A/N: I'm trying to make up for lost time so here is another chapter. Take care and Happy Reading!!!!
"I have that toaster in my sights. Firing." Lee said.
He fired his missile at the Cyclon raider and watched it explode into a million pieces in front him. Lee moved on taking out each Cylon as fast as he could. He was moving like a man with mission
There were only two more left and they were proving to be harder targets then the rest.
"Starbuck, you take the one on the left. I'll take the one on the right. Let's put these frakers to rest." Lee said.
"Lee, we should stick together. We can take them out faster if we take them out one at a time." Starbuck said.
"No. We need to clear the area now before the Cyclons come back for another pass. Trust me on this Kara. We can take them out faster if we split up." Lee said.
"I'm on it. Just watch your six Lee. These two are much faster than the other ones." Starbuck said.
"Roger that." Lee said.
Starbuck headed towards her target while Lee broke right towards his.
Back on the Galactica Dee stood in front of the Dradis screen watching Lee and Starbuck fly back and forth across the screen. She wished that Lee would have for once listened to Starbuck. He was always to quick to go where angels fear to tread when he was in fighter pilot mode. Dee silently prayed to the gods for them to watch over Lee but her prayers were too late.
"Oh dear gods! Lee! Lee!" Dee yelled.
The sounds of screams woke Dee up out of her sleep. At first she tried to figure out where the screams where coming from but the look on her husband's face let her know that the screams she heard were hers.
Dee looked around the room and noticed that she was no longer in CIC and had somehow made it to sick bay. The last thing she remembered was a sharp pain then black. At first the black she slipped into was comforting because it was painless and void of anything else. Then the black void turned on her and exchanged one pain for another. It unlocked the door to her dreams and reopened the old wounds that her dreams caused her heart and soul.
Lee stroked his wife's head as he hushed her sobs. He wished the gods would let him trade places with his wife. He wanted to take this pain away from Dee and shoulder the strain this was putting on her body.
Cottle walked in the room with Dee's chart under his arm along with a pitcher and cup in his other hand.
"I don't have to be genius to know that you had a nightmare while you were out. I could hear the screams down the hall." Cottle said.
"How could this happen? I've been taking the nuerotin everyday like you said. Why is this happening again?" Dee said.
"That's what were going to find out. I have a theory but I need to do an ultrasound and blood work to confirm my suspicions. Are you having any pain now?" Cottle said.
"A little. My head and my back hurts a little." Dee said,
"I'll have the nurse get you something for that. Did you go to the bathroom this morning?" Cottle asked.
"Yes." Dee said.
"I figured. This is for you then." Cottle said placing a water pitcher and cup on the table.
"A pitcher?" Lee asked.
"Very astute Major. Yes it's a pitcher and it's filled with water. You young lady have to drink that pitcher and two more after that until your bladder is nice and full." Cottle said.
"Why?" Dee asked.
"A full bladder gives a better picture on the ultrasound machine and because I said so that's why. Now drink up. The nurse will be in here shortly to take your blood. When your all full tell the nurse and I'll come back so we can start." Cottle said.
Dee reluctantly nodded then poured the first of many cups of water to drink.
Cottle walked of the room and didn't notice Lee was right behind him.
"Doc! Doc wait up." Lee said.
"What is it Major?" Cottle asked.
"You said you have a theory? What is it?" Lee said.
Cottle huffed in frustration. He hated when people rushed him for an answer. Answers to questions that he was still asking himself.
"Major, do you read books?" Cottle asked.
"Do I read books? What does that have to do with anything?"Lee asked.
"Well Major there are two types of readers. Ones that read the beginning of the book then get too impatient and skip right to then end because they need to know how it all ends. Then there are those that read the whole book getting the full picture so to speak of the book. Now when it comes to your wife which reader should I be? Should I be the reader that skips ahead and make a diagnosis right here and now so that my patients husband feels better or should I be the one that reads the book all the through so I'm then able to make a well thought out diagnosis?" Cottle said.
"The latter. Look Doc, I understand what you are saying but if our roles were reversed you would want some answer too. Any answers right now would do. I'm so frustrated right now that I'm about to order the strike team to be on standby. I don't like seeing my wife in pain and not being able to help her is driving me insane." Lee said.
