Chapter 6
"You two got whammed last night, didn't you?" – Captain Edmund Blackadder
The Present – The Galactica
"Ah…the lovely socialator returns…," Baltar said as Cassie entered the room to update his medical information.
"That was in the past," Cassie said, attending to her duties.
"Was it? You can tell Adama that sending a socialator to use her charms to obtain any information from me won't work." He gave her a sly smile.
"Commander Adama did not send me." Cassie busied herself taking notes of his bio-signs as displayed on the equipment.
"It's also a tactic I do not think would be appreciated by my wife," he said pleasantly, as if unconcerned. Surprised, Cassie looked up at him. He was grinning, but again he had that scrutiny in his eyes that had unnerved her the previous day.
"I thought you said…."
"That was also in the past. Scorpia, remember?" He raised a hand to emphasize his words.
"Where is she now?"
"You're asking me?" He said, apparently amused by her question. "I suppose she was killed like so many others…or, perhaps, you know her whereabouts?"
"I don't know," Cassie answered, although her thoughts were making some connections which didn't seem possible.
"Well, if you should ever know, don't condemn her for anything that I – alone – caused by my regrettable actions." Despite his seeming arrogance, Cassie thought she caught the briefest flicker of sorrow in his eyes.
The Past – Caprica City
During Baltar's absence, Athena read, sorted and summarized reports and missives sent to his office. There was nothing remarkable about any individual document which contained Colonial economic data, military budgets and expenditures, and fund allocations for reconstruction of civilian areas that had suffered from Cylon attacks.
However, she found odd trends in the aggregate data.
Over the yahrens, there had been a steady increase in funds used for the reconstruction of civilian residences, businesses, transportation, and similar aid, yet the rate of the civilian revenue representing the raw resources mined, the finished goods manufactured, and the provided services of individual workers, had not increased. It had leveled off and even declined in recent yahrens.
Most surprising was that military expenditures had shown a similar plateau, despite the need to replace the Pegasus and the Fifth Fleet that had been lost two yarhens ago. Athena knew that it took time to construct similar ships to replace the ones lost and to train the needed crews, but it seemed as if the Colonies were unwilling – or unable – to find the materials and labour fast enough to address the weaknesses in Colonial defenses.
She found herself impatient for Baltar's return. Whether it was to ask him about what she had noticed in his reports or because she missed him, she couldn't decide.
Athena was at his desk sorting through the latest batch of Council missives, when Baltar walked in. Although he looked tired and out-of-sorts, he gave her a wide smile when he saw her.
"You're back," Athena said, starting to stand.
"No, don't get up," he said and settled into the desk's side chair. "You look like you belong there; perhaps being a Councilor suits you."
"I'm not a Councilor."
"Who would notice the difference?" he asked, his dark eyes sparkling.
"I think the other Councilors would notice," Athena answered and smiled.
"Oh, not if you stayed right here behind this desk and just sent missives."
"Wouldn't they be suspicious during meetings when your chair at the Council's table was unoccupied?"
"Who says it would be unoccupied?" Baltar whispered, leaning towards her. "I could attend and just do as you mandate." He seized her hand and kissed it.
"Wouldn't Sagitara be upset when they found out a Caprican was actually representing them?" she asked and laughed.
"Oh, I suppose the Sagitaran royal government would be a bit put out," he answered, dismissively. Then he gave her one of his amused looks. "But, if you married me, they wouldn't have the grounds to object."
"Are you serious?" she asked, giggling.
"Of course, I'm serious. I've had several sectons to think about it." Again, he kissed her hand and looked into her eyes. "I think you would make a lovely Councilor."
"Oh, you…." She pulled her hand from his and lightly swatted his arm.
"I missed you," Baltar said and laughed. "Did you miss me?"
"Well, of course, I did," Athena said sweetly, leaning towards him, then she straighten up and waved at the stacks of hard copy reports on his desk. "What am I suppose to do with all this?"
"All right," he laughed, "I deserved that. Before you, my taskmaster, set me back to work, can't I relax a little while…hmmm?"
"Are you talking about tonight's soiree at the Presidium?"
"Oh, Lords, are they having another one of those?" Baltar moaned.
"You don't want to go your welcoming back party?"
"Is that what they are calling this one?"
