WHAT IF?

Chapter -13

Kara and Lee meet after Kara literally runs into Lee's mom, Caroline.

A.N.-I have a couple more chapters of ' What If? ' as I plan to continue this story in a sequel.

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Chapter-13

Kara woke up first the following morning with her back to Lee wrapped in his arms as usual. For a minute she didn't move, waking up with Lee was always her favorite way to start her day.

As she lay there absently rubbing one of his arms she wondered what Caroline wanted to talk to her about. She needed to convince Lee that they needed to leave earlier than expected.

Kara could feel Lee starting to wake up, so she turned over to face him. He was laying on his back, so she placed her arm across his stomach getting his attention.

Lee grinned and turned to face her " Good morning beautiful "

Kara smiled at his words, but knew they had little time before Starlight woke up " Lee I want to go to your mom's early, so we can spend some time with them before going out and because it will be the first night Starlight stays overnight away from us "

Lee leaned over and gave her a quick kiss before laying back down " Okay, speaking of going out have you met Mike's girlfriend?"

Kara shook her head " No, but we are going to the meet them at an off campus bar called ' Off Duty ' we will meet her then "

Lee thought about that for a moment " Well he couldn't have known her long if you know nothing about her "

Kara chuckled " You only met Mike yesterday, besides he told me he met her at some bar and she made a pass at him, and they have been seeing each other ever since "

Lee sat up " Kara you know you can't get into any trouble or you will mess up your battlestar posting "

Kat sat up placing her feet on the floor before looking back at Lee " I know and I am not that person anymore Lee, so stop worrying about it "

Before anything else could be said Starlight started crying, Kara stood up " I'll feed her while you get dressed and then we need to pack our bags "

Lee stood up and it took Kara a full minute to move while she stared at a completely naked Lee, something she did often. She snapped out of her trance when he put his boxers on and grabbed the first T-shirt she saw and pulled it on and grabbed her panties from the night before putting them on also. She then headed off to Starlight's room.

As she walked up to her crib she had stopped crying and watched as her mother came to lean over her " Hey baby girl, Mama's here I bet you are hungry "

Kara picked her up " You are also wet " Kara took her to the changing table " After you are changed and fed we are going to Grammy's house, she can't wait to see you " Kara babbled on as she dressed her, then held her up to face her " You are staying with Grammy tonight while Dada and Mama go out and I expect you to behave yourself for Grammy, okay Starlight?"

Lee had been leaning against the door of Starlight's room, listening to Kara's one-sided conservation " I don't think she can understand you Kara "

Kara turned to face him " Don't be to sure Lee, she is almost five months old and she is your daughter after all " Kara paused " She probably inherited your smart gene and my over achievement gene, I'd say that makes her pretty smart already "

Lee laughed as he walked toward them " Give her to me and I will feed her while you get dressed and packed "

After taking Starlight he handed her a sheet of paper.

Kara looked at it " What is this Lee? "

Lee looked at Starlight as he answered " It is a list of things to pack for Starlight in case mom needs anything "

Lee walked out of the room into the kitchen before she could respond.

Kara started to follow him asking him if he thought she didn't know what Starlight would need for an overnight stay. Instead she let it go not wanting to argue since they had little time left together.

After packing Starlight's things she then packed what she and Lee would wear tonight, as they planned to get ready at Caroline's.

Even though it was mainly an Academy bar it was off base so Kara decided to dress up and packed a form fitting black dress that fell mid thigh on her and had a deep V front that barely covered her bra and a pair of black short spike heeled, open toed shoes with a strap that tied around her ankle and last a matching black bra and pantie set.

For Lee she packed her favorite black jeans of his and a white button down shirt that she would insist he leave two buttons undone and a pair of black loafers he didn't particular like, but they went with the outfit.

Afterwards she pulled on a pair of jeans and a dark green T-shirt along with a pair of sandals.

Grabbing their things she headed to the kitchen just as Lee finished feeding Starlight and was in the process of burping her.

Lee looked up when she came in and chuckled " It seems you are ready to go "

Kara put the bags down and went to take their baby " I will be as soon as you put some shoes on and while you are doing that I am going to strap Starlight in your car "

Lee had no idea why she was in such a hurry, but didn't ask why " Go ahead I'll grab our bags on the way out "

Kara nodded and walked out after grabbing her and Lee's keys. They might be taking Lee's car, but she didn't go anywhere without her rifle and her pistol.

Kara had finished just as Lee walked out, she got into the passenger seat since it was Lee's car.

Lee looked over at her " Ready?"

Kara nodded " Ready, let's go "

[ ]

When they arrived at Caroline's it was mid-morning and after they all greeted each other Caroline reached for Starlight " Hey angel "

She then turned to Kara and Lee " Lee could you put Starlight's things in my room while Kara takes her formula to the kitchen?"

Lee nodded " Sure mom "

Kara followed her into the kitchen and put Starlight's things away as Caroline played with Starlight.

When she finished she went to sit by Caroline " Let me know when you want to talk "

Caroline looked at Kara and she could see the worry on Caroline's face " I'll send Lee to town on an errand and we can talk then "

Before Kara could ask anything more Lee walked in " Mom are you sure about keeping Starlight overnight?"

