What If ?-Chapter-6
This story is A.U. for now, but could change in later chapters, maybe.
Kara and Lee meet through Lee's mom Caroline and Kara quickly becomes a part of the family.
I wanted to explore Caroline in my own way simply based on the fact that she had a part in shaping the kind of man Lee would become and I truly believe Lee loved her and mourned her passing more than RDM showed.
I also did not care much for any of the flash backs the writers showed us, they didn't fit with the people I came to know throughout the show, and Adama's FB left me understanding more about Lee's reaction to Adama and wanting to know more about his mom.
I am going to stop rambling now.
Okay one more thing to say " As you will be able to tell I am not familiar with sniper training, so I hope you bear with me as I muddle through.
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WHAT IF ?-CHAPTER-6
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Kara awoke suddenly when she heard her C.O. yelling at them after blinding them with the lights " You have ten minutes to meet me in the other barracks, do not be late " he barked out loudly.
Kara felt like a cadet on her first morning at the Academy as she drug herself out of bed and into her clothes, not knowing what he had planned for the day. She was on her way out when Mike stopped her " You forgot to make your bunk Starbuck "
Kara turned around and glared at the bunk before finally making it up as she listened to Mike complaining.
She smiled when she heard Mike say " I must have been insane when I signed up for this "
Kara didn't really mind, she needed all the distractions she could find to keep her mind off Lee and Caroline in order to pass this course.
Ten minutes on the mark they all walked into the other barracks only to find a table with twelve sniper rifles laid out. Captain Davis stood between them and the table " Today you will strip these rifles apart and put them back together again until you can all do it in one minute and not before "
Captain Davis stepped to the side and held out his stop watch " Begin! " he shouted.
Everyone took longer than a minute, including Kara who was familiar with guns. She was frustated at failing even though she was fully aware she had never taken this particular rifle apart before let alone fire one.
After two hours they all passed, finding out that they had to all be able to accomplish it before they could move on. Captain Davis allowed them a thirty minute break before they would start a five mile hike up the mountain carrying their rifles, in an hour and a halves time.
By the time lunch was slotted into their schedule they put their rifles down and fell into their seats for lunch.
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When Zak and Lee made it to the kitchen for breakfast they expected to see their mom waiting for them, except she wasn't there. Lee saw his dad's briefcase on the floor by his seat at the table. After nudging Zak they walked to their dad's office door finding it shut. They went back to the kitchen and Lee poured himself a cup of coffee and took a seat at the bar watching Zak do the same.
Lee knew his parents didn't spend much time alone since they separated a few months ago and were surprised when they walked in together coming from his dad's office. " What's going on mom? "
Caroline had gone straight to the stove to start breakfast " Your dad is helping me out with something, that's all "
They both turned toward the table when he spoke " Good morning boys "
Caroline drew them back to looking at her " Take a seat, the pancakes will be ready soon "
Lee and Zak exchanged looks before doing as she said.
Adama knew Caroline did not want Lee to know she was trying to get in touch with Kara, so he chose a safe topic " Lee, do you have a preference to which battle star you get posted on?"
Lee answered quickly " I haven't really gave it any thought, I'll have to go where they place me "
Adama looked beside him at Zak " Are you excited about starting at the Academy this fall?"
Zak nodded and smiled " Especially Basic Flight, I can't wait to get in a simulator "
Lee frowned, he didn't think Zak had what it took to be a viper pilot.
After Caroline had brought all their plates to the table she sat down and began her silent prayers to the gods while the men waited.
Zak spoke " You know dad Kara believes in the gods just like mom does "
Adama looked at Caroline " That's interesting, no wonder you like her so much "
Lee abruptly changed the subject " I am going to put a down payment on the house I found, I have decided to stay there during my last year at War College "
That Adama did not know " Why waste your money Lee, you can stay on campus for free?"
Lee shrugged " I want a place that is just mine, do you want to go see it Zak? "
Zak almost blurted out he had seen the outside already, but caught himself " Sure, I don't have anything better to do "
They finished the rest of the meal barely speaking. Lee offered to clean up, but Caroline would not let him " I'll do it Lee, plus your father and I still have things to discuss "
After a long moment Zak and Lee stood up and said their good-byes before leaving.