"Major, if I had the answers I would give them to you. I really would. The problems is your wife's pregnancy is a little different than the ones I dealt with and I need to find out a little more before I make any decisions about what to do next for her. So just do me a favor and give me the time I need to solve this puzzle. Ok?" Cottle said.
"Ok." Lee said.
"Good. Now if you will excuse me I need to go to CIC." Cottle said.
"CIC? For what?" Lee said.
"You still haven't heard from the Thera Sita have you?"Cottle asked.
"No. They refuse to answer any hails from us."Lee said.
"Yeah well that stops today. If I'm right Dee will need their help more than ever so this no answering us stops now." Cottle said.
"What are you going to do?" Lee said.
"Let them know Karma's come to collect." Cottle said.
"What?" Lee asked not following.
"Just go back to your wife Major and make sure she drinks all that water. I'll be back. No calling the strike team while I'm gone." Cottle said then turned and left.
"Any word from them yet Mr. Gaeta?" a gruff voice said.
Gaeta turned around to the find the Admiral standing behind him.
"No sir. Not a word." Gaeta said.
"Keep trying." Adama said.
"You gimme the word Bill and I'll have a team of marines ready to go over and get those fraggers to talk." Tighe said.
"I appreciate the offer Saul but the answer is still no. I had to tell Starbuck that three times before she got the clue to stop asking." Adama said.
"I don't know how you do it Bill. If it were my grand kid's life on the line I don't think I wouldn't be able to keep my cool for as long as you have." Tighe said.
Adama stepped closer to his friend of over twenty years and spoke low enough so no one else could hear him.
"The cool you see is just a facade Saul. I'm really worried for my son and his family."Adama said.
"I know you are Bill. Anyone in your place would be. Gods, can those two get a break?"Tighe said.
"You know what scares me the most? I don't know what Lee would do if he lost Dee and the baby. I know Lee knows loss. As an officer he's seen people die before. Many under his command as CAG. I haven't told him as much but he's handles them very well. Much better than I thought he would." Adama said.
"Well we've all experienced loss on this journey Bill. Some more than others." Tighe said.
"That's more then true. The loss I'm talking about goes much deeper than that of a comrade or shipmate. The loss I'm referring to is that of a loved one like wife or.." Adama couldn't finish his sentence so Tighe did it for him.
"A child, Bill?" Tighe asked.
"Yeah. That kinda loss just sticks with you for a long time. When someone that important to you is taken away before their time it takes a long time to heal. The wound never truly closes and when it's reopened by the occasional memory,the pain rushes back in like and the heartbreak starts all over again and hurts even worse. You and I know that loss all too well don't we my friend. There are many things I want to pass on to Lee but the loss of a child is not one of them. I don't want him to have the same pain I feel everyday at the loss of Zach or you with Ellen. The same goes for Dee. I don't want her to know what it's like to lose a child or a husband to the unseen forces of the universe." Adama said.
"You know anything about what's really going on with Dee?" Tighe asked. He had been meaning to ask for months now about what was going on and get the full story but something always came up and the conversation kept getting put off.
"Yes, they came and told me about it the day they found out Dee was pregnant. She's having these nightmares that are being caused by her pregnancy." Adama said.
"What the hell kinda dreams is she havin'? I still don't understand this whole thing." Tighe asked.
"The kind that involve Lee dying in his Viper. From what Lee told me the nightmares were getting really bad causing her not to eat or drink. He thought she was going to losing her mind for while until Cottle put her on some medication that stopped them for now." Adama said.
"And the Thera Sita? How do they fall in here?" Tighe asked.
"Cottle says there is someone on board there that can help Dee and that's why we have been exhausting every effort to raise them. Look Saul, I want to apologize for not giving you the full story about what's going on with Dee. I should have told my XO and my best friend about this from the beginning and not make it seem like I was hiding things from him." Adama said.
Tighe waived off Adama and placed a hand on his shoulder. "There's nothing to apologize for Bill. You told me when you needed too. And it's more of a family matter anyway. Nobodies business." Tighe said.
"It is your business Saul. Your family." Adama said.
Tighe felt himself start to choke up from those words. "Same here Bill." was all he was able to get out. Tighe then looked around the room and saw that some of the crew had caught the tender moment between the two men.
"What are you people looking at? Turn around and get back to your duties." Tighe said.
"Keep up that yelling and you'll be down in sick bay with a higher blood pressure then you already got."