Caroline looked at him grinning " Yes Lee, in case you forgot I did raise you and Zak, we will be fine isn't that right angel?"

As they drank their coffee Caroline asked about their postings " Kara I don't think we ever told you that Helena Cain is my cousin "

Kara who had taken a sip of her coffee barely choked it down " Why didn't anyone tell me and please don't tell me you pulled strings to get my posting "

Lee answered " I had actually forgot about that, but I can assure you that you got that posting on your ability and not because of mom, she knows better than to interfere with military things "

Caroline stood up and handed Starlight to Kara " Lee's right I didn't have anything to do with your posting, plus I haven't seen Helena in years " Caroline paused " Lee could you run to town and pick up a few groceries for me?"

Lee stood up " Sure mom, what do you need?"

Caroline made a list and handed it to him " I would rather spend time with Starlight instead of running errands, thanks Lee "

Lee kissed Starlight then Kara and also kissed his mothers cheek " I'll be back soon "

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After Lee left Kara walked Starlight around until she fell asleep, so she laid her on a pallet on the living room floor.

Starlight was already rolling over and lifting her head and a pallet on the floor seemed to be the safest place for her. Kara stumbled for a moment knowing that Starlight would be crawling and trying to stand up before they saw her again.

Kara went back to sit at the counter watching Caroline wash the coffee mugs " Starlight is asleep, we can talk now Caroline "

With her back to Kara she nodded and lowered her head for a moment before joining her at the counter.

Kara was becoming concerned " Caroline just tell me, I promise whatever it is it will stay between us "

Caroline turned to face her placing one hand on the counter top and blurted out " Bill and I have been talking weekly since Starlight was born and I ask him to stay with us tonight "

Kara grinned " That is wonderful Caroline, but why keep it from Zak and Lee?"

Caroline frowned " Right now we are just friends and as for tonight I thought it would be nice for Starlight to have both her grandparents here "

Kara smirked " You are hoping more will happen, don't you?"

Caroline chuckled " Yes, and I think Bill does to, he said when they retired the Galactica in a year he was planning on staying in Caprica and taking a desk job "

Kara tilted her head " I think Lee and Zak would be happy for you both "

Caroline frowned " I hope so, but right now we don't want them to know in case it doesn't work out, so please don't tell them Kara "

Kara could tell she was worried " I won't say anything, I promise Caroline and if you ever need me to run interference I will "

Kara decided to change the subject " Lee and I will be getting ready to go from here if that is okay with you?"

Caroline stood when she heard Starlight moving around " That's fine Kara and thanks for listening and for your support "

Caroline moved to the couch to watch Starlight.

Kara peeped around the corner " I am going for a run, I will be back soon "

Caroline nodded never taking her eyes off of Starlight.

Kara ran upstairs to change into her running gear that she kept here.

As she was changing she wondered if Starlight had brought the two back together. Kara was happy for Caroline and hoped Lee and Zak would be also.

Kara was beginning to believe Starlight was a blessing for the ones closest to her.

[****]

Lee was back from town and since he saw no one around he put the groceries up before going to look for them.

After searching the house he found Kara's things in his room, but not his. Curiosity got the better of him and he went to Zak's room and found his things, he wondered what Kara was up to.

He went back upstairs and went to look out back and smiled to himself at seeing Kara, Starlight and his mom sitting on a blanket talking with Starlight between them.

Lee went out to join them as it was getting late and they would need to leave soon.

Lee went and stood beside them chuckling " Is there room for me?"

Kara stood up" Sure if you don't mind me sitting in your lap. "

Lee plopped down and reached for her pulling her into his lap wrapping his arms around her " So what have you three been up to while I was gone?"

Kara shrugged " I went for a run, other than that we have been playing with Starlight "

Lee squeezed Kara " Why are my things in Zak's room and not with yours?"

Kara blushed " I wanted to surprise you and that is kinda hard to do with us getting ready together "

Lee grabbed her chin turning it so he could look at her " Are you getting dressed up for tonight?"

Kara mumbled " Maybe " then she stood up " We won't see each other for a long time Lee and I wanted you to remember me without spit up on me and crumpled old clothes " then she sprinted back to the house.

Lee looked at his mom " That is not how I see her, she should know I'll love her no matter what she wears "

Caroline shook her head and grinned " Kara doesn't see herself like we do, so let her do this for her and you "

Lee didn't comment, he picked Starlight up and laid on his back sitting her on his chest " Your mom has no idea how much we love her, does she? "

Starlight looked at Lee with eyes as blue as his " Mama, Dada "

Caroline watched them for a few minutes glad to see how happy her son was and hated to have to stop him from playing with his daughter " Give her to me Lee, you need to get dressed yourself "

Lee sat up and kissed Starlight on the cheek before handing her over to his mom and after standing up he looked down " Mom call us if you need us to come pick her up "

Caroline rolled her eyes " We will be fine Lee and don't show up until lunchtime tomorrow even later if you want "

[****]

Lee had showered and dressed and was sitting at the kitchen counter feeding Starlight as he waited on Kara.

