WHAT IF ?- NOW COMPLETE
Kara meets Lee after running into Caroline Adama one day and becomes a part of their family.
A.N.-This is the last chapter to this story. I will leave it at incomplete for a few days then move it to complete.
There will be a sequel, just not sure when.
Chapter-16
Lee and Kara spent their last six days at home, only leaving for food and other supplies Caroline might need when she brought Starlight into town.
They did invite Mike and Zak over for dinner two nights before they had to leave after learning that Caroline had told Zak about her and their dad, they wanted to know how he felt about it. Of course Zak was happy about it.
Lee had decided on cooking steaks on the grill while Kara made a salad and baked potatoes.
Zak took the time to play with Starlight and asked Kara a hundred questions in case something happened.
Mike sat outback with Lee drinking beer with him as he grilled.
Lee had been the one to invite Mike, so he could ask him something and after checking the steaks he sat down with Mike " Hey Mike, I wanted to ask you to keep an eye on Kara, without being obvious about it "
Mike finished swallowing his sip of beer and looked at Lee " Why, you know Kara can take care of herself "
Lee smiled " I know that, I am just afraid she might become sad and withdrawn being away from Starlight, I just want you to keep her occupied when she is off duty, if you are available "
Mike nodded his understanding " Who will keep you occupied when you start missing Kara and your daughter?"
Lee thought about it " I plan to keep busy and spend a lot of time in the gym and keeping in touch with Kara and my mom by phone and letters "
Kara walked out back and grabbed a beer before sitting down " What are you guys talking about?"
Mike shrugged " Just shooting the breeze "
Kara snorted " I doubt that, I am more apt to believe Lee asked you to keep an eye on me "
Lee got up to check on the steaks not commenting on what she said " What are Zak and Starlight doing?"
Kara laughed " After asking me a ton of questions about Starlight he is now on the floor playing with her and her toys now that she is sitting up on her own "
After everyone had ate Lee practically ran them off, not wanting to waste anymore time visiting with them. " We will see both of you at the Space Port in two days "
That night they both spent a lot of time on the floor with Starlight between them, playing with her and repeatably trying to get her to say Mama and Dada.
They then bathed her together instead of one or the other doing it as they usually did.
Lee then sat by Kara and watched with his arm around her shoulder as she fed Starlight her bottle before bedtime.
Once Starlight finished her bottle Kara handed her to Lee to burp her and put her to bed. Kara stayed beside them and watched in silence as they had done for the last hour.
Lee hugged her close for a moment before laying her down then stepped back, so Kara could say good-night.
Kara leaned over the crib and gently touched her face, then pulled her blanket up to cover her " Good-night baby girl "
That night Lee and Kara showered together taking their time and Kara relaxed as Lee shampooed her hair and then washed her body and when he finished she returned the favor, this wasn't about sex for them it was simply a way for them to express their feelings for one another. Afterwards he turned her away from him and massaged her back and neck muscles as she leaned with her head against the shower wall. By the time he finished she was almost asleep. They hadn't made love in the shower because they both knew that wasn't what that had been about. Lee got out first and dried off before turning the shower off and wrapping a large towel around her leading her to their bed. Lee knew how much Kara was going to miss Star because he felt the same way.
After leaving the bathroom Kara dried off and dropped the towel on the floor by the bed and crawled into it naked just as Lee had done. They turned on their sides facing each other, they could see each other by the street light outside that was casting shadows around the room. Kara knew Lee wanted to say something, but she stopped him by placing a finger on his lips. Then she scooted to him making sure their bodies were as close as possible, then she kissed him gently at first then more roughly as the thought of them being apart soon ripped through her soul.
Lee knew no words needed to be spoken yet, so he gave in and kissed her with a ferocity he didn't know he possessed.
After making love they lay there holding each other still not having said anything.
They both turned on their sides and Kara scooted back into Lee's chest and linked their fingers together with the hand he had across her hip. " Goodnight Lee " she whispered.
Lee squeezed her hand " Goodnight Kara "
The next morning Lee woke up before Kara and after putting on his boxers and a T-shirt he went to Star's room.
She was still sleeping, so he picked her up and carried her back to his and Kara's room and put her in the bed and climbed in after her watching her as she slept between them.