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As soon as the boys left Bill walked over to the sink where Caroline was cleaning the dishes " Why would Lee want to rent a house instead of staying on campus?"
Caroline rinsed the last plate and after putting the dish rag down she turned to face Bill and sighed, not really wanting to tell him, but she knew he wouldn't let it go " While Kara and I were shopping one day Lee walked around town and he saw a house for rent " she paused to pour them each a coffee then motioned for him to sit.
She sat across the counter from him " Lee went in and looked at the place and got this idea in his head that Kara and he could live there together and it was even better because it is located between the Academy and War College "
Adama was confused because Lee was acting out of character " They only just met, why would he do this?"
Caroline smiled " He loves her Bill and I mean head over hills in love with her and he thought she would agree to live there with him "
Bill sighed " Let me guess, she said no "
Caroline shook her head " She didn't say no, but she didn't say yes either, she told him she would have to think about it and she couldn't do that until she finished her sniper course " Caroline thought back to what Kara had said " Kara loves Lee to, but she doesn't think she is good enough for him "
Bill looked right at her when she said that " Why, there can't be anything that wrong with her if she is the best viper pilot to ever graduate from the Academy " he knew because he had looked at her file after Caroline had talked to him several days ago " She also services her own viper and is in the top of her class on the firing range, now that I think about it she is not the type of girl Lee usually dates "
That made Caroline smile " No she's not, she is a very special woman Bill, even after all the years of suffering she had to endure " Caroline knew she should shut up, but she was proud of Kara and she needed Bill to understand, plus she needed to tell someone and she could trust Bill even if they weren't together anymore.
Bill was worried because he knew Caroline had become attached to this girl " Tell me what you know Caroline, maybe I can help "
So Caroline told him how they had met and what the Doctor had told her about Kara's broken fingers, arms and legs that happened when she was a child and that Nagalia told Kara to stay away from her mother until he could find out a few things, then she sobbed when she remembered Kara's confession " Kara told me her mother pushed her down the stairs and that was why she ended up in the hospital "
Bill let out a long sigh " I am amazed at what she has accomplished after all those years of abuse, does Lee know?"
Caroline shook her head " No, Kara will tell him if she wants him to know, now do you understand why I need to speak to her ?"
He nodded " I think so "
Caroline wiped the tears from her eyes " I need to know she is okay, but even more than that I want her to know I am thinking about her and let her know Lee and I miss her, so please find a way for me to speak to her "
Bill stood up " Come with me to the office, it is close to lunch time now and I have a favor I can call in, so you can speak to her as soon as I set it up "
Caroline jumped off the stool and followed him and waited while he called Admiral Nagalia and let him know what he wanted " I'll see what I can do Bill give me a few minutes "
Caroline was absently fixing her hair while she waited because it would be a video call and Bill smiled at how she had perked up at the chance to speak to Kara.
[ small break********
Kara was eating lunch and talking with Mike and a few others when Captain Davis walked up to their table " Lt. Thrace, Admiral Nagalia has arranged for you to receive a video call, come with me please "
Kara jumped up scared that something bad had happened to Lee or Caroline " Do you know what it is about Captain? " she asked as they walked.
No he didn't know and it was highly unusual for this to happen unless it was bad news " No, Kara I don't, I'm sorry " he showed her to the room and walked out.
Kara stood there waiting for the only person in there to tell her what to do.
The woman stood up " Come over here and when your ready push this link, I'll wait outside "
Kara was scared to death to open the link, but she couldn't avoid it, so she pushed the link and it was blank.
[break over*****************************************************************************
Caroline was wringing her hands waiting, she glanced back at Bill who was standing out of range.
All of a sudden she saw Kara " Kara, it's me Caroline can you see me?"