He looked down at his daughter " Your mom has never taken this long to get ready, I wonder what she is up to?"

Starlight couldn't answer, instead she looked at her dad with what Lee was sure was a twinkle in her blue eyes.

Lee laughed " Somehow I get the feeling you would not tell me even if you could talk "

Starlight finished her bottle, so Lee put her over his shoulder to burp her when he saw Kara enter the kitchen and stand still " So, does this look okay for our first real date?"

Lee was stunned and it took him a minute to form words " My gods Kara you look gorgeous, I'm not sure I want to share you with anyone tonight " Lee stood up still holding Starlight and walked until he reached her placing a hand against her cheek " I am also pretty sure that dress might cause a riot when the guys see Starbuck dressed like that "

Kara chuckled " I don't think so, anyway I plan to stay by your side all night, and by the way you look good too "

She reached up and unbuttoned his top two buttons " There, I want the women to see that they can look, but you belong to me "

Caroline chose that moment to enter first looking at Kara " You look beautiful Kara " then she looked at Lee for a moment " You look handsome Lee and happy, both of you do "

Kara gasped " Wait while I grab something "

Caroline and Lee waited as she walked away, Caroline reached and took Starlight from Lee. " I want you two to have fun tonight Lee and don't worry about Starlight she will be fine "

When Kara walked back in with her camera Lee should have known that was what she ran off to get. Kara was always taking pictures.

Kara handed the camera to Caroline and took Starlight and placed her on the floor " I want you to take a picture of us, this is the one of Lee and I that I want to take with me "

They stood next to each other with an arm wrapped around each others waist grinning like fools as Caroline took the picture. Kara went and picked Starlight up and held her on her hip next to Lee " I want to take this one also "

Caroline finally got them out of the house after they told Starlight good-bye several times and after giving Kara a pointed look. Kara nodded and grabbed Lee's hand " Come on or we will be late "

Once they were outside Lee grabbed Kara surprising her as he held her close before kissing her deeply " I have been wanting to do that since I first saw you in that dress "

Kara chuckled " I plan on doing much more when we get home, now let's go or we really will be late "

Lee surprised her again by opening the car door for her, she blushed as she slid inside the car. No one had ever done that for her before. Kara was trying to get Lee away from his mom's before Adama showed up.

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When they arrived at the club the parking lot was full, Kara hoped Mike had found them a table otherwise they would have to stand up.

After parking Kara was about to open the door, but waited to see what Lee would do, and just like she suspected he came around and opened her car door.

" Thanks " Kara had no idea what to say so she went with thanks.

As they walked toward the club Lee stayed right by her side with a hand at her lower back.

Kara stopped just inside the door looking around " Do you see Mike anywhere?"

Lee had been looking also and was about to answer no when he saw Mike by himself at a table near the left wall.

He pointed " He is over there, but we are going to have to cross the dance floor to reach him " Lee looked over at her " Ready?"

Kara nodded " Ready "

They hadn't taken two steps before someone hollered " Frak me, is that Starbuck?"

Lee kept walking with his hand on her back and they actually made it three steps before someone else yelled "Oh my gods that is Starbuck and she is with Apollo "

Kara had expected something like this. They had not told anyone outside of the family about their marriage or their daughter except Mike and her Captain.

After a couple of more steps someone stepped right in front of them blocking them from moving " Kara what in the frak is going on, I don't hear from you for almost a year and you just show up here like this?" he said as he looked her up and down.

Lee stepped forward, but Kara stopped him by placing a hand on his arm " I can explain Karl, but not right now we are meeting some people, I'll call you tomorrow okay?" Kara paused " Apollo this is Helo a very good friend of mine from basic and Helo this is"

Helo didn't let her finish " I know who Apollo is Kara "

Kara grinned " I was going to say my husband Helo before you interrupted "

Helo gasped " You are married to Apollo, when and why?"

Kara slapped his arm since it was the closest " Because I love him you fool and I will explain the rest tomorrow okay?"

Helo stepped back to let them pass " You had better or I will hunt you down Starbuck "

Kara turned back and winked at him " If it helps you can tell the rest of these fools we are married "

Helo let out a big " Whoop " and looked for the largest gathering of people to tell them.

They finally made it to the table where Mike was and sat down. " Thank the gods that is over " Kara said as she looked at Mike " Where is your girlfriend?"

Mike was still reeling from the attention Lee and Kara had gotten as they came in " Bathroom " he looked at Kara " You look stunning in that dress Kara, I guess that explains what happened on the way over here "

Kara blushed " Thanks, I think it was partly seeing Starbuck in a dress and also because I was with Apollo "

In all the excitement Mike forgot to tell Kara his news " I have been posted on the Pegasus it seems she needs some more marines "

Kara stood up to hug him " Oh my gods, I am so happy you are going to be on the Pegasus with me " she wouldn't admit it but she didn't like the idea of not knowing if she would know any of the Pegasus crew.

They all three heard a cold voice " It seems you like to take all the men I date "

Mike froze, Kara chuckled after seeing who it was and Lee laid his head in his arms as he looked down at the table.

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