Lee also watched Kara who still slept like their daughter. He was in no hurry for them to wake up as he was committing this moment to memory.
Lee watched as Starlight began to wake up, finding it funny that she stretched almost exactly like Kara did when she woke up. She then turned her head and looked at him smiling with her blue eyes wide open. " Good morning Star are you ready to eat ?" he asked in a cooing voice
Kara heard Lee and opened her eyes finding them looking at each other. " Hey guys, how did you get into our bed baby girl?" Kara knew how, she just felt like asking.
Lee had placed his feet flat on the bed and picked Star up letting her lay back against his legs, so Kara could lay next to them.
As Kara moved next to them Lee lifted an arm up so she could lay her head against his shoulder. Before laying her head on him she kissed his cheek. For a while they all three looked at each other as Kara and Lee tried to get her to laugh instead Star started crying.
Kara got out of bed and quickly pulled on a pair of shorts and a shirt before taking Starlight from Lee " Come on baby girl Mama will feed you " then she smelled her " Frak Starlight you stink, looks like I will have to change you before I can feed you "
Lee laughed and waited until they left the room before getting up to take a shower.
By the time he had made it to the kitchen Kara had just about finished feeding Star her oatmeal, they tried to feed her with a spoon at least once a day, usually in the morning " I'll finish while you grab a shower Kara "
Kara wasted no time handing him her spoon and giving him her chair " Thanks, I won't be long "
Kara waited until she was undressed and in the shower before she started crying. She knew Lee was having a hard time about leaving, so she spent most of her time reassuring him, but the truth was that she was having a hard time herself. She needed to be strong for Lee, so she always waited until she was alone before crying.
Lee knew as soon as Star settled down for a nap that him and Kara would start packing. His mom was coming over to stay tonight, so she could drive them to the Space Port in the morning.
Lee also knew Kara cried whenever she thought she was alone, because he had heard her a few times, but he knew not to mention it. He knew she was probably crying in the shower now with how quickly she had given him Star's spoon and jumped up from her chair.
Lee had been right because as soon as he put Star into her crib and went to their bedroom she was already packing. While Lee put Starlight to bed Kara got her and Lee's duffel's out of the closet and placed them on the bed. She knew there was a limit to what they could pack, so she didn't bother with many clothes since she would be assigned new ones on the Pegasus. She did pack the black dress she had worn on their first date and the attire that went with it.
Lee walked into the bedroom and watched her pack for a moment before packing his own duffel. Like Kara he didn't pack many clothes except for his black jeans and white shirt, hoping they could meet up for leave somewhere if not here. Next he took the small picture off the dresser she had painted for him of his pond surrounded by flowers and filled with goldfish. He wrapped it in one of his t-shirts and packed it.
Kara went and got both of the small photo albums out of the dresser along with a package Caroline had sent her and sat on the bed. She opened it up to find pictures of Starlight with Caroline and Bill and some of just Starlight, she smiled as she looked through them.
Lee saw her smiling and stopped packing to go sit by her " What are you looking at?"
Kara handed him the photos " Your mom sent them to me yesterday, so we could add them to our albums, pick out the ones you want and I will keep the rest "
Lee smiled " I want the one of Star and dad and one of mom with her also, and I like the one mom took of Star laying on her blanket in the yard napping "
Kara had noticed Lee had been calling her that for a few days now " Why are you calling her Star now instead of her full name?"
Lee shrugged " I like it and it kind of sounds like a call sign, besides you call her baby girl "
Kara rolled her eyes " Well in my defense she is a baby girl, but you are right she is my baby girl " Kara fell quiet and turned away from Lee.
He put the photos down and wrapped his arms around her from behind, he could feel her trembling " It is alright to cry Kara, I know I have done my share of crying lately "
Kara turned in his arms with tears still in her eyes " I am going to miss her and you so much Lee "
Lee hugged her " I feel the same way, but we have to honor our contract with the military and after that I plan on switching to reserves, so I can be at home more "
Kara pulled back and looked at him " I never thought I would ever want to give up flying, but you and Starlight mean more to me than flying, gods I can't believe how much I have changed "
Lee pulled her face to him and cupped his hands on her cheeks and kissed her deeply trying to savor another moment in time. He pulled away " Let's finish packing and take Star to the park for the afternoon, before mom gets here"
Kara nodded and got up to finish packing " Lee I want to take one of your t-shirts with me "
He had also gotten up to pack and turned around to look at her grinning " That's fair, since I have already chosen something of yours, now which shirt do you want?"
