships; and in the process they were chasing cylons across the universe. What he couldn't understand was Kara's reaction. Everyone seemed happy to have been reunited with the members of the Libran, but Kara was beyond ecstatic.

He watched as the crowds parted letting her through. Many people reached out and touched her in some small way; delighted in seeing her. When she finally reached the end of the gauntlet of people, she was engulfed in the arms of a man, who spun her around and damn near tossed him in the air. Lee felt a momentary stab of jealousy, and thought about a hasty retreat until he felt an arm on his shoulder. He looked over to see Helo standing at his side watching the scene unfolding in front of them.

"I thought I'd never see this day," Helo says with something close to tears in his eyes.

"Helo, what exactly are we seeing?" Lee asks him baffled. Helo looks at him and realizes that Lee has no clue what is going on.

"Come on; there is no better way to do this," Helo replies grabbing Lee's arm and pushing his way through the crowd. It takes them a moment, but they finally break through and Lee hears the first few mumbled words pass between Kara and the stranger.

"I thought I'd never see you again," she says with tears openly streaming down her face.

"But I knew I'd see you," the tall man says back. "And I brought surprises."

"I have a few of my own," she giggles.

"One of them better be Apollo," he says sternly.

"Actually, he's right behind you," Kara says meeting Lee's eyes. Lee feels stunned and disjointed as two pairs of crystal green eyes settle on him. It takes him only seconds to realize that the face of the man staring at him is one he's seen in pictures several times.

"Apollo; God of the Sun," Devon says holding out his hand.

"Hermes; messenger of the Gods," Lee says shaking the offered hand firmly. Both men took a moment to just regard one another. There was a kinship between them that came not from loving the same woman, but knowing that their destinies laid intertwined. There was no need for dominance or posturing; each knew his own worth and how they complimented the other. They were already brothers crafted through time and necessity, and finally reunited to fulfill their part of saving humanity.

"I hope she has been behaving herself," Devon says to him in a mock serious voice. Lee glanced over at Kara and notices her worrying her bottom lip. She's afraid that her brother and lover wouldn't like each other, and then she'd be caught in the middle.

"I'm afraid that she doesn't know how to behave," Lee replies shaking his head. "Trouble follows her wherever she goes."

"Hey you two, there's no need to talk to me like I'm not here," she responds in a huff. They both look at her with guileless eyes and wicked grins. She shakes her head and throws her hands up in the air when she realizes that in just those few short moments the two of them had forged a bond almost as strong as the one she shared with each of them independently. And for some strange reason she loved them both that much more. She couldn't help throwing herself at first into her brother's arms, and then Lee's after a gentle nudge from Devon.

"Kara; where is our mother?" Devon asks breaking the silence that had enveloped them.

"She was on the Monterey, but I'm sure that she is heading her on a shuttle; even if she has to pilot it herself," Kara points out.

"Is...is our father with her?" He asks tentatively.

Kara looks at Devon trying to gauge his question. Thinking of Athos as their father is still new to her, and she isn't sure if Devon even knows the truth. Looking deep into his eyes, she sees the truth blazing back at her; he knows that and many more secrets that she has yet to become privy to.

"You know," she gasps.

"I know a lot of things that I wish I didn't," he replies. Kara reaches up and cups his cheek, then pulls him into a loose hug. He wants to cling to her, but doesn't wish to show any weakness in the face of so many people, a lot of them being pilots who depend on him to be their CAG everyday.

"We need to talk," she whispers into his ear. "Let's head to my quarters; your mother will know where to find you." He pulls back to look at her with sad eyes.

"The two of you still haven't worked through your differences." It's not a question, but a statement of fact. He doesn't need extra sensory perception, or vivid dreams that come when he's still awake, to know that this battle of their's is still going strong. All he an hope is that one day they can forgive each other than transgressions; he already knows that it's too late for them to come to love each other as they should. It's a shames he figures that the Gods couldn't find a different way.

They break away through the crowd to head for her quarters. People who have known them for so long understand that they need to be alone; to reconnect and begin to heal from the pain of having to have lived without the other. Lee hangs back understanding their need to be with just the other; but Devon reaches behind and pulls Lee along.

