Chapter 5

"I have certainly noticed that groups of clever and intelligent people are capable of really stupid ideas." – Lord Havelock Vetinari

The Present – The Galactica

On Cassiopeia's previous visits to check and record his bio-signs, Baltar had been either unconscious or not fully aware of his surroundings. This time was different. As she entered, he watched her as she went about her tasks.

"You seem familiar…," Baltar said.

"I've made earlier visits," Cassie said non-committally, maintaining a professional attitude.

"No, it was somewhere else…." He cocked his head like a daggit regarding something that puzzled it.

"I don't recall – "

"Scorpia." He interrupted her and smiled. "It was on Scorpia. You were with Cain."

"I'll tell the doctor that your memory seems intact."

"Unfortunately…," he murmured. Cassie paused in her tasks, taken aback by the grief in his voice.

"Is there something you would prefer to not remember?"

"Oh, quite a few things," Baltar said dismissively, and then smiled again. "If I remember correctly, you were a socialator then."

"Yes," Cassie said. There was no point in denying it. "And if I remember correctly, you didn't seem to have any regular escort when the Council met on Scorpia."

"No, I didn't. What of it?"

"It just seems odd that a Councilor would not attract a partner."

"There were enough attracted. I just did not care for those who were interested in a personal relationship with a Councilor." Again, he cocked his head as he scrutinized her. "Why are you asking?"

"I don't know. To keep myself occupied."

"No, you're looking for something."

"There are many who would like to know why you sold out the Colonies." Cassie gave him the most likely reason.

"You don't really care about that," Baltar said, his dark eyes never leaving hers. His scrutiny was beginning to unnerve Cassie. "What is it that you know?"

"I'm not at liberty to say."

"Ah…then I was correct. There is something you know, something you want confirmed…." He trailed off.

"When you think of it, let me know," Cassie said hastily, and made a quick exit from the room. Behind her, she heard him laugh softly.

----------

Later, during a mid-day meal with Starbuck in the Officer's Club, Cassie recounted her encounter to Starbuck.

"It was creepy; like he could read my thoughts," Cassie finished up.

"And now you're wondering what Athena ever saw in him," Starbuck said. "I can do the same trick." He gave her one of his best smiles.

"Not that well," Cassie retorted, teasing him. "I don't have to wonder what Athena saw in him. Most men who reach that position of power have the necessary charisma."

"What am I?" Starbuck asked, offended that his renowned charm was being questioned.

"I won't leave you," Cassie reassured him.

"Well...good…I would hate for another woman to be ensnared by him…."

"I thought you said you weren't interested in Athena in that way."

"Hey, I still have feelings," Starbuck said. "Sometimes people don't think I do, but I do have them."

"Yes, I know," Cassie said with a hint of exasperation. "As well as the need to verify your male attractiveness to women on a regular basis."

"Come on, Cassie," Starbuck winced, "you know I hate it when you do the socialator psychology thing."

"Regardless, Baltar was convinced that I knew something." Cassie returned to the original topic.

"Well, you do," Starbuck said. "Why should that bother you?"

"Starbuck, how does Baltar know?" Cassie asked. "I didn't tell him anything. Have you?"

"For Sagan's sake, no," Starbuck protested. "I don't want anywhere near the man. He might give me one of those depraved laughs and I'd have to shoot him."

The Past – Caprica City

When Athena delivered Council reports to Baltar the next morning, he was subdued when she entered his office. In fact, he seemed almost embarrassed when he saw her.

"About last night, I apologize if I overstepped the bounds of propriety," he said, appearing genuinely concerned.

"I didn't mind," she said.

"You didn't?" he asked, giving her that slightly askew questioning look of his.

"No, should I? It was sincere, wasn't it?"

"I think it was," he mused, tapping his desk's top with the fingers of one hand. "I mean, it just happened; I rather surprised myself."

"You're not certain?" Athena asked. If he didn't know, then who did?

"I certainly didn't regret it afterwards," he said, looking up at her and grinning.

"Then why are you apologizing?" she asked.

"I'm worried that you may have been regretting last night's little escapade."

"It was rather exciting."

"Then…you would do it again?" Baltar asked with something like excitement in his dark eyes.

"Are you planning on repeating it?"

"I'd like to…." He allowed his words to trail off as he watched her.