Kara jumped when Caroline appeared " Oh my gods Caroline are you okay, is Lee okay, please don't tell me he is back in the hospital ? "
Caroline quickly calmed her down " Everybody is fine Kara, I just missed you and wanted to talk to you and make sure you were okay, I'm sorry for scaring you "
Kara barely held back her tears " It's okay I'm glad you called, at least now I know you and Lee are okay, where is he?"
Caroline was going to tell her the truth " He took Zak to see the house he is going to rent, have you shot anyone yet?" she asked to lighten the mood.
Kara relaxed and sat down " No, so far we have only assembled and reassembled the rifles and hiked into the mountains, I think they are trying to see if anyone quits before they will actually allow us to shoot the frakking thing "
Caroline chuckled " How many are there in your unit?"
Kara snorted " There are only twelve of us and the Captain likes telling us that only two of us will pass the course " she paused and laughed " That is when I ask him who else will be passing besides me?"
Caroline was laughing " I miss you so much Kara and so does Lee, I think Zak misses you also, he says he is spending to much of his summer vacation with his brother "
Kara chuckled again " Tell him I owe him one, by the way how did you pull this call off?"
Kara saw Caroline look behind her and motion to someone before turning back around " Kara I would like you to meet Bill, Lee and Zak's father he arranged the call "
Kara barley heard her as she scrambled up and out of her seat standing at attention quicker than she thought possible " It's good to meet you Commander and excuse my lax behavior sir "
Bill had to smile, Caroline was right she was special " It's fine Lt. this isn't a formal meet and greet, so how come you wanted to learn to shoot like a sniper?"
Kara relaxed her stance " In case I ever found myself in a situation that would require me knowing how to, sir "
Bill already liked her " You aren't thinking of giving up flying are you?"
Kara looked at him like he was crazy " It will be a cold day in Hades before I give up flying, it was the first thing I ever truly loved and if I have it my way I will die flying, so no flying is my life " she paused before adding " I figured since I could shoot anything out of the skies I might as well learn to shoot anything on the ground also "
Caroline cut in " That's enough military talk you two, Kara I want you to come home the second you finish your sniper training "
Kara hoped, but she had to ask " You want me to come to your home?"
Caroline smiled " Yes Kara, because it is your home now, I need to go soon is there anything you want me to tell Lee?"
Kara knew this would be her only chance " Tell him I'm sorry for leaving like I did and for taking a picture of him from his room, and I miss him and I pray every night to the gods to keep him safe "
Adama knew if he didn't end this soon Caroline would be crying " It was good to meet you Kara and I hope to see you in person the next time "
Kara knew he was ending the call " The same goes for me sir, bye Caroline I'll see you in twenty-eight days " Kara cut the vid and silently cried, she couldn't believe Caroline would go to so much trouble just for her.
Once Kara cut the video Caroline shocked Bill by throwing her arms around his neck " Thank you Bill, that meant the world to me for you to do that so I could talk to Kara "
Bill hugged her back, it had been a really long time since he had seen her like this " You do know you already love Kara just like a daughter don't you?"
She pulled back and smirked " What gave it away?"
Bill laughed out loud, then he and Caroline froze when they heard someone shouting " What in the frak is going on ?"
Caroline stepped back " Watch your language and your tone Lee Adama "
Zak stepped in " Although Lee cursed, we really need to know what we just saw "
Caroline smiled at Lee already forgiving him " I was thanking your father for setting up a video call to Kara "
Lee stammered " You just saw and spoke to Kara, why?"
Zak snorted at Lee's question " Lee I thought you were the smart one out of the two of us, I'm sure mom just wanted to make sure she was okay and talk to her "
Adama spoke up " I met her and just like your mother thought I like her, she's a keeper Lee "
Lee looked at his dad like he had two heads " What? "
This time Adama snorted " I said I like Kara, Lee and I can't wait to meet her "
Caroline walked over to Lee " Let's take a walk, Kara wanted me to tell you a few things "
Zak and Adama watched Caroline guide Lee out of the room. Bill turned to look at Zak " Why was Lee in the hospital "
Zak shook his head no " Ask mom " then he walked out.
