A/N: Hi guys! Thanks for your reviews, Anke, I was very happy… Here is another part, Starbuck safely back on the Galactica… or not so safe? evil grin

It did though until he reached the stairs where he found two cylons keeping watch. He pressed flat against the wall, breathing shallow. He took a few of the small stones he always kept in his pocket and threw them a little backwards. He knew the cylons well enough to know that one of them would keep looking what had made the noise and the other one would stay behind. That happened indeed, Apollo just had to wait until the cylon had approached near enough. He quickly shot, whirling around to receive the other enemy taking him down as quickly as the first one. Hurrying down the stairs he looked for Starbuck. In the first cells were a few disobedient cylons and he grew slightly impatient until he found Starbuck. His friend was bound by his wrists and ankles and his head slumped on his chest. His face bore bruises and he could see his arm was broken. The cylons had learned much about torturing humans and it made Apollo sick to think about what Starbuck had had to endure. The Captain's heart ached, a lump formed in his throat and he quickly took the keys he'd taken from the cylon and opened the cell. Rushing in he freed the blonde from his bonds catching him in his arms when he sank limb against his shoulders. Apollo laid Starbuck down gently before he cut the bonds on his ankles. Once he was done he checked the blonde's body from head to toe for injuries, very relieved when he only found minor one's. Then he knelt down, propping the Lieutenant up against his arm. He had to wake him up, otherwise they wouldn't make it out of here.

"Star, wake up, please!"

Apollo pleaded softly. In response Starbuck's eyelids fluttered for a few microns before he managed to open them.

"'Pol?"

He whispered unbelievingly, reaching out to caress his mate's face. Apollo smiled.

"Yes, it's me. I'm gonna get us out of here. Do you think you can walk?"

Starbuck nodded bravely. Maybe not very well or quick, but he would not stay here and die. Not with Apollo coming for his rescue. The Captain helped him up and he leaned heavily on him. They proceeded slowly out of the cell and left the area. The two moved like shadows, a well-rehearsed team, no words were spoken and gestures rarely needed. Right at the entry they had an encounter with three cylons, but despite that they made it safely outside, where they disappeared into the woods unseen. Only a centon later the cylon patrol came back without having found anything.

Apollo supported Starbuck as good as he could, but they were still very slow, too slow, it depended on their luck if they would reach the Galactica again. Both were covered with sweat when they finally made it to their shuttle. The Captain quickly undid the cover of it and helped his friend inside. Starbuck sat down, his eyes half-closed, breathing heavily, all in all a picture of sheer exhaustion. Apollo fetched a blanket from the emergency bag, strapped his friend and covered him gently. The Lieutenant thanked him with a smile, too weak to speak. Taking his seat Apollo started the shuttle and took off leaving the planet behind.

After the start the Captain put it on autopilot and took further care of Starbuck. By the look of his chapped lips Starbuck was dehydrated. Of course, cylons weren't very hospitable… He slowly made him drink as much water as he could without choking. It was the only thing he could do until they reached the Galactica… if they did. Their only chance was that she had slowed down to allow them to catch up. Apollo held on to that thought knowing his father wasn't going to let them down so easily. Except if something unexpected had happened… He tried to keep from showing his anxiety, but with Starbuck he could've spared it, even though it would have worked on anybody else. Their connection was just too deep to fool his friend. Determined to find out what worried his friend Starbuck straightened up looking intensely at him, his eyes saying: "Spill it!" Apollo gave in to that wordless request sighing.

"It is unsure if we have enough fuel to reach the Galactica."

He kept his voice neutral and the blonde's reaction was calm.

"How are our chances?"

"Bad, 10 : 1 against us depending on the computer."

A forced grin appeared on Starbuck's face.

"They were often worse, remember?"

Apollo did indeed, every single one of them, every crash, every captivity, every fight, every dangerous mission they had completed and every injury Starbuck or he himself had ever sustained.

Finally they were within communication range of the fleet.

"Galactica, come in please. This is Captain Apollo and Lieutenant Starbuck."

Apollo didn't dare to hope his call had been heard, but after a few microns of silence he heard his father's voice clearly.

"Apollo? Did everything go right?"

"Yes, we're both fine. But we're running out of fuel. Could you slow down?"

"Sure. It'll be 15 centons till you reach us."

Apollo looked at his fuel display.

"That should be okay. How's the Galactica? Any damage?"

"Nothing that can't be repaired. We were lucky. Apollo, I need to go, see you soon!"

"Bye!"

Starbuck and Apollo were relieved to hear everything was fine, even though neither had spoken of it they had both been very worried. They smiled at each other, a little more relaxed than before.