"Why are you being so reticent now?" Athena asked. He had seemed so sure and confident in his actions. Why was he apparently retreating now? Did it really have anything to do with father? Or did men just act like this because of something she did personally?

"Perhaps, I'm afraid that you'll refuse me," he murmured. Athena was surprised by his hesitancy and the slight ruddiness in his cheeks. "It's been awhile since I considered such a possibility…." His words faded.

"Possibility of what?"

"Of several things," he said, suddenly returning to his typical brisk cheerfulness. "Unfortunately, I have to deal with Council business first."

"Do you need my help?" Athena asked.

"I would like your help," Baltar said and indicated the side chair at his desk. Athena sat in what she was considering as her chair as he continued. "The Council is scheduled to take an extended recess to…hmmm…investigate certain possibilities."

"They don't usually recess until the session is over, except for the usual secton day of rest."

"That's true. I didn't know you were that familiar with the Council's habits." He gave her that inquiring glance of his.

"Someone mentioned it to me when I received an orientation for this assignment," she said quickly. It was true in a way if she could consider her father's past Council sessions as an orientation.

"Anyway, this creates a problem for me as I shall be out of contact with the Council and any comlines for several sectons during this recess. And I'm sure the rest of the Council will not be polite enough to suspend all business during my absence."

"Why is this a problem?"

"You've seen the amount of reports I receive." He smiled and patted the latest stack – the stack she had just delivered – on his desk. "And I receive quite a bit over the system. Since I shall be out of contact, all of this will be waiting when I return."

"What do you want me to do?"

"I'd like you to keep them sorted, and, if you can remain awake, read them and prepare summaries."

"That seems simple enough," Athena said.

"Oh, you think so?" Baltar asked, raising his brows. "Dealing with data from all Twelve Colonies? At least, I won't be here to distract you." He gave her one of his mischievous smiles.

"Where are you going?"

"Unfortunately, that is confidential Council business," he said, his smile fading, replaced by a dissatisfied expression.

"I guess I shouldn't have asked."

"No, it's quite all right. I can tell you that the Council is taking advantage of my family's shipping business. Since the business involves supplying outer colonies and outposts with supplies, and, naturally, returning with raw materials for the inner colonies, the Council feels that I would be ideal to pursue their little matter."

"Why is that?" she asked.

"The Council feels an official delegation would draw unwarranted attention," Baltar continued, appearing to be uncomfortable about something, "and since I have some experience and logical reason to attend to this matter, the Council asked me to…um…gather some information for them. Off the record, of course."

"If it's Council business – "

"Haven't you realized by now that the Council works in mysterious ways?" He leaned closer to her, his voice dropping to that mock conspiratorial level of his.

"It seems – well – devious," Athena said. "Why can't they conduct business openly?"

"At the moment, this is not actual Council business. It is merely an inquiry into possible options that the Council may want to pursue."

"That sounds like a politician talking." She smiled at him, a hint of teasing in her voice.

"Yes," Baltar said, returning her smile, "contorted to the point of meaningless." He paused and then sighed. "I'm sorry, but I am bound by Council edict to maintain confidentiality."

"I think I understand," she said. "Sometimes…sometimes in the fleet, the officers feel it is better not to give full details of a mission to all Warriors."

"Really?" Baltar asked, resting his elbows on his desk and propping his chin up with his hands, giving her all his attention. "How do they know what to do?"

"Oh, they're given details of their individual missions and the objectives of their own squadron. It's just felt that it might be too much information and too confusing if they knew what every squadron was doing. It might lead to one squadron interfering with another squadron's operation."

"Ah, I see you paid attention at the Academy and now you're in the process of applying all that theory to real life applications."

"I'm trying," she said, feeling as if she needed his approval.

"I think you're doing marvelously well," he smiled and stood up. "Now, let's change places." He assisted her into his own high-backed black chair behind the desk. He leaned over her and brought up the system on the console incorporated into the desktop. "I'll show you how this system works, so you can keep track of my Council missives while I'm away."

"How? I don't have access to your system," Athena said, acutely aware of his presence over her shoulder. She could even feel his breath on her cheek as he spoke.

"I'll give you my keycodes." Baltar said, while entering them.

"But what about security protocols?" She was appalled by his willingness to just hand them over to her.

"What about them? I trust you."