"Not specifically, but it is meant to signify the reconvening of the Council" Athena said, recalling her mother fussing over what to do when everyone returned after several sectons. Ila had decided that a reception would ease everyone back into the proceedings.
"Then I suppose we should attend."
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"Where are you going, Starbuck?" Apollo asked as he and Boomer entered the pilots' barracks aboard the Galactica.
"Caprica," Starbuck answered, taking his dress uniform out of his locker. "Your father wants me to pilot his shuttle back and to do a favour for him." He looked irritated as he folded the uniform and stuffed it into his bag.
"Just you? No one else?" Boomer asked.
"Just me." Starbuck smiled, although it was closer to a grimace.
"Well, what for?" Apollo persisted.
"I get to chaperone your sister."
"Isn't she a little old for that?" Boomer laughed. "Not to mention most fathers wouldn't want you chaperoning their daughters."
"I tried telling her father that. It didn't work."
"Can't the Commander do something if there is a problem?"
"He said Ila would never forgive him if he recalled Athena to the Galactica." Starbuck smirked, looking at Apollo. "I guess we know who has the final word in your family."
"You still haven't told us why you're going to be performing chaperone duties," Apollo said, ignoring Starbuck's remark.
"Because your father wants me to distract Athena from some other guy who is showing an interest in her."
"Oh, the famous Starbuck charm," Boomer nodded, patting Starbuck's shoulder.
"It's more like one of those sappy operettas…"
"I thought you and Athena had gone separate ways," Apollo said.
"In a manner of speaking." Starbuck fidgeted.
"Wasn't the Commander ready for you and Athena to set up house?" Boomer asked. "Perhaps he still has hopes? Wants to make you jealous?"
"Frak, I feel like he's got a gun to my head," Starbuck muttered. "No offense," he added to Apollo.
"None taken." Apollo laughed. "I know how intense my father can be."
"And the sad part is we don't get to watch the fun," Boomer said.
"Yeah, thanks for the support."
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That evening at the Presidium's grand hall, Adama and Ila once again acted as hosts for the reception to mark the Council's return. Ila was surprised to see an additional familiar face as Starbuck casually strolled over towards them.
"That wasn't very subtle of you," Ila said to Adama.
"I had to do something," Adama said, looking uncomfortable, "before Athena makes the biggest mistake of her life."
"Dear, I told you…." She refrained from further comment as Starbuck joined them.
"Good evening, Commander, Siress," Starbuck said cheerfully.
"Good evening, Lieutenant," Ila responded graciously.
"Um…have you seen Athena?" Starbuck asked.
"Why, no, we haven't."
"Really? I thought she was here," Starbuck said, glancing at Adama.
"Oh, she's here somewhere," Adama said, glaring at someone across the room. Starbuck turned and saw that Adama was apparently looking at a tall, dark-haired man who was wearing the white robes of a Councilor. He was chatting with a pretty woman, but it wasn't Athena.
"Is that him?"
"Excuse me?" Ila asked.
"Oh…I heard I had competition," Starbuck said hastily.
"Isn't that interesting? I wonder who told you." Ila turned to Adama who was making it a point not to meet her gaze.
"Didn't you read it in the gossip sheets?" Starbuck asked, giving her a surprised look. "I mean, all these people here, the news; it's going to provide fodder for the gossip mongers."
"Yes, I suppose it does," Ila agreed and smiled at someone apparently beyond Starbuck. "And look who is here. Hello, dear."
"I knew it was you," Starbuck heard Athena's voice behind him. He turned and saw her.
"Wow…," Starbuck said, short of words for once as he looked at her in amazement. She was wearing a light blue dress with silver trimming which displayed quite a bit of her charm and figure.
"Starbuck, what are you doing here?" she asked, clearly irritated.
"Oh…uh…I piloted the Commander's shuttle down here. You look gorgeous."
"Thank you," Athena said, her expression softening.
"Since I'm here, and in my dress uniform, would you like to dance?"
"I wouldn't want you to have wasted the trip down here, now, wouldn't I?" Athena said, allowing Starbuck to lead her onto the dance floor.
After they had settled into the steps and rhythm of an old Virgonese Valse, Starbuck felt comfortable enough to chat. For some time, they talked about trivial things: the pilots' training schedule, how Zac was settling in aboard the Galactica, the weather on Caprica.