"There are no secrets from you Apollo," Devon says in a voice that Lee is beginning to recognize as that of Hermes. "You've been with us from the beginning; maybe not in physical form, but always in spiritual reinforcement." He hated being so philosophical, almost as if he couldn't communicate like he use to; but he knows that he's not that boy he used to be. The man is jaded and he hates it. The three of them leave the hangar bay, and people look around almost feeling as if they have come close to being in the fleeting presence of deities only to have it slip from their fingers.

&&&&

Fleet Admiral Thrace had every intention of rushing to the Capricorn to see the son she thought long since dead and taken into the arms of her Gods. A quick look to her long time lover and friend made her realize that the best thing she could do, was allow her children a chance to reconnect. They had always had each other, more so than any of the people who called themselves their parents. She had an old friend that she needed to greet, and a story about how what had happened to the Libra to obtain. Ever the military leader first, and the parent a far distant second.

She was also going to keep her promises made to Admiral Adama. She arranged to have a shuttle bring Commodore Agathon to the Monterey, and invited Bill and Laura to join them all in a small conference room to hear about the escapades of the Libra. It would make it easier for everyone to her from Isadora once, instead of several renditions that might get garbled, and resemble nothing close to the truth.

Cassandra dismissed all of the Council except for Helena and Athos; and Laura asked that the Quorum give them time to find out what was going on; before she would answer all their questions. A very quiet, yet expectant hush fell over the five occupants of the room as they waited for a single woman to enter. It seemed like it took forever, when perhaps less than an hour passed, before a firm knock was hard on the door. All five people jumped guilty, and then gave each other small smiles; as if they had all shared a joke.

The door was open by a young man, tall and lanky of build. His honey blond hair was in desperate need of a serious cut, and his cerulean eyes sparkled with mischief and unabashed openness. His face still held the remnants of youth, but underneath the proud planes of a man were beginning to emerge. He was his mother's son in physical features; except the eyes, but in every other way that mattered; he was his father's son. He wasn't dressed in a military uniform as some would expect, but he was casually clothed in linen, and it seemed to suit him well.

When Cassandra saw him walk through the door, confidence in his stride and small on his lips; she almost fainted. He looked so much like his brother, they could have been twins. The only difference between them was the color of their eyes. She stood so quickly that the chair she'd just occupied toppled over, and hit the floor with a crash. She hesitated a moment, but he didn't. He hadn't seen either of his parents for almost 5 years, and the little boy in him was desperate for a hug.

He closed the distance between them in quick strides and swept her into his arms. He was probably crushing her, but she didn't so much as let out a single squeak. Tears run unchecked down both of their faces, and they murmured words between them that no one else could hear. After a moment his grip loosened, and they pulled back a little. She cupped his face in her hands and lightly kissed his cheeks.

"I've missed you more than words can say Andreas," she whispers to him brokenly.

"I know," he smiles back. "Trust me I KNOW. Athos hears something in his son's voice, and approaches him, a look of wonder on his face.

"So does this mean you're the prophet we've been anticipating?" He asks grabbing his son into a rough hug. At least the Gods had seen fit to give them one child who would not hate them.

" I don't know if I'm the one you've been waiting for," Andreas replies with his boyish laugh. "But I do have dreams that seem real, and definitely contain a message; one I have yet to figure out." He says with a frown.

"I guess despite Chiron's prophecy, Devon wasn't the one foretold," Cassandra replies.

"Don't be so certain of that," a new voice says from the doorway. Every turns to look at the statuesque woman standing there. Isadora Agathon had always been a tall and imposing figure, and that had yet to diminish. Her long brown hair was pulled back severely from her face, and her grey green eyes were shadowed with decisions made while alone in a vast universe; without comfort of friends or family.

"Isadora," Cass whispered as the two women hug amidst tears and smiles. "We've missed you more than ever imaginable.

"I know of that which you talk," she agrees. "It has been more than lonely without all of you. We are much stronger together than we ever would be apart." She says with a sad smile.

"But what do you speak of Devon?" Athos asks, concern for his oldest son evident in his voice.

"Hermes is so much more than any of us expected," Isadora says sweeping the room with a glance. Her gaze settles on Roslin, and Laura feels as if this woman can see into her very soul. "He doesn't just have dreams when he's asleep, but full waking visions, and an uncanny knack for knowing exactly when something is going to happen."

"It's like...like he really can talk with the Gods," Andreas says breaking into the conversation.

"It's more like HE is a God," Isadora says into the stunned room.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, leave me a review and let me know please. Also there was no time to beta this, so sorry for any mistakes.