Kara glared at him " The black one and what exactly did you take that belongs to me?"
He chuckled " I grabbed your black panties and bra out of your duffel when you went to get the photo albums, you will only be wearing them when I am around anyway "
Kara laughed " If the pilots on the Atlantia see those they will think you are a pervert, so go ahead and keep them, I bet you will get a lot of odd looks "
Lee shrugged " I don't care, I will just tell them they belong to my very beautiful wife "
Kara blushed " Let's go to the park, we can finish packing later "
Lee dropped his socks and followed her out the bedroom door and while she grabbed Star and her bag he grabbed the stroller and a blanket.
They spent most of the day in the park laying on the blanket that Lee grabbed when he got the stroller. They kept Starlight between them as they watched other families with their children doing different things together.
Kara still at times wondered how she had ended up with a family. Her life before meeting Caroline and Lee consisted of flying, fighting and the occasional frak. She still felt like running away sometimes, because she was afraid of frakking up and losing it all.
Her courses at Officer Candidate school had also helped keep her out of trouble, despite what her mother thought she had been told by several of her teachers that she would make a fine military officer.
Lee spotted a food cart " It is lunch time Kara and I am starving, I am going to get a hot dog, do you want one? "
Kara sat up and looked at the cart " Yeah and a big pretzel if they have one, I will feed Starlight while you get our food "
Kara took out the bottle of water she kept in Starlight's bag and poured in the powdered milk along with some rice cereal and shook it up before picking her daughter up and cradling her in her arms feeding her the bottle. She laughed as Starlight was trying to hold the bottle by herself and after several attempts she finally got a good hold on the bottle, so Kara let her feed herself as she watched.
When Lee returned with their food and drinks Kara waited for him to sit down " Look Lee she is holding her bottle all by herself "
Lee clapped his hands letting her know he was proud of her which made Star throw the bottle away and laugh at her dad " Good girl Star "
As Lee and Kara ate Starlight fell asleep between them.
Kara studied Lee for a moment " Do you think I should try and take some leave from the military and stay home with Starlight, then when you finish your tour I could see if Cain or another battlestar would let me put in my two years?"
Lee's response was immediate " No Kara, I'm not saying you couldn't, but we would be apart for four years instead of two and I can't go that long without be able to see you everyday "
Kara looked down at Starlight and gently rubbed her back " What about her Lee, she will be without both of us for two years, won't that make us bad parents for leaving her?"
Lee placed his hand over Kara's on Star's back and held it still causing her to look at him " She is only five months old Kara, and when we both finish our tours she will only be two and a half years old at the most. She probably won't remember very much and besides she will be with her grandmother and between our visits and dad's she will see a lot of us, plus she will have her Uncle Zak for another year "
Kara turned her hand over and entwined it with Lee's " Your right, we should be able to get leave every three months, I just hope that we have leave at the same time at least once or twice a year "
Lee hated to spoil her illusions " I think once a year will be all we get, if we even get that much?"
Kara knew that was a possibility, she was just hoping out loud " I know Lee, but you never know we might get lucky "
Lee stood up and walked around behind Kara " Scoot over closer to Star, I want to hold you and maybe take a nap while Star is still sleeping, somehow I doubt either one of us will sleep much tonight "
Kara moved over and laid an arm across Star holding onto her, and Lee laid behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist holding on to her. After raising up and kissing her temple he said " Let's try to nap Kara "
Lee laid there thinking about what Kara had asked and even though it might have been best for Star, he knew he couldn't spend four years without Kara. He hoped he had talked her out of it, but sometimes Kara surprised him.
It didn't matter because he wasn't going to let her do it, Lee knew his mom would take good care of Star. He heard Kara as soon as she fell asleep and a couple of minutes later he followed her into sleep.
They were both woken a short time later by Star's babbling.
Kara looked at her and realized she had turned onto her back and was kicking her feet up and trying to catch them with her hands, at least that is what Kara thought.
Lee was leaning up on an elbow looking at Star on the other side of Kara " Is she doing what I think she is doing or at least trying to do?"