"You seem distracted tonight. Don't you enjoy my company anymore?" Starbuck finally asked Athena. She couldn't help but notice that while Starbuck executed the movements easily, he didn't seem to be comfortable with them. It was just something he had been required to learn while at the Academy as part of officer's training to learn proper social etiquette for events such as this. Councilor Baltar, on the other hand, was at ease with these dances and gave every indication of enjoying them. At least with her he did.
"Of course, I enjoy your company," she answered. "What woman wouldn't enjoy basking in the famous Starbuck charm? I just know you would be happier elsewhere."
"You're right on that count. Give me a pyramid table any day…." He gave her one of his most disarming grins.
"So…you don't want to be with me?"
"I didn't mean it that way." He winced, trying to explain. "It's the surroundings. You know I'm nervous around high society types and I can't really enjoy your company in the middle of a crowded dance floor."
"But other players at a pyramid table are all right?" Athena said. She knew it was a bit unfair to him, but she felt it needed to be asked.
"Athena, come on…." Starbuck gave her that hurt, boyish look that he had perfected. Athena had to admit to some secret satisfaction as he made attempts to regain some ground with her. He then switched to another of his tried-and-true gambits; he redirected the conversation to her. "Uh…what are you doing here anyway?"
"It's part of my duties as a Council liaison."
"Going to high class, boring social gatherings?"
"The Councilor asked me to. What did you want me to do? Wait for him in the cloak room?"
"No, but doesn't it seem…er…rude of him to impose on your evenings after work?"
"So you want me to sit at home?" Athena retorted, her brows drawing together in annoyance. She looked away from Starbuck and saw Councilor Baltar standing next to Tesha on the sidelines watching. Baltar caught Athena's glance and smiled, lifting his hand and gestured "Just a moment" to her. Athena watched as he said something to Tesha who nodded.
"Yes, what were you saying?" Athena asked Starbuck who had been trying to apologize.
"I said, I could use some ambrosia after all this exercise." Starbuck finished up as the music ended.
"I'm sure they have some here."
"How about you? Would you like a glass?" Starbuck chattered on as he escorted her off the dance floor.
They were intercepted by Baltar and Tesha.
"Ah, Lieutenant Athena, how fortunate that I should run into you," Baltar said cheerfully before turning to Starbuck. "If I could just borrow your colleague for a micron – " he paused to interpret the rank markings on Starbuck's uniform " – Lieutenant, I'd like to confirm my morning schedule with my liaison."
"Sure…I suppose so," Starbuck said, rather daunted by civilian authority.
"And not to leave you lacking for a dance partner, Tesha here has graciously agreed to keep you company while I occupy yours with unfortunate, but necessary, Council business." He introduced Tesha who gave Starbuck a flirtatious flutter of her eyelashes. It did not escape Athena's notice that Starbuck looked interested in a new conquest, yet she was relieved to have his attention elsewhere.
With a smooth, elegant movement, Baltar quickly took Athena's arm and led her away.
"You don't need to confirm your schedule," Athena said. "All you have is a Council meeting the entire morning."
"Your Lieutenant doesn't know that," he laughed. "And you seemed unhappy on the dance floor with him. I couldn't leave you to that fate."
At the top of the room, Adama and Ila had been observing them.
"Frak, lost that battle – " Adama growled.
"Dear, I think you and Starbuck have lost the war," Ila sighed.
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A few nights later, Baltar enticed Athena into an evening away from the Presidium and the Council.
"Tiranna…this is the most expensive place in the city, if not the whole of Caprica," Athena said as he handed her out of the sleek, black groundcar. The building was illuminated by numerous golden lights making the ornate edifice look like a dream against the velvet midnight sky.
"I think you're worth it." Baltar took her arm and escorted her into the establishment. "Besides, I don't want to rescue you from any handsome, young Warriors tonight…or would you prefer to be with him?"
"What would give you that idea?" Athena asked.
"He apparently braved a Council reception to see you."
"He saw me and when he saw your niece, he decided he had seen enough of me."
"Well, I don't think I can ever see enough of you," Baltar whispered into her ear.
They were met by the major-domo who quietly and efficiently led them to a private dining room on one of the upper floors. As they were seated, Athena gazed in wonder at the vista of the city below which seemed a reflection of the stars in the night sky above. She heard Baltar request ambrosia from the major-domo who left to fetch it.