Adama and Tighe turned around and saw Doc Cottle walking towards them.
"What are you doing here? I thought you hated coming out of your office?" Tighe said shaking Cottle's hand.
"I do but every once and a while I venture out. Today is just one of those days." Cottle said reaching out to shake the Admiral's hand.
"I suspect there's more to your visit than you're letting on." Adama said.
"You would be right Admiral. I'm here to try an' reach the Thera Sita." Cottle said.
"Good luck. We've been trying to get them to talk to us for months now and they refuse to answer us." Tighe said.
"I know. I didn't think they would ignore us for this long. I hoped that they would've tried to be reasonable but I should have known better. With your permission Admiral I would like to give it a try." Cottle said.
"They aren't gonna talk to you. Unless you know some magic word we don't." Tighe said.
"I think I know a few. What do you say Admiral?" Cottle asked.
"Permission granted. Mr. Gaeta please assist the Doctor." Adama said.
"Yes sir." Gaeta said.
President Roslin greeted Doc Cottle then moved away so Cottle could take over. She walked over to where Adama and Tighe were watching Gaeta explain to Cottle how to contact the Thera Sita.
"What's Cottle doing here?" Laura said.
"He's apparently got some way to make the Thera Sita talk to us." Adama said.
"Really? This I gotta see." Laura said.
"Ready when you are sir." Gaeta said.
"Good. Thank you Mr Gaeta." Cottle said.
Cottle took a deep breath and centered himself mentally before he started. He knew he was about to reveal apart of his past that he never talked about to most of the crew but if he was to save his patients life then this was what he had to do.
"Galactica to Thera Sita come in. Galactica to Thera Sita come in. Thera Sita this is Doctor Cottle. I have a young lady who is pregnant and a fellow Sagittaron that needs your help. Please come in." Cottle said.
Cottle waited for moment then looked to Gaeta to see if they were responding.
"Nothing sir." Gaeta said softly.
That's it. Cottle said to himself. He was sick of all this pussy footing around. He was never one for diplomacy so now it was going right out the frack'n airlock with his temper.
"I know you can hear me. You're all good listeners. Every single one of you. So I know that someone has been listening to us for the past five months begging and pleading for your help. Yet everyday you sit there and act like we're not there. Just some random radio static that won't stop. But that's not the first time you all sat back and did nothing when others asked you for help is it? You people are famous for just sitting back on your asses and doing nothing in a time of crisis. You just bury your heads in the sand till the dangers over and then move on like nothing ever happened. I know that part of you all too well because I've seen it first hand. You see, I was there during what you people call the "time of loss". I bet I got your attention now. I remember what you people did to your own. And I remember the courage of the ones who stood up to your ignorant ways and wouldn't let you just turn a deaf ear to their cries. Well karma's a bitch because now that time has come back. I have a young lady on board who needs your help. She needs the help of a Shaman so she doesn't end up like the others did so many years ago. So who ever is listening to this, you tell your Shamon, that the women of the Shanova province sent me and they will not let this woman and her child suffer! She has their protection and if you do not want their wrath you will help her to stop these gods damn dreams and end the time of loss! And just in case you think I'm lying about my being there tell your Shamon the only survivor of that time was a baby girl and that her mother went by the name Angel. We'll be waiting for your response. Galactica out." Cottle said.
Cottle hoped he was doing the right thing by shaming these people into helping by airing their dirty little secrets. What other choice did he have? They left him no other options. Now that he said his peace all he wanted to do right now was get to his office and have a nice stiff drink from one of his special glasses but he still had a patient to deal with and most likely questions from a wondering Admiral and President. He walked over to them and could already see the questing looks on their faces.
"I know you all want to know more but now is not the time. I need to get back to Dee. I promise sir that I will go into more depth about what I just said. Permission to leave sir?" Cottle said.
"Permission granted. And I can't wait to have that talk Doctor." Adama said.
"Yes sir." Cottle said then turned to leave CIC.
Tighe looked over to the Admiral and could see that something about what he just heard was bothering him.
"I know that look Bill. What's on your mind?" Tighe said.
"Something he said about the Shanova province." Adama said.
"Yeah, what about it?" Tighe said.
"I have to check on something but I know I've read something recently about the Shanova province. If you'll excuse I need to check and see if I'm right. I'll be in my office if you need me. Madam President, Colonel."Adama said.