Kara turned slightly to look at him grinning " If you think she is trying to grab her feet then yes, I think that is what she is doing "
Lee sat up running his hands across his face and wondered how many of her first things she would do while they were gone.
Kara laid on her back watching Lee and knowing what he was thinking because she was thinking it also. " I'm sure your mom will take a picture of each thing she does while we are gone "
Lee turned to look at her and knew she had been thinking the same thing. " Speaking of mom we need to go home "
Kara sat up and hugged him from behind " I love you Lee Adama "
Lee closed his eyes thinking that in the morning he would be saying good-bye to his wife and daughter, also his mom and Zak " I love you too Kara Thrace Adama "
Kara kissed the back of his neck and stood up to start gathering their things realizing they had spent almost the whole day at the park.
Lee stood up also " You grab Star and I will get the rest of out things "
Since they had parked close Kara carried Starlight cradled in her arms and went to the car and buckled her in while Lee followed close behind with their things, then slid in behind the wheel waiting on Kara to get in.
As she was buckling up Lee asked " Ready?"
Kara responded as usual " Ready "
When Caroline arrived she noticed they weren't home. She thought they must have gone out for the day. Although Caroline was happy about taking care of Starlight she dreaded having to tell Lee and Kara goodbye tomorrow.
They all knew the day would come where they would have to leave, she also knew as much as it was going to hurt her for them to leave it must be devastating for Lee and Kara. Not only would they be apart, but they would also be away from their daughter.
After putting her overnight bag away she went into the kitchen intent on making something light for dinner, only because she knew no one would feel like eating much.
When Lee and Kara pulled up to their house they saw Caroline's car already there. They were silent as Lee unpacked the car and Kara unstrapped Starlight from her car seat.
Once they had everything they entered their house together and was greeted by Caroline " I hope you don't mind, but I let myself in and whipped up a small meal for dinner "
Caroline was reaching for Starlight just as Kara was handing her to Caroline " Hey, Grammy missed seeing you this week "
Caroline saw Kara's face crumple when she had said she missed her this week, forgetting that for Kara and Lee it would be much longer than a week " I'm sorry Kara, that was insensitive of me to say "
Kara shook her head " It's okay Caroline I know you didn't mean anything by it " she then walked into Starlight's room to unload her diaper bag.
Lee had heard it all while he was putting the stroller and blanket away, turning to face his mom " She will be okay, things are just going to be tense and upsetting for all of us knowing that we only have a few hours left "
Lee went to their room to take a shower and put on something comfortable for tonight.
When he walked out of the bathroom he found Kara sitting at the end of their bed. He knelt down, so he could look at her " Kara why don't you take a shower and as much as I know we are both hurting right now we need to enjoy our last night together. You can take pictures and we can spoil Star rotten tonight and after we have some alone time in bed, then we will let Star sleep with us tonight. " Lee paused knowing he was getting through to her " Let's make happy memories tonight for all of us, even mom, you know us leaving is hurting her also "
Kara leaned forward and pressed her lips to his kissing him " Thank you for reminding me Lee and tell your mom I will be out as soon as I shower "
Lee kissed her once more before standing up " We will get through this Kara, we just have to believe it "
He didn't need an answer, so he left the bedroom and went into the kitchen finding his mom sitting at the table with Star sitting up on the table in front of her, Caroline noticed when Lee walked in " She is sitting up by herself better than she ever has "
Lee pulled out a chair next to his mom " Could you take pictures of each new thing she does since we won't be here to see it for ourselves?"
Caroline knew how serious Lee was " Of course Lee, I had already planned on doing it anyway "
They talked for a while longer and stopped when Kara walked in and sat opposite Lee placing her large photo album on the table " Caroline I have been making this for Starlight since before she was born and if you don't mind I would like for you to keep it updated. I also write several things down, kind of like a diary, so she can look at it one day when she is older and know certain important things "
Caroline passed Starlight to Lee and pulled the album to her looking through it surprised at the amount of pictures and things Kara had already written. " I don't mind at all Kara, I just hope I can do as good a job of it as you have "
Lee needed to lighten things up " I am starving mom what did you cook?" he really didn't have much of an appetite, he just thought eating would occupy them for a while.