"You needn't have done this," Athena said. "I would have been happy just to sit on the embassy's balcony."
"But I wanted to." He smiled. "I wanted to go where we wouldn't be disturbed."
"We could have just gone to your office."
"My office? I spend too much time there as it is. Ah, here we go," he said as the major-domo returned with a bottle of ambrosia and two stemmed crystal goblets which he served expertly. Athena waited until the major-domo had left before she glanced at the bottle's label.
"This is the most expensive stuff in the Colonies," she gasped, amazed and then looked at him. "What are you scheming?"
"Me? Scheming? Athena, I'm hurt you should think so of me." Despite his words, his eyes glittered with amusement.
"It has to be one of your politician's tricks," Athena said.
"No…they don't seem to work on you. You're far too perceptive."
"What do you mean by that?"
"And then there is your charming innocence," he smiled, handing her a glass of the rose-colored liquid.
"Have I just been insulted?" Athena asked.
"No, or, at least, I didn't intend to. It's something I find quite appealing, to have you speak to me and not to the Councilor."
"But you are a Councilor."
"I have the position of a Councilor; I'm just the current office holder," he said and laughed softly. "Actually you don't even seem impressed by my high office. It's almost as if you're so accustomed to it, you don't even notice."
"Should I have?" Athena asked him, realizing that she hadn't taken any more notice of his political status than her father's and while she knew her father was a Councilor, as well as a Commander, she had always known him firstly as her father.
"I wouldn't have liked it," Baltar said and raised his glass. "To my dear liaison."
"Oh, no, if you do that, then I'll be forced to toast the Councilor," Athena said, blushing.
"To my dear Athena." Again he raised his glass.
"I can't toast myself…."
"Athena, you noticed yourself that this is the very best ambrosia, to not offer up a toast to your divine beauty and lovely self would be a sin," he entreated her. "Please, indulge me."
"If you insist," Athena murmured, "but only to satisfy you." She raised her glass slightly and he nodded before they sipped. Although Athena could taste the exquisite sweetness of the ambrosia, she couldn't be sure the intoxication she felt was from the drink and not from his words.
They were on their second bottle when a flash of light in the night sky caught Athena's eye. She set down her glass and surveyed the night sky outside the windows.
"What's wrong?" Baltar asked, looking in the direction of her gaze.
"I thought I saw…"
"A shooting star, perhaps?" he mused. She heard a trace of concern in his voice. Although Caprica was one of the innermost Colonies, there was always the possibility of a Cylon raid.
"There, again," Athena said, noting a tiny flash that most would have overlooked.
"How could that – "
His words were cut off by a piercing klaxon which shattered the evening's peace. The view to the outside was blocked off as blast shields slid across the windows. The room's ambiance itself changed as the subdued illumination was replaced by harsh emergency lighting.
Athena jumped up and ran to the door which refused to open, which she guessed was due to a lock down procedure.
"Where did you think you were going?" Baltar asked behind her. A moment later she felt his hands on her shoulders.
"There's an attack…." She turned to face him. Fortunately the alarm in the building ceased sparing their hearing.
"Your sense of duty is commendable, but you can't do anything at the moment." Despite his calm voice, Athena could see worry and sadness in his eyes.
"But I should be able to do something."
"Yes, you should. You should keep yourself safe until this is over."
"But other people – "
"Yes, I know. Sharraya was one of them." She heard his voice tremble a bit at the name, and she remembered something he had said about his wife being a casualty.
"I just feel so helpless."
"Trust those who are on duty to do their jobs," he said, taking her hands. Athena's thoughts immediately went to those on duty.
"The Galactica…," she gasped, blue eyes wide, "my family."
"Your family is on the Galactica? I didn't think that was permitted."
"The crew…they're like my family…." She winced, not wanting to mention her father just yet.
"Ah, yes, of course," he said softly. "I believe you served on board before your present assignment."
"Yes, I do serve aboard the Galactica."
"Isn't that Adama's ship?"
"He does have command of it," Athena said.
"Not at the moment," Baltar said and gave her a smile. "Unless he departed straight from the Council's last meeting, even he can't get to it. So, you see, even he has had to entrust his safety to others for the time being."