Lee lay in bed a long time after listening to what Kara had told his mom. He was happy that she made it seem like they still had a chance, but out of all the things she said he was hung up on her taking a picture of him with her, that had to mean something. Lee knew he just needed to get through the next twenty eight days.
He decided to get the house ready for them both, hoping she would stay with him.
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Mike was waiting on Kara when she came out after her video call " Is everything okay?"
Kara smiled " Perfect, I got a call from my family "
Kara was happy, she wasn't going to say anything else. Caroline said she was family and only family would call to see if you were okay, so she believed her and couldn't wait to get home.
Over the next twenty eight days Kara did everything she was told to do and placed the highest scores every time. She found out she could sit for hours staring through a scope waiting for the day she would be allowed to shoot her target.
Half-way through the course there were only five people left and Mike was one of them. They had become good friends over time and once they started shooting targets he became her spotter as she was the better shot.
With one week left there were two teams left a shooter and a spotter making up each team. They were close but Kara and Mike had higher scores and they were the team that was chosen.
They were both at the Academy, Kara as a pilot and Mike as a marine. Captain Davis explained that there careers would remain the priority, but if a sniper was ever needed they would be called up to take care of the situation.
Kara packed up and waited for the transport that would take them back to the Academy. She was going home.
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Lee spent the rest of the month getting the house ready.
Caroline insisted on buying the bedroom furniture knowing it would cost the most, but she kept it simple because she knew Kara did not like fancy things as much as she liked comfortable things.
The house came with a fridge and a stove, so Lee moved in so he could work on it at his own pace.
Caroline gave them her parents dining room table that she had kept in storage and extra towels and washrags she had accumulated over the years.
Lee did have to buy a sofa and chair and he picked out a chair big enough to hold them both and a simple but soft sofa.
He decided to leave the walls, so Kara could put up whatever she wanted. As for the second bedroom he moved the desk from his room at his mom's house to use as an office or a place to study.
Zak helped him put up bookcases in the office/study room along with two chairs and a desk for Kara that came out of Zak's room.
Kara would be back in two days, so it was no surprise when his mom showed up with enough groceries to last a month and a few plates, glasses, and silverware that she had too much of.
Lee figured if they needed anything else they could shop for it together. They still had a month and a half before classes started back.
Lee knew there was a chance Kara would not stay with him, but he wasn't giving up on her.
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Kara had been back on base since early that morning. She was going to leave her duffel there instead she went by her apartment, no one knew about and unloaded her gear and packed an overnight bag with a couple of outfits in case she stayed at the Adama's.
She had called Caroline shortly after getting back and Caroline told her not to be late for dinner.
Kara took a long shower trying to shift through the different ways things might happen when she saw Lee again. Kara hoped he forgave her for leaving like she did. She wasn't worried about seeing Caroline, she knew that would go well.
Kara decided to dress a little nicer than usual. She wore a pair of soft black pants with one inch black heels and a silky silver top with thin straps which dipped V shaped, and was cut low enough to be respectable while still showing the top of her breasts just enough to catch Lee's eyes.
She had not cut her hair because Lee seemed to like it long or he just liked to hold onto it when they had sex, it was longer now then when he last saw it. Sex, gods Kara thought, it had been so long, still she was nervous.
With nothing left to do she left praying that Lee hadn't found anyone else while she was gone. Caroline didn't act like he did, oh well she would soon find out.
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If Kara was nervous then Lee was so far past nervous he was spinning out of control he was so wound up.
Zak sat at the counter watching him walk from room to room. He even arranged and rearranged the table settings.
Caroline noticed him also and told him to get his room ready for Kara.
It wasn't long before he was back downstairs with them. She knew Lee's alcohol poisoning was an accident, so she decided one drink couldn't hurt him. " Lee please pour yourself a drink to calm your nerves before you drive us all insane
Zak busted out laughing at Lee's expression when their mom said that.
Lee cut his eyes at Zak " I'm okay mom, really "
Zak grabbed the bottle and poured Lee a drink and handed it to him " Take a drink Lee, please "
Lee looked at the drink for a moment before drinking it.