Caroline got up " You three stay here and I will bring us each a plate " she paused before stepping away " It is only spaghetti, I hope that is okay "
Kara got up anyway " That sounds good, let me help you and give these two some time together "
Kara followed Caroline into the kitchen and as she was helping she asked " Caroline is it selfish of me for wanting to do my tour on the Pegasus instead of staying here for Starlight ?"
Caroline stopped what she was doing and went to stand in front of Kara " Kara look at me " she waited until she was sure Kara would hear what she had to say " Kara you worked hard to get where you are in the military today and you are one of, if not the best viper pilot the Academy has ever seen. It would be selfish if you gave that up and Starlight is young she won't even remember you and Lee not being here. I promise to keep her safe and show her pictures of you, Lee and her Poppy everyday and I will make sure she knows she is loved "
Kara once again had tears in her eyes " Thank you, but are we asking to much of you?"
Caroline reached and pulled her into a hug " No Kara, just the opposite you have given me my family back and I am honored that you trust me to take care of your daughter " Caroline chuckled " I can't wait for Bill to retire so Starlight and I both will have him with us. I want you to board the Pegasus and show Helena Cain how great of a pilot and officer you are and we will be here waiting for you when you get leave "
Caroline walked away " Let's take these plates to the table before it gets cold "
After eating Caroline ran them off saying she would clean up.
Kara and Lee once again bathed and dressed Starlight for bed.
Lee looked at Kara " I will put her down, why don't you go sit in the swing and I will meet you out there?"
Kara kissed her baby's cheek and walked out of Starlight's room and out to the front porch to wait on Lee knowing it could be a long time before they would get the chance to do it again.
After making sure Star was asleep, Lee went to the kitchen where his mom was sitting and drinking tea " Kara and I are going to sit in the swing for a while, I just need to grab a bottle of wine and two glasses, will you listen for Star? "
Caroline gave him a funny look " Yes, are you going to call her Star all the time now?"
Lee grinned " Probably or as long as she let's me and since she is only five months old I figure I have a few years for her to get used to it "
After Lee gathered what he needed he stopped by his mom and kissed her cheek " Thank you for everything you have done and everything you will do for us "
Caroline looked toward the porch " Your welcome, now go spend some time with your wife "
Kara was surprised when Lee came out with a bottle of wine and glasses and she stupidly asked " What's the occasion?"
Lee rolled his eyes as he walked over to her and sat down " Here hold the glasses while I open the wine "
Kara took the glasses and watched Lee " I figured since it was our last night here we deserved a few drinks, plus we haven't sat in the swing very often lately "
Kara held out the glasses while Lee poured them one each before setting the bottle safely away from the swing, and then he took one from Kara " Should we toast?"
Kara wasn't much for toasting, but " Here's to the fastest two years possible "
They drank to that and many more then started making out in the swing. Neither cared if anyone saw them, but Lee wanted her all to himself " Let's go to bed Kara we have a long night ahead of us "
Kara quickly jumped up smiling " Race you! "
Lee jumped up behind her " Hey, no fair " he laughed as he followed after her.
They fell into bed and started tearing each others clothes off, they both knew the first time would be frantic.
After that they slowed down and paced themselves and when they made love for the last time it was tender and beautiful and it left them both reeling with emotions.
Lee was close to crying, so he knew Kara would be also " I'll get dressed and go get Star "
Kara nodded looking away from him as tears ran down her face. She kept wondering how in the frak could she make it without seeing Lee and Starlight everyday. Kara couldn't stop the tears this time and gave up trying and let them flow as she sat in the middle of the bed after putting on one of Lee's shirts and her panties.
Lee stood over Star's crib a long time while tears rolled down his face. He wiped his face as best as he could with the bottom of his T-shirt and picked Star up gently trying not to wake her.
Lee stood outside their bedroom door for a moment and took a deep breath before entering. Lee was not expecting to find Kara sitting in the bed crying, so he walked across the room quickly and handed her Star and sat beside her rubbing her back.
Kara finally quit crying when Starlight opened her eyes and looked at her Mama " Hey baby girl, how would you like to sleep with Mama and Dada tonight?"
Lee scooted back and laid on his side as Kara placed Star between them before laying on her side, so they both could look at her.
They didn't speak another word as they all three drifted off to sleep.
Kara woke first and watched Lee and Starlight waiting for them to wake up. Which was Lee first as Starlight threw her arm onto his stomach causing him to open his eyes and immediately found Kara watching him.