"I suppose so."
"Doesn't the Galactica have some of the most highly regarded Viper pilots on board? Like…now what was his name?...Star-something…Starstruck…Starluck…?"
"Starbuck," Athena said. She couldn't help a tiny smile at the incorrect variations Baltar supplied and how they even seemed to fit Starbuck regardless.
"Now I remember – Lieutenant Starbuck. Isn't he supposed to be among the best?"
"Yes."
"Then you have nothing to worry about, but if it makes you feel better, you can keep me safe."
"How? You're already as safe as you can be."
"And so are you, as is Caprica…but I do have a bottle of very expensive ambrosia that is in danger of going to waste." He smiled and nodded towards the table. "Or we can think of it as something to calm our nerves while waiting."
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The next morning, bright sunlight warmed Athena's face as she slowly woke. Her thoughts were more than a little fuzzy as she stretched and opened her eyes. An unfamiliar burgundy and gold color scheme surrounded her. She was lying on a divan underneath an ornate burgundy coverlet.
As she saw the empty bottle and glasses on the small table near her, the memories of the previous night started to return. Her dress was hanging across the back of a chair next to the table. As she reached out to retrieve it, she became aware of something restricting her – his arm draped over her shoulder. She looked to her other side and saw Baltar still asleep next to her.
What had she – they – done? While waiting for the all-clear announcement, they had drank the very expensive bottle of ambrosia and when they had finished that, they had sought comfort in each other. She quietly slipped out from under his arm, retrieved her dress, and stepped into it, pulling it up over her slip. Behind her she heard him stir and groan. She looked to see that he had thrown his arm over his eyes, blocking out the sunlight.
A light tapping came from the door. When she went to it and touched the controls, unlike the previous night, it slid open. Two rescue personnel were standing there, one with a list.
"We're doing a check. Are you two all right?"
"Yes," Athena answered.
"You're sure?" The other looked around her and indicated the Councilor.
"Yes, yes, he's fine," Athena said quickly. "He's just asleep. We had a long night."
"Uh-huh, I'll bet you did," he nodded with a grin that was annoyingly like Starbuck's.
"Well, thank you for checking," Athena said, closing the door as they went on.
"I wonder how long it will take for this to make the gossip sheets," a drowsy voice said behind her.
"Hopefully, never." Athena turned and saw Baltar rubbing his eyes. She seized the white Councilor's robe that had been discarded on the floor and threw it at him.
"Oh, you don't want to be romantically linked to me?" He said, disentangling his robe and slipping it on over his undershirt and trousers.
"Not in some tawdry gossip sheet."
"Then perhaps in something more appropriate? The Caprica City Courier society pages?" he asked, standing.
"Perhaps, in the future…."
"As we were reminded last night, sometimes the future is uncertain for any one of us."
"I…we…barely know each other…."
"I think we know each other well enough to make a few decisions. All else is just detail." He went to her and took her hands.
"Such as?" Athena whispered, a shiver running down her spine.
"Whether or not we should make things more formal."
"I don't understand."
"I meant to do this last night before we were so rudely interrupted." Although he smiled, it was different from his usual expression. This smile was nervous, furtive, and held a hint of fear. "Will you do me the honor of allowing me to be your husband?"
"I guess you still respect me this morning," Athena said weakly.
"Of course, I do," he said and laughed. There was the same edge to it that Athena had heard the night he had first revealed the depths of his feelings for her and his eyes held the same anxious fear. As she looked into his eyes, she felt overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. For sometime she had dreamed of such a moment, but it had never seemed possible that it would be with someone other than Starbuck.
"Are you thinking of your handsome, young warrior?" he asked softly.
"Just a bit," she confessed. For the slightest instance, he appeared disappointed but quickly seemed to accept matters. "I'm thinking he doesn't matter as much to me anymore."
Athena could see hope return to him, along with the nervous tension as his hands became rigid. Although she could understand Starbuck's reluctance to make a commitment to her, now that she was faced with making the same decision, she also realized that his reluctance had been a decision in itself.
"Yes, I will allow you to be my husband," she said.
"You will marry me?" he asked, almost in a daze as if he needed confirmation.
"Yes, I will." She smiled.
"Oh, Lords, Athena, I love you," he said and caught her in a tight embrace.