" Oh gods Zak I don't think I can see her " he said as he absently took another swallow.
Zak took the bottle and poured himself a drink " It's just Kara, Lee " Zak had a thought and busted out laughing.
Lee looked at him like he was crazy " What is it Zak?"
Zak stammered out " I just remembered if you try and run she might kill you and now that she is a sniper you won't be able to outrun her "
Lee grabbed the bottle back and took another swallow, straight from the bottle this time " That's not funny Zak "
Zak nodded " Yes it is "
Caroline heard the doorbell " Answer the door Lee, Kara's here "
All of a sudden Lee looked at his clothes " Do I look okay?"
Zak had just took another drink when Lee asked him that, Zak choked and the scotch flew out of his mouth right onto Lee.
Lee jumped back " Why in the frak did you do that "
Zak chuckled " Because you asked a stupid question causing me to choke "
Lee was trying to wipe it off " Now what am I going to do?"
Zak smirked " See there's another stupid question, go and change your clothes Lee "
Lee rolled his eyes " What about Kara "
Zak walked off " I'm pretty sure she doesn't need to change, go change I'll let her in "
Lee ran up the stairs before Zak opened the door gaping at her for a moment " You look beautiful Kara, come in "
Kara had just stepped inside when she saw Caroline heading her way, she threw her arms around her and hugged her tight " Zak's right you do look beautiful, come into the kitchen with me " Caroline suddenly turned around pulling Kara by her hand " I hope you brought some clothes with you so you can stay "
Kara nodded " They are in my truck "
Caroline looked at Zak " Get Kara's things and put them in Lee's room "
Kara followed Caroline wondering if Lee was coming.
" You are just in time dinner is ready, we will eat as soon as the guys show up " Caroline wondered if Lee would come back down.
Zak had just come down from upstairs after dropping Kara's bag in Lee's room " Lee will be here soon, he had to change his clothes "
Zak plopped himself on a bar stool and looked at Kara again " I swear if my brother didn't love you so much, I would steal you away from him, you are beautiful and lethal now "
Caroline chuckled " Zak, you couldn't handle Kara, she would eat you alive "
Kara walked by and ruffled his hair " Thanks Zak, but I think of you as the brother I never had "
Zak smiled " Well now that your home, as your brother it's your turn to take care of Lee, so I can go out and have some fun for a change "
Kara sat down beside him, nervous again about seeing Lee " Is Lee ever coming down?"
Caroline walked over by her " He is nervous about seeing you and is a bit wound up, maybe you should go to him "
Kara gulped " He isn't the only one nervous " she got up anyway and went upstairs slowly approaching his room.
She put her hand on the door knob and opened the door only to find him standing shirtless by the window, she walked in and closed the door and he still hadn't turned around " Lee, are you okay?"
He turned when she said his name " Oh gods Kara I'm sorry, I just didn't know how to face you after not seeing you for so long, and I wasn't sure how you felt after the way you left "
Kara was smiling as she slowly closed the distance while he was talking, she stopped when she reached him and hesitated before wrapping her arms around his neck hugging him.
That was all Lee needed, he dropped the shirt he had been holding and wrapped his arms around her waist hugging her so tight she could barely breathe. " I missed you so much Kara "
Kara had laid her head on his shoulder and lightly kissed his neck " I missed you too Lee "
Lee pulled back and looked at her " You look beautiful Kara "
Kara chuckled " That's what your family keeps telling me "
Lee's look turned serious " They are your family now Kara, I'm beginning to believe my mom loves you a whole lot more than me or Zak "
Kara wasn't nervous anymore and if she ever doubted what she felt for Lee she didn't any longer " Shut up and kiss me Lee "
Lee grinned " With pleasure " and once he started kissing her he couldn't stop. He stopped only to catch his breath before kissing her again.
Kara was kissing him with the same intensity, she felt the back of her legs hit the bed not even realising they had moved.