Instead of waking Star up Lee and Kara got out of bed which for the first time was the hardest thing they had ever done.
Lee showered first and while he was putting on his dress blues Kara showered then she put on her dress blues.
They both went to sit on the bed waking Star up, by playing with her feet and placing kisses all over her causing her to finally open her eyes looking at each of them.
Kara picked her up " Come on baby girl we have to eat and get dressed, we have a big day today "
As Kara did that Lee went into the living room where his mom was asleep on the couch, he shook her shoulder gently " Mom you need to get up, we leave in about forty-five minutes "
Caroline groaned " It is still dark outside Lee "
Lee grinned " I know, but the military shuttles are leaving early, I'll make some coffee while you get dressed "
Caroline made up the couch when she got up before going to get dressed trying to stay strong for Kara and Lee today.
After she was ready she walked into the kitchen listening as Kara and Lee talked while Kara was feeding Starlight sitting at the small bar and Lee was going over a list standing across from her, as they both sipped their coffee.
Lee sat his cup down " Did you pack a sweat shirt Kara, because it gets cold on a battlestar?"
Kara looked away from Starlight to Lee " I have the same list you do Lee and yes I packed a sweat shirt "
Lee put his cup in the sink and went to sit beside Kara noticing his mom " Mom grab a cup of coffee we are leaving in ten minutes "
Lee noticed Star was only half-way through eating " Let me finish feeding her Kara while you enjoy your coffee "
Kara knew he wanted to spend some time with her, so she handed him the spoon and picked up her coffee and got up and started walking around the house looking at it one more time.
In ten minutes they were headed out the door and since Caroline also had a car seat they rode with her. They also rode with her because she would be taking Starlight back to her house tonight.
In no time at all they had reached the Space Port which was busy as everyone was heading out to their new postings today.
Their were six shuttles running today going to six different battlestars.
They were looking for Mike and Zak when Kara heard her name called by several people. First she heard someone shout " Starbuck wait up "
Kara stopped and watched as Showboat approached them " Hey Showboat, where are you being posted?"
Showboat looked around and saw Apollo, a little girl and an older woman " The Pegasus, what about you?"
Kara chuckled, she had gone through viper training with Showboat and they had gotten along good " Seems I am headed to the Pegasus also "
Kara decided she wasn't going to hide her life from anyone, she was proud of her family " Showboat this is Lee Adama my husband and our daughter Starlight and my mother in-law Caroline Adama, guys this is Marcie Case also known as Showboat "
Showboat laughed " Wow Starbuck, congratulations and I have heard about Apollo "
Lee stepped closer " What have you heard about me?"
Showboat glanced at Starbuck who nodded slightly " Um, you are the pilot whose records she broke at the Academy "
Caroline laughed " It is nice to meet you Marcie. It seems Kara kept Lee in his place even when she didn't know him "
Lee turned to his mom " Are you implying that she keeps me in place now mom?"
Caroline rolled her eyes " Do you really need me to answer that Lee?"
Showboat and Starbuck were laughing at Lee's mom when Kara heard someone shout " Kara "
Kara turned to see Helo trotting up " Where in the frak have you been?"
Kara gave him a look and he noticed other people standing near her, mainly an older woman " Sorry Ma'am "
Caroline laughed " It's okay, Kara frequently slips up and says it "
Helo turned back to Kara " Well are you going to answer me?"
Kara stalled " I am sorry for not getting back to you Helo, you already know Apollo and I are married, and this is Lee's mom Caroline Adama and our daughter Starlight?"
Helo gasped " You are a mom?"
Kara rolled her eyes " Yes Karl, I am a mom, what have you been doing?"
Helo looked at Apollo then his mom " I joined the Galactica right after graduation, what else have you been up to? "
Kara smile " Let's see, I took sniper training and then attended OCS and during that time Lee and I lived together while he finished War College "
Helo laughed after she finished " I still can't believe you married Apollo and that you are a mom, what in the twelve worlds has happened to Starbuck?"
Caroline chuckled clearly this was a side of Kara none of her friends had ever seen " I can assure you that it's all true, just ask your commander he will tell you himself "
Helo jumped on that " Okay I believe you, so does that mean you are coming to the Galactica?"