"How do you know you can trust me?"

"One," he said, sitting in the side chair and began counting off on his fingers, "I feel I can trust you. Two, since you were assigned to be my liaison, you likely have a security authorization comparable to mine. Three, I'm sure Council Security monitors this system, especially anything that is coded 'private', so it's not secret anyway. Four, if I couldn't trust you, you wouldn't be asking." He gave her his conspiratorial smile, then added, "you weren't planning on sending out insulting missives under my name, were you?"

"No, why would I do that?"

"Perhaps you're in collusion with the Caprican Councilor and want to discredit me. He is in an unusual situation holding both a civilian and military position," Baltar said in an offhanded manner.

"I'm not in collusion with him," Athena said, but could hardly help wondering if she unknowingly was.

"Then I don't have to worry about it, do I?"

"No." She shook her head.

"Besides I'd trust you with more than rather insignificant Council business," he said, giving her one of those adoring, yet suggestive, glances. Athena blushed, lowering his gaze, and he laughed.

"Do you do this often?"

"Do what often?"

"Try to seduce your assistants?"

"No. You're unique. It's a wonder there are any unattached men on Caprica; I would have thought they would have all dueled to the death to have the privilege of being your suitor."

"Your Council speeches must be impressive," Athena giggled.

"Oh? I thought they were fairly dull myself."

"Your speeches to me aren't dull. I'm amazed at what you dare to say, even the first time I met you."

"What can I say? I wasn't expecting to have such a lovely liaison and then you walked in, taking me by surprise. I had to say something to get your attention."

"You got my attention, all right." Athena agreed. "You didn't even know who I was."

"No…but I knew I wanted to."

"Are you satisfied now?"

"I won't be satisfied until I marry you." Although Baltar laughed, Athena could hear a nervous undertone in it.

"You seem thoroughly convinced of that."

"I believe it was meant to be. I only have to persuade you that it is." He took her hands in his. Athena did not doubt his sincerity in his conviction. After all she had felt the same regarding Starbuck. However, while she had know Starbuck for yahrens, so little time had passed since she had even met the Sagitaran Councilor. How could even he know so soon?

"You still barely even know me."

"Life is too short," he said quietly. "I made that mistake once."

"Sharraya?"

"Yes, but at least we did have a few yahrens together. Mostly I regret…." His voice trailed off as his thoughts went elsewhere, then just as suddenly he returned his attention to Athena. "No, I shouldn't burden you with this. It's unfair. Forgive me."

"I don't mind. We all have things we regret. That's part of life also."

"It is, but not just now. I'm afraid this Council session is forcing me to dwell on every possible ramification of certain things." He released her hands and rubbed his temples, suddenly looking tired.

"Perhaps we should go somewhere and eat," she suggested.

"A glass of liquid sunshine would be nice."

"Liquid sunshine?" she asked.

"Yes, kafe, java, whatever they call it on Caprica. This can wait." He nodded, shutting down the system and then gave her a curious look when she didn't respond. "What's wrong?"

"I just realized I'm sounding like my mother."

"Or a concerned wife…" He teased, the sparkle coming back into his eyes. As they stood, he took her arm.

"You're going to wear me down until I agree from sheer exhaustion."

"RealIy?" he asked. "Then I shall have to redouble my efforts."

----------

With the Council taking an extended recess, her father also had plans to make a trip. It was at home during a family dinner that he mentioned it. With Apollo and Zac aboard the Galactica, it was just her and her parents in the airy, comfortable dining room. The windows overlooked Caprica City and the mountains that surrounded it.

"Would you like to take the opportunity to visit the Galactica?" Adama asked her.

"For how long?" Athena answered.

"For a secton or two. As long as the Council is in recess."

"Councilor Baltar asked me to do something for him during that time," Athena said, noting the slight grimace that passed over her father's face at the mention of Baltar.

"He has?" Adama responded with a neutral expression, or, at least, as neutral as he could manage.

"He said the Council would keep up business among themselves and he wanted me to keep the reports and missives sorted so he wouldn't waste time reviewing them when he returned." Vaguely Athena hoped her father would approve of Baltar's willingness to attempt efficiency for the Council's sake.

"Doesn't he have a Sagitaran staff for that?" Adama asked, not appearing very impressed.

"I thought I was part of his staff until I received other orders," Athena said, a bit confused.