Lee didn't let up, he gently pushed her onto the bed and crawled on top of her holding himself up by his arms while still kissing her. Lee knew it wasn't enough he had to have her now. " Kara I need " she didn't let him finish " I do to Lee "
They both let go of all their nervousness and made love fast and quick, not being able or wanting to slow down, then falling down beside each other afterward.
Lee recovered first " That was so worth the wait, but next time I want to take my time with you "
Kara rolled to face him grinning as she looked down to see him hardening again " Are you sure you can wait that long?" she asked as she slowly ran one finger lightly down his stomach.
Lee grabbed her hand " No, but I know mom will come up here soon if we don't show up downstairs "
Kara removed her hand and sat up " You're right " she turned to look at him as he sat up beside her " Lee we need to talk about what happened to you the night before I left "
Lee placed his hand over hers that was between them " I know, but it was an accident Kara I wasn't trying to hurt myself and it wasn't just about you, it was also because my dad was coming home "
Kara was relieved " Okay, and I ran away because I didn't want to hurt you anymore than I had already "
Lee stood up and started dressing and Kara did the same " I have a surprise for you, I hope you will like it " he paused to pull his shirt on.
Kara wondered what kind of surprise, but didn't ask " We had better go downstairs now "
Lee kissed her one more time quickly before taking her hand and walking out of his room.
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Caroline had finished and was sitting with Zak wondering now if either one of them were coming down " Do you think they are okay, Zak?"
Zak would have laughed if his mom wasn't so worried " They will come down mom, they are probably talking "
Caroline had never thought much about how Kara would feel about the house Lee moved into " Zak, I hope the house doesn't make Kara run away again, cause I'm not sure what would happen to Lee "
Zak was concerned about that also " Kara seems more settled this time mom, plus she came here as soon as she could "
Caroline smiled " You're right Zak, she did "
Kara and Lee stopped holding hands before they entered the kitchen only to find Zak and Caroline waiting on them, they both blushed.
Caroline got up " Finally, I was getting ready to go and drag you both downstairs "
Their faces got redder as they both thought the same thing.
Zak started laughing at them " What were you two doing up there for so long?"
Kara and Lee both glared at him as Kara answered " We were talking Zak, get your mind out of the gutter "
Caroline knew then and as a mom she should be horrified of the idea, but it was Kara and that was what made it different, she winked at Kara before saying " Excuse Zak Kara, he gets bored easily and likes to ruffle feathers "
Zak opened his mouth to respond, but Lee caught his mom winking at Kara " Let it go Zak "
They all four sat down and talked while enjoying their dinner.
As the time once before, Caroline had Lee and Zak clean up while she and Kara walked out back to talk.
Zak looked at Lee " Do you feel like we have been replaced by mom for Kara?"
Lee chuckled " Not replaced so much, as I know she will always take Kara's side over ours "
Zak responded " Do you think dad will like her as much as mom does?"
Lee thought about it " Yes, because Kara is everything dad ever wanted in a son "
Zak cursed " I blame you Lee, you just had to fall in love with the perfect woman "
Lee laughed " Kara's not perfect, she's special because she is imperfect "
Zak gave him a strange look " What in the frak does that even mean ?"
Lee didn't know how to explain it, so he didn't.
They sat together on the steps, Kara waited for Caroline to talk, she sensed she wanted to talk to her about something important.
Caroline turned a little to look at Kara " I am so happy you are home Kara and no matter what you say or feel about Lee, things won't change between us, okay?"
Kara nodded, she knew what Caroline wanted to know " Kara do you love Lee, I only ask because I know how much he loves you and I need to be prepared if you don't "
Kara turned and crossed her legs Indian style after taking off her heels " Yes Caroline I love Lee, I loved him when I left, but it was too much to fast so I ran, but after seeing him again I realised I would always love him "
Caroline reached out and patted her hand " Good, because he has a surprise for you "
Kara grinned " I know he told me, but he didn't tell me what it was "
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A.N.-I just wanted to say I had my reasons for Kara training to become a sniper.
and also - I have posted several chapters lately, I hope I haven't caused anyone to miss one of them.
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