Showboat answered " Sorry she is coming with me to the Pegasus "
Helo stuck out his hand to Lee " It's nice to finally meet you after running into you at the bar briefly, where are you posted?"
Lee shook his hand " I will be on the Atlantia "
Zak and Mike walked up. Lee asked " Where have you two been "
Zak answered " This place is crowded in case you haven't noticed " he moved to take Starlight from his mom " Hey little lady, have you come to see Mama and Dada leave?"
Mike spoke up " So, who are these two Lee?"
Lee took Star from Zak " Ask Starbuck, they are her friends "
Kara hoped she didn't run into anyone else " Mike, this is Showboat and Helo, or Marcie and Karl depending on the day and guys Mike is my spotter and my partner from sniper school, he is also a marine and will be on the Pegasus "
Zak spotted someone coming their way " Lee why is she here?"
Lee turned around and saw Carter then turned back to Zak " She is not here for me "
Before Zak could ask who, Carter wrapped her arms around Mike.
Zak laughed " Are you frakking kidding me?"
Caroline coughed " Zak "
Zak frowned " Sorry mom "
Kara added " It is a long story Zak and yes I know what happened "
Helo heard the call for the Galactica shuttle " Kara write me, so we can keep in touch and I think it is great you have a family, you deserve one, more than anyone I know " he hugged her quickly before she could say anything.
They all stood there and talked until the next call came. Lee was walking around quietly talking to Star and holding her close. He heard the call for the Atlantia and quickly kissed Star on the forehead " Dada loves you Star, remember that " he handed her to Zak.
He looked up and caught Kara's eyes starting to water, he walked the three steps to get to her and pulled her into a hug holding on as tight as possible and whispered to her " I love you so much baby and will think about you everyday until we meet again, and Kara please be careful "
Kara silently cried as he whispered to her and then when he called her baby, she cried even more. Kara never thought words of endearment would mean much, but she realized right then that she liked him calling her that.
Kara turned to whisper to him " I love you too Lee and will miss you every single day until we meet again " Kara paused before saying something that might sound stupid, but she didn't care " Lee, I am afraid I won't be able to breathe without you or sleep without you, promise to call or write me as often as you can "
Lee sobbed " I feel the same way, but we have our photo books you made, so when we feel lonely we can look at them and remember all the best moments in our life " He didn't want to let her go, he looked over at his mom pleading for help with his eyes.
Caroline walked up and hugged them both before gently keeping a hand on Kara's arm " Good-bye son and remember I love you " she pulled on Kara " Kara you need to tell Starlight good-bye before your shuttle is called "
Lee backed away holding Kara's eyes as long as he could before he had to enter his shuttle.
Kara watched until the shuttle left and took Starlight from Zak walking away for some privacy " Mama and Dada love you baby girl and I promise to come see you as soon as I can " she held her out to look at her one last time then kissed her all over.
Kara heard the call for the Pegasus and walked over and hugged Zak, then handed him Starlight " Help your mom Zak, please "
Zak nodded " I will, I promise Kara "
Kara then walked to Caroline and fell into her open arms " Oh Caroline I am so afraid of being without them, please keep me in your prayers, keep us all in them and thank you for accepting me into your family, I love you Caroline " she tried to pull away, but Caroline held on.
Caroline pulled back and wiped her eyes then handed Kara something to wipe hers " You silly girl, you are the one who gave me my family back and for that I thank you, and Kara be careful, please "
When Kara turned Mike and Showboat were standing there with Mike holding her duffel " We thought we would board with you "
Kara glanced back once more to see Zak, Caroline and her baby girl standing there, then she looked forward and tried hard to pull Starbuck back out from where she had left her. " Thanks " she said as she grabbed her duffel.
Caroline waited until she could no longer see Kara's shuttle while she held Starlight " We will see them soon Star"
Zak was listening to Carter who was telling him what happened at the club. Lee was lucky he didn't lose everything that night. Then he thought about it and knew that Hades himself couldn't tear those two apart. He hoped to find that kind of love one day.
Zak saw his mom coming and told Carter bye and went to catch up to his mom " Zak would you mind driving us home, I don't think my mind will be on driving "
Zak knew this was one of those things he needed to do for his family.
THE END-I hope you enjoyed this story and thanks to all thos who read it.
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