"Yes, dear," Ila reminded her husband, "she is part of his staff for the time being."

"Of course," Adama nodded, "I just thought you might like to visit your friends. Perhaps, Starbuck?"

"I don't think he's missing me," Athena said. She saw Adama exchange a quick glance with Ila.

"It's nice your Councilor has placed such trust in you," Ila said. "You must have impressed him."

"He says I have." However, she found herself reluctant to divulge just how he had been impressed.

"That's good to hear. Isn't it, dear?" Ila smiled.

"Yes, but we've always known that our daughter is quite accomplished," Adama agreed.

"I don't understand why the Council is recessing," Athena said, uncomfortable with such praise. "They haven't done that before."

"No, the Council hasn't. This session is unique. Didn't Councilor Baltar tell you?" Adama asked.

"No. He said it was confidential. All he said was that he was making a trip on behalf of the Council and it necessitated that he would be out of contact until he returned."

"That's true."

"He didn't seem to like it."

"Sometimes we're required to do things we don't like," Adama said quietly.

"He'll be all right, won't he?" Athena asked, surprised at herself when she felt a sudden feeling of concern for Baltar's safety.

"He should be," Adama answered, although Athena noticed he had that optimistic expression that he used when giving out orders to viper pilots before a mission.

"Don't let it worry you," Ila said soothingly. "It's not unusual for the Council to pursue classified matters. Even your father doesn't tell me everything."

"But…" Athena began.

"It's probably some boring thing anyway," Ila continued, "and the Council just doesn't want him distracted. You are going to the reception tomorrow night with him, aren't you?"

"He did ask me to keep him company," Athena said. "There's no harm in that, is there?"

----------

At the Presidium, the reception was unusually active, even festive, as most of those attending knew that there was a break in the Council proceedings and they could also rest. This sense of release was not shared by the Sagitaran Councilor, and Athena noticed an agitation in his manner that cropped up at times during the evening.

"Are you ever afraid?" Athena asked him as they danced a Gemonese Gavotte.

"Afraid?" Baltar looked down at her, surprised by her question.

"Of making a wrong decision?"

"Just about every day," he answered with an intimate smile as if sharing a secret.

"You? A Councilor?" She looked up at him, her blue eyes wide. Her father never seemed to have second thoughts.

"Yes, and being a Councilor just makes it even more frightening because I have to remember my decisions affect others."

"I didn't know that. Is that what is bothering you."

"My, you're observant." He said, admiration in his eyes. Admiration which turned to amusement. "I must be slipping as a politician."

"I can't tell that…perhaps I've just had time to get to know you."

"Well, then, would you put your trust in someone who vacillates and who doubts himself?"

"Sometimes it's comforting to know he has the same struggles with decisions as other people." She smiled, relaxing in his arms letting him lead her steps in time to the lyrical rhythms of the dance.

"It's of greater comfort to be able to share those struggles with another," he murmured, allowing himself to relax as he danced with her. It wasn't until the music changed and they were engaged in a Virgonese Valse that he spoke again.

"Athena, when I'm with you I feel something I haven't felt in a long time," Baltar said quietly, the lilt in his voice almost matching the music.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Hope."

"Hope?" She echoed, unsure of how it related to her.

"Yes, for the future." For a fleeting moment he looked uncomfortable, hesitant, and then he smiled. It was different than his usual merry grin; this had a nervous timbre to it. He took a deep breath. "I hope…I hope I might have a future…with you."

She looked up at him unable to say a word. Her feet suddenly felt as if they were moving of their own accord through the steps of the dance. A shiver ran down her spine and she became very aware of the tension now in his hand and arm that encircled her waist.

"I never dreamed…," she whispered. She had always expected it would be Starbuck. But she had to admit that with each passing day that expectation seemed ever more unlikely. Starbuck seemed to be finding other ways to keep himself occupied, ways that didn't include her. "I barely know you; you hardly know me," she said finally.

Inwardly she berated herself. It was an excuse similar to Starbuck's to stall off the inevitable decision, the type of excuse that she disliked.

"I'm asking you for that opportunity," he said with the undercurrent of apprehension still evident.

"I would like that," she said. She saw the relief and elation in his eyes as he brought her hand up to his lips to give it a brief kiss.

"Shall we go and drink to our future?"