What If?
This is an A.U. story in which Kara and Lee meet and she becomes a part of the Adama family before the cylons attack.
What If?-Chapter-2
A.N.-I still plan on Kara being on the Pegasus during the attack, but Admiral Cain won't be as cold hearted as she was in the show.
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As Caroline drove to the Caprica City hospital she thought back to what the nurse had been able to tell her, which wasn't much. " Caroline I am a nurse, I called you because we found your name and number in junior lieutenant Kara Thrace's pocket and since she is in a coma I called you, I hope that was okay "
Without a moments hesitation Caroline answered " There is no one else for you to call, I am on my way there and I would appreciate it if she is not left alone until I get there " She looked at her watch as she drove wondering what could have happened so soon after they parted earlier. After parking the car she went into the emergency entrance and headed straight for the desk " I am here to see Kara " she told the woman at the check in counter.
The woman looked up " Sign in here, but the doctor wants to speak to you first, if you will follow me I will take you to him " Caroline quickly signed, anxious to see Kara. As she followed the woman she wondered how she felt so connected to Kara after such a short meeting. The woman stopped suddenly and Caroline caught herself right before she ran into her back. " The doctor is through that door " then she left.
Caroline opened the door only to find the Doctor watching Kara through a one way glass, so she walked to stand next to him offering her hand " I am Caroline Adama and I am here to find out what happened to Kara, so what happened and why isn't she awake? "
The doctor shook her hand " I am Doctor Harris, but I really should be speaking to a relative, unless you are a relative "
Caroline shook her head " I met her today and she told me she had no family, I am all she has right now, so please tell me what happened "
The doctor seemed to think about it " We have informed the colonial forces and expect someone soon, but until then I will tell you since she had your name and number on her at the time " Doctor Harris turned back to look at Kara " The only thing I know is someone called and said a young woman had fell down a set of stairs from the second floor of an apartment building " he paused " Luckily she only sustained several bruises and bumps which makes me believe she tucked and rolled down the stairs probably due to her training in the colonial forces, otherwise she would have broken several bones, but her head wasn't as lucky, she hit her head hard which has caused what I hope is temporary coma "
Carlione gasped, then looked from Kara to the Doctor " What are you not telling me?"
Doctor Harris hesitated, but gave in because he knew what Kara had been through and he knew Mrs Adama wanted to help her " What I am about to tell you is going in her file, but since she was hurt off base it will remain closed " he then turned to face Mrs Adama " I did a full MRI and CAT scans on her to be sure I didn't overlook anything, I didn't, but I found numerous fractures on both her hands showing that all of her fingers had been broken at a young age plus a few broken arms and legs here and there throughout her childhood "
By the time the Doctor finished Caroline had tears rolling down both her cheeks " My gods what kind of person would hurt a child like that?"
Before the Doctor could answer Admiral Nagalia had walked in and stopped at the sight of Caroline Adama " Why are you here Caroline?"
Caroline crossed the two feet that separated them " Hello Max, I came to be with Kara, she has no one else "
Max scoffed " She would be a lot better off if she didn't " he moved to look at Kara " She has a hard-ass Marine for a mother who has never gave a frak about her, the only thing her mother was good for was being a marine "
Caroline walked to stand next to him " I only met her today Max and I feel connected to her somehow, please tell me you will be punishing her mother "
Max sadly nodded his head " Kara would never allow it, the best thing I can do is allow her to stay on campus this summer Caroline "
Caroline grabbed his arm so he would face her " I think she wants to train to become a sniper over the summer break "
Max chuckled " Sounds just like something Starbuck would want to do "
The doctor intervened " If she wakes up soon she will need help and time to recover before she could even think about doing that "
Caroline responded quickly " Kara can stay with me until she recovers "
Max shrugged " That would be left up to Thrace and Commander Adama "
Caroline stepped back " Bill has no say in the matter we are separated, besides she has no one else "
Max spoke calmly " Caroline, Starbuck can be a handful, but if you can convince her to stay with you it might help her and I will push the papers through on sniper training for her " he stepped to leave, but paused " Tell Starbuck I said she is ordered not to contact her mother until I have a chance to review things "
Caroline nodded " Okay, and Max even though Bill has no say so, you should let him know since she is in the colonial forces and especially since she is a viper pilot "
Max nodded and left.
