Blown away by her dazzling smile, Kara re-shuffled herself back into the seat.

"Hey" was all she could manage to choke out, half tempted to keep the peaceful silence she found herself swimming in, half tempted to talk a mile a minute about anything and everything.

And why did I want to walk away from this? This meaning the presence of a beautiful brunette absolutely happy to see me, me as in Kara Thrace. Not as in the awkward, slightly ashamed and oddly bizarre feeling in the pit of my stomach mere seconds ago. This ones for the record books.

Cally on the other hand wasn't as torn. She wanted to bask in the glow of the moment where she woke to find one Kara Thrace in her presence. How she wished this could be an everyday occurrence. Minus the gun shot wound and hospital setting of course. But the cold hard reality prevented her fantasy. Or at least that's what she thought.

She would never be interested in me. She spends all her time with the boys, always with them unless she's with me and her viper. Sometimes I think she's just there to see me, but other times I'm not as sure.

Shaking the last of the cobwebs from her mind, Cally gave a soft 'hey' in response before a blush set full blown across her face.

'Adorable'

Smiling like two fools in love, neither noticed Dr. Cottle standing in the doorway. It wasn't until he cleared his throat and moved swiftly into the room that either noticed. This caused Cally to redden an extra three to four shades and bite on her bottom lip. Kara however, had once again felt like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Dr. Cottle" Kara said rather formally as she stood from her chair.

Gods, he must think I'm some strange wack-job smiling like a psycho, but at least I wasn't the only one. And fluttering and slightly light-headed experience is back again, gods I wished it stopped.

As he moved further into the room and begun to check the IV attached to the specialist arm, the Lieutenant moved to the outskirts of the room, ready to say goodbye to the brunette and let the doctor do his job. It wasn't until she went to say goodbye that it happened again.

Cally for her part had settle down, no longer sporting a reddened face as she grew more comfortable under the doctors knowing looks and Kara's awkwardness. However, she could not hide the displeased and saddened look that came across her features as she noticed Kara moving further away.

"Stay"

It was a small and barely audible command but she listened. How could she not? This girl lying in front of her meant everything to her. She didn't think there wasn't anything that she wouldn't do for her.

Moving back into the room, the Lieutenant decided to move closer to the bed rather than the previously occupied chair sitting not far away form her.

Wow, she actually listened. I wonder what would happen if I told her to sit. Would she go sit on the chair or on my bed?

Clearing her suddenly dry throat and bringing Cally out of her trance, Kara had to ask; "how she doing doctor?"

Smirking in reply, Dr. Cottle moved to check the monitors attached to his patient before responding to the anxious viper pilot not known for standing still and waiting patiently. He couldn't help but think of the talk he had with the Commander mere minutes before he broke the trance in the room and Adama had left his side.

Letting out a chuckle he realised why he had chosen to walk away rather than confront the two girls. Kara was on edge, that he was certain of. And despite having minimal contact with her, he knew he had to choose his words carefully in case she bit off his head or something similar.

""Commander" the doctor greeted rather warmly. He had just gotten out of his bunker to be greeted by a few of the crew and William Adama. This was a rear treat he knew. It was not something that happened all too often unless for formal discussions held within the corridor walls when no one partly hoped to catch the other without being conspicuous.

"Dr. Cottle" came the reply. It was clear and demanding like always but under the surface tone there was a sense of wavering. This caused the doctor to be on edge. The commander always sounded sure of himself no matter the situation.

Moving to walk in formation to Cally's quarter's in the doctor's medical bay, the duo fell into step. Dr. Cottle wasn't sure if there would be a long silence but knew that if something needed to be said the commander would cut to the chase.

"How's specialist Cally doing doctor?" he asked after a pregnant pause.

"The bullet caused a bit of damage but not too much" he responded before adding, "she will be back on her feet soon enough. That girl is determined"

Sharing a smile neither men knew what to add the closer they got to the girl in question. But Adama knew he had to say something.

"Doctor" he said, causing both men to stop just before entering the room but far enough out of earshot from the two occupants, not that either would notice as Cally had just started to wake from her slumber. As the doctor raised his white eyebrow, Adama continued; "Cally's a strong girl and I know she'll pull through"

"Is there a problem then?" he asked, knowing there was more to be said.

"Starbuck is in there" was the curt reply but with the doctors blank stare he knew that he needed to give a better waring of sorts. He was actually surprised by this, he was sure by now that everyone, civilian or not, would know to stay out of the Lieutenants way. Maybe he should make an announcement later, he chucked at this. "it seems that over the past couple of months Lieutenant Thrace has developed a protective streak, I guess you could say. When it comes to out specialist"

"I will not be threatened. She must know that I'm just trying to help" it was nearly a plea and they both knew it. It wasn't the first tie the commander had heard it in reference to Kara.

"I'm just warning you doctor" he smirked, "choose your words carefully. Kara feels something for Cally, not that she'll do something just yet, but don't burst their bubble. It wont end well"

With that he turned and went back to his job, leaving the doctor to think and reflect. It wasn't until he looked into the room that he realised how right the commander was.

'Let's hope they get a push' he thought before clearing his throat.

[if you like it, let me know]