Exactly 13 centons later Apollo took the shuttle gently down on the Galactica. After he'd stepped out he had been almost swept off his feet by a joyous Boxey. Wrapping his arms around him he whirled him through the air forcing a smile on his tired face. Now he allowed himself to breathe a sigh of relief. Against all odds he had gotten his Starbuck back and was safely back home. Adama didn't show much of emotion when he greeted them, only his eyes gave away how glad he really was. He briefly touched Apollo's arm und threw a glance at the Lieutenant nodding.

"Welcome back home. Starbuck, I take it you want to go see Dr. Salick to let your wounds get treated. Apollo, go with him and get checked up yourself. Then rest until tomorrow, then I expect your report."

„Thank you, father."

Dr. Salick quickly fixed Starbucks arm and healed his bruises. The cuts on his forehead and arm were disinfected. Due to some medical substance they closed quickly, the pain fading. Having finished Starbuck, the doctor turned to Apollo who was slightly nervous. He hated medical examinations, they reminded him of too many things he did not want to think of. The blonde knew this, he recognized the signs that Apollo was brooding again and walked over to his side, taking his hand in his silently. He was rewarded with a bright smile, a smile that expressed gratefulness and love. It didn't take long to check the Captain who was uninjured. After he'd taken blood samples Salick dismissed them.

They headed to Apollo's quarters without talking, their deep connection once more made it unnecessary. Both were tired to the bone not having slept for such a long time. The brunette collapsed onto the bed feeling Starbuck curling up beside him. Since their first night together Apollo had known the blonde was a snuggler. It was something he enjoyed, a sign that his friend trusted him enough to reveal to him his need for familiarity instead of playing the smart, tough Lieutenant he showed to everyone else. Apollo knew Starbuck well enough to be able to tell how insecure he was sometimes.

Both slept for centars allowing their bodies to rest and regain much needed strength. The brunette woke up seeing Starbuck gazing and smiling at him.

"Thanks, 'Pol. I knew you would come."

Apollo looked intensely into his eyes.

"Always. Remember that promise we gave each other? I'd never break it."

"I know. I wouldn't, too… Never."

Both remembered that promise vividly.

Flashback

Apollo awoke in the middle of the night feeling Starbuck tossing and turning in his arms. Barely understandable words were spoken, the brunette could only make out "NO!" and a desperate cry for help. He gently touched Starbuck's shoulder to wake him up. The blonde's eyes were full of fright and despair, his forehead sweaty. As soon as he was fully awake he reached out clinging to his lover as if he never wanted to let go. Apollo held him tightly reassuring him and inquiring softly about the dream.

"Balthar had captured you… He…"

Starbuck closed his eyes fighting to chase away the pictures, which still haunted him.

"He tortured you to force you to tell him all about the Galactica We wanted to free you, but we were too late… He had just k-killed you when we arrived. I just c-couldn't save you…"

Starbuck snuggled even closer letting Apollo's body warmth chase away the coldness this thought had sent through his veins.

"It won't happen. We'll always be there for each other, we'll always save each other, no matter what."

"Promise?"

The brunette didn't hesitate for a moment.

"Yes!"

To make sure he was understood he leaned forward giving Starbuck a long, passionate kiss.

"I promise, too."

Hot breath tickled Apollo's neck making him shudder with pleasure. He grinned, knowing it was done with a certain intention. Starbuck's hands slid under his shirt lovingly caressing his chest before they traveled downwards to drive him wild. The brunette felt his need arising immediately and soon they were stripped, pleasing each other like only they could.

Flashback End

To strengthen Starbuck's memories of that night Apollo kissed him as passionately as he had done then. Once again the blonde was playing with him, teasing him. But two could play that game… It took a long time until they went back to sleep.

The next morning Apollo woke up when Starbuck violently threw up.

"Star?" He called

A weak sound of acknowledgement came from the turboflush. At once he was up hurrying to his friend's side. Starbuck leaned heavily against a wall, his breath ragged, his eyes closed, his face pale. Right the moment the brunette reached him he collapsed and was just caught before he hit the ground.

Anxiously Apollo carried him to Dr. Salick after he'd checked his life-signs. He paced the corridor in agitation till the Doc had finished. With a concerned look on his face he turned to Adama who had arrived by now and the Captain.

"I'm afraid I can't do very much. This sickness is called "Mystica", because no one ever found out anything about it, let alone a cure. I can only speculate the Lieutenant ate or drank something on this planet, which infected him."

He hemmed and hawed for a micron. Then he continued:

"Captain, I have to ask you this: Did you have any physical contact with Starbuck tonight?"

Apollo only nodded, guessing where this was leading.

"Then you might be infected, too. I need a blood sample to check it out. As long as you're not cleared you remain here in quarantine."

"Okay."

He guided him to a bed where he was to stay for that time. Adama said goodbye to them.

"Apollo, I hope by God that you're not infected…"