Doctor Harris had to leave also " You are welcome to sit with her if you want to Mrs Adama "
Caroline smiled " I would like that, thank you Doctor Harris for filling me in on her situation "
He stopped at the door and turned back " Don't let her know that you know about her past, wait and see if she will confide in you on her own "
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As Caroline sat by Kara's bed she prayed she would be okay, Caroline was the only member of her family that believed in the Gods so she prayed to Apollo the god of healing. Her cell phone rang and the id said it was Lee, and she chuckled for the first time at the call-sign he had been given. " " Hey Lee shouldn't you be asleep right now?"
Lee snorted " I would be, but after you left Zak invited his new girlfriend over and they don't seem to care how late it is, by the way they are cutting up downstairs, plus I was worried about you "
Caroline smiled, Lee had always been over protective " I'm okay Lee, but my friend Kara is in a coma right now, but the doctors think she can go home tomorrow if she wakes up soon "
Lee sat down at his desk " I'm sorry about your friend mom, but when are you coming home?"
Caroline sighed " Lee I hope I can talk Kara into staying with me for a while and Admiral Nagalia was here and he said if she did he would push her papers through for sniper training "
Lee was slightly stunned " Why would Nagalia come instead of sending someone else to check on her ?"
Caroline had wondered the same thing " I'm not sure, but he clearly cares about her and he referred to her as Starbuck, do you know her Lee?"
Lee gulped " Only by reputation, she not only beat most of my records, but the instructors say she is the best viper pilot they have ever seen "
Caroline sobbed slightly worrying Lee " After the childhood she lived through she at least deserves to exhale at something she loves to do, and don't ask Lee because I can't and won't answer you, she doesn't even know I know about it "
Lee gave in " What can I do to help mom?"
She knew her son would come around " First tell Zak nothing except we are having a guest and I need you to move downstairs into the guest room next to Zak, I want Kara close by me in case she needs anything "
Lee sighed " I will set up everything tomorrow mom, but can you explain to me how you come to care for her in such a short time "
Caroline chuckled " It's hard to put in words Lee, but I think Kara is special somehow and I would like to get to know her better and Lee she is beautiful in a way I can't describe, she is different than any young woman I have ever met " she lowered her voice " I wish she was my daughter"
Lee didn't know how he should respond to that so he laughed " I can't wait to meet her then, night mom I love you "
Caroline sighed " And I love you Lee and thanks for understanding, bye now " she hung up before saying more and went back to watching Kara.
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Caroline had sat by her beside for the next four hours and watched as the nurses came in to check on her and even offered to bring Caroline some coffee which she accepted.
Thirty minutes later Kara started coming around, but didn't open her eyes until she felt someone watching her closely and opened them to see Caroline. " Hey, what are you doing here Caroline?"
Caroline sat back and shrugged " They found my name and number on you and called me "
Kara looked everywhere except at her " I am sorry they drug you down here, I'll be okay "
Caroline leaned forward " I am glad they called me Kara and Admiral Nagalia stopped by to check on you also "
Kara cringed " Why would he do that?"
Caroline shrugged " I got the impression he cares about you Kara and he promised to push your papers through if you still want sniper training "
Kara grinned then grabbed her head, remembering it was sore "What does he want in return ?"
Caroline stood up and paced across the room a few times.
Kara chuckled " It can't be that bad Caroline "
Caroline stopped at the end of her bed " He only agreed if you came home with me until you were ready "
Kara was shocked " I can't do that to you, I will find somewhere else to stay, it isn't right to burden you with this "
Caroline moved up and grabbed one of her hands " Kara I don't think Max was joking about that and besides I look forward to getting to know you better, and arrangements have already been made "
Kara gave in " What else did the Admiral say?"
Caroline looked straight at her " He said for you not to go anywhere around your mother until he investigated it further "
Kara refused to discuss that and changed the subject " So how many people are staying at your place now?"
Caroline faltered before answering " My two sons, but they will be out most of the time and me "
Kara figured she would stay a couple of days before moving out " When do we leave?"
Caroline had sat back down " After the doctor checks your head to make sure that it isn't bleeding, but it will hurt for a while "
Ten minutes later they came and got her and wheeled her to check her head injury. Thirty minutes later she was back in her room and saw and heard Caroline on the phone talking " It shouldn't be much longer, why don't you fix some lunch and we will see you soon, Kara's back I have to go now "
Kara got back in bed " Who were you talking to?"
Caroline grinned " My son, don't worry he knows how to cook "
Doctor Harris came in next and sat down to go over things with Kara. He tried to ask questions about the incident, but Kara deflected them. " How soon before I can leave?"
The doctor stood up " You can leave now, but take it easy and I will see you in back here in one week if things go alright "
Caroline walked out as Kara got dressed in the set of new blues Max had dropped off.
They were finally leaving and Kara felt strange staying with someone she barley knew, but the Admiral and Caroline hadn't given her much choice.
Before they made it home Caroline spoke " Kara if you ever need to talk I will listen and try to help you if you let me "
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Lee had already moved his things downstairs in the guest room next to Zak. After that he changed his bedding and cleaned up his room and the private bathroom he had.
Lee wasn't sure what all happened to Kara so he settled on vegetable soup and cornbread.
He went downstairs to Zak's room and pounded on the door " Zak get up and send your company home Mom will be here soon with Kara "
Zak grumbled something Lee didn't understand so he knocked again " Now Zak, unless you want mom to get you up when she gets here "
Lee laughed as he heard Zak trying to wake up his girlfriend and it sounded like he was trying to get dressed.
Then Lee heard Molly " Why can't I stay Zak, maybe I can help "
Zak finally relented " Fine, but I am not promising mom is going to like it "
Molly laughed " Don't be silly everyone likes me "
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Lee ran upstairs when he heard a car in the driveway and went out to help.
Lee's mom got out first and then Kara and Lee was floored when he saw the woman he had been trying to get up the courage to ask out before he left for War College and Kara seemed surprised also as she recognized the most sought after guy on campus before he transferred away from the Academy.
They both stood there frozen until Caroline came around the car " Lee this Kara Thrace, Kara this is my son Lee Adama "
" I know who she is " Lee said at the same time Kara said " I know who he is "
They would both have stood there longer if Caroline hadn't spoken up " Lee, Kara needs to get inside and sit down "
Lee stammered " Oh sorry, it's this way "
After they got inside Caroline spoke up " Lee show Kara where she will be staying and where everything is, I need to change clothes before lunch and where is Zak?"
Lee rolled his eyes at his mother " He is with Molly and I think she is staying for lunch "
Lee took Kara upstairs and showed her around, both of them speaking only when necessary.
Kara spoke breaking the silence " Lee if I had known I wouldn't have come, I'm sorry "
Lee looked at her confused " I'm glad you did Kara and I am sorry for the way I acted at the Academy my last year there "
Now Kara was confused " Why are you sorry Lee?"
Lee blushed " I wanted to ask you out, but I was scared you would say no "
Kara chuckled " It's okay, I wanted to ask you out too, but you were out of my league "
Lee shook his head " That's just it Kara you weren't, and I was afraid I wasn't your type of guy "
Kara grinned " I guess we were both wrong, you have a great mom Lee "
Lee grinned " Thank you and remind me later to thank her for bringing you here, maybe we will get a second chance at that date "
Kara blushed " Hey do you happen to have an extra pair of tanks and shorts, I am sick of this uniform?"
Lee walked to his dresser and took out what she needed and handed it to her " Here you go " he kept standing there
Kara chuckled " I can't change until you leave Lee, I'll meet you downstairs "
Lee blushed then left shutting the door behind him, thinking fate for bringing them together, maybe they could do this right this time around. Lee was suddenly glad Molly was staying just so Zak couldn't flirt with Kara. Lee also knew he would not be dating anyone else with Kara around.
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Caroline was already setting the table, so Lee checked on the soup and cornbread before joining his mom.
She studied her son carefully " You know who she is don't you Lee?"
Lee frowned " Yeah, she is the one I let get away by being to afraid to speak to her, let alone ask her out "
Caroline chuckled " The gods work in mysterious ways, plus it looks like she likes you too, so are you going to make the same mistake again?"
Zak and Molly walked in " Who made a mistake?"
Caroline gave him the look that said drop it " No one made a mistake, but things are sure going to be interesting around here "
Kara walked into the room and everyone fell silent for a moment until Caroline spoke " Kara this is my other son Zak and his girlfriend Molly, guys this is Kara Thrace "
Zak put it together fast " Holy frak, you are Starbuck "
Kara winked at Lee " The one and only, it's good to meet you Zak and you too Molly "
Kara sat across from Lee, so they both could sit by Caroline and Zak of course sat next to her leaving Molly sitting next to Lee .
They made small talk only touching briefly on how Kara accidental fell down a flight of stairs and would take up sniper training as soon as Doctor Harris released her.
Molly didn't care for all the attention Kara was getting and decided to tell one of her brig stories " The first time I heard about Starbuck she had decked a major earning her demerits and time in the brig "
Caroline spoke up " I am sure Kara had a very good reason why she did what she did, as a matter of fact Admiral Nagali visited her at the hospital and is pushing her paperwork through for her to train as a sniper "
Lee chimed in " If she can shoot a rifle as well as she does in a viper she will be double trouble "
They finished eating and Caroline spoke again " Zak seeing as Lee made lunch then I think you and Molly should clean up, I am tired and am going to take a nap, Kara ask Lee if you need anything otherwise I will see you later "
Caroline walked over to Kara and hugged her " I am so happy you are here Kara and please make yourself at home "
Lee, Zak and Molly watched the exchange. Lee was grinning like a fool, Molly was scowling and Zak was dumbstruck.
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Kara and Lee walked down to the lake and went to sit on the pier, they sat in silence for a while just enjoying each others company.
Lee broke the silence " It is nice out here at night when we cut the small glimmering lights on "
Kara nodded studying him " Aren't you going to ask me what happened?"
Lee shook his head " No, I figure you will tell me one day when you learn to trust me "
Lee had to know " How long do you think you will be here before leaving?"
Kara leaned back on her hands " I have to see Doc Harris in a week so he can determine if I am ready "
Lee looked down into the water instead of at her " Is it wrong for me to hope your not ready?"
Kara shrugged " No, I kinda hope I have more time here with your mom and you, but you probably have a girlfriend, so it doesn't matter "
Lee leaned forward next to her " I won't deny I have dated and maybe had a few girlfriends, but that changed the moment I saw you step out of mom's car "
Kara closed her eyes " You are better off without me Lee I tend to frak things up "
Lee reached and pulled her until they were sitting knees to knees " I have wanted you for a long time Kara and I promise to not let you or me screw this up, besides my mom might kill me, she already wishes you were her daughter "
Kara giggled " How do we know it will work out for us ?"
Lee reached and grabbed her face with both hands and kissed her slowly at first and deeper as the kiss went on before pulling back " Now does that seem like something we could screw up?"
Kara shook her head back and forth " I hope not Lee, I already love your mom and Zak is tolerable, but it all means nothing without you "
Lee sat back " We will make it work Kara. So what are your plans next year?"
Kara laughed " Officers Candidate School if I don't screw up before it even starts, what about you?"
Lee sighed " One more year of War College then off to a battle Star for two years. What will you do after OCS?"
Kara smiled " A battle star posting also "
Lee jumped up pulling her with him " Let's see if we can keep each other out of trouble in the next three years, then we can move to reserves if we decide to do that "
Kara kept a hold of his hand as they headed back to the house then she chuckled " You have it all worked out, but I think we need to test something else to see if we are compatible "
Lee turned around and smiled " See we even think alike, come on I am putting you to bed you need to rest and mom will sleep for two more hours"
Kara followed him into his room trying to stay quite " Are you sure Lee?"
Lee drug her to the bed after locking the door " I am absolutely sure, now let me prove it to you "
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A.N.-I know I am moving fast, but I have no choice, the war should began roughly in about two years and I have a lot left to cover.
-Please let me know if it is worth writing.
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