"I have to return to Colonial One anyway. If you need me just call." Laura said.
"I'll escort you to the hanger ma'am. Helo your in command until I return." Tighe said.
"Yes sir." Karl said.
Back down in sick bay Dee's bladder felt like it was going to burst. She didn't know how long she was going to be able to hold all that water in. She told herself that if Cottle was not back in two minutes she was just going to pee the bed and be done with it all.
"Where is he?" Dee said.
"He said he'd be right back. Just hang in there." Lee said.
"Easy for you to say. Your bladders not filled to capacity." Dee said.
"You and junior just hang in there." Lee said.
"We don't know if it's a junior yet." Dee said.
"That's a boy in there. I don't need a machine to tell me that." Lee said.
"Hate to tell ya Major but you're wrong. This is a girl." Dee said pointing to her stomach.
"We'll see. I have a sense about these thing." Lee said.
"Uh huh." Dee said.
"Shut up and give me a kiss." Lee said.
Lee bent over and gave his wife a kiss on the lips. How he loved those soft lips of hers. It was times like this that made him remember how stupid he was for wasting time with Kara and all the other woman in his life. He should have known that Starbuck wasn't a good match for him. They were too much alike. They both needed to be in control and neither one knew how to give it up willingly. No, Kara was meant to be his friend. Not just any friend but his best friend. The kind that kicks some sense into when you need it and never was afraid to tell when you your wrong. If there was one thing about Kara he knew for sure, it was that she was not afraid to be blunt. No matter what the situation, or how many people were in the room, or even if you didn't ask for her advice, if Kara Thrace had something to say she was going to let you know in her subtle way. And Gods help you if she didn't like you cause then you were fraked.
Lee was just glad that Kara and Dee had found a middle ground when it came to him. They usually couldn't stand to be in the same room with each other but since Dee's pregnancy Kara has shown a rarely seen softer side. It was nice to see Kara making an effort at being nice to Dee and possible taking the first steps at healing some of the old wounds between the two. Lee even found Kara one day talking to Dee's belly and telling the baby to hurry up so Auntie Kara could teach them how to fly because their dad had no clue what true flying really was. It was one of the craziest things he had ever seen.
"Let's get this started shall we." Cottle said walking back in the room.
A med tech was right behind Cottle wheeling in the ultrasound machine. As soon as it was set up Cottle took a seat near Dee and instructed her how he wanted to lay so he could get a good picture of the baby.
"Major you might wanna get on the other side of the bed so you can enjoy the show better. Now Dee I'm going to put this goo on your belly. I had the tech's put it in the warmer so it wouldn't be so cold on you. Believe me when I tell you that a full bladder and cold goo don't go well together. Ok, let's see what's going inside of there." Cottle said.
Dee watched as Cottle squirted the warm blue goo on her stomach then spread it around with the devise in his hand.
"Now Dee there will be little pressure but not too much. You just let me know if it hurts." Cottle said.
Dee nodded. She felt Lee slip his hand in to hers and they both watched as Cottle started his scan. At first they didn't know what they were looking at. Everything looked the same. All black and white. It was like static all over the screen. Then there was something. They both couldn't quite make it out but they knew it was something.
Cottle turned to the couple and saw the look on their faces. He let out a small chuckle.
"Mr and Mrs Adama, I'd like to introduce you to your baby." Cottle said.
Lee got all chocked up at the site of his child. "Hi." was all that squeaked out.
"So you are the one that's been kicking and punching up a storm huh?" Dee said.
Cottle went on and pointed out where the arms and legs where and that their baby had a strong heart beat.
"So, do you want to know what you are having?" Cottle asked.
"Yes!" both Lee and Dee said.
"Well let's take a look here." Cottle said.
He looked back at the screen and saw the baby had turned around so he was going to have to try and get the baby to turn back around if they were going to find out what the sex was. Cottle started pressing a little hard on Dee's stomach to get the baby to move. The baby was little stubborn at first but then it started to turn giving Cottle a glimpse of something he had missed before.
"Well I'll be damned." Cottle said out loud.
"What? What's wrong?" Lee asked.
"Is the baby ok?" Dee asked.
"Hold on you two I have to check something." Cottle said.
Lee felt Dee's grip tighten and he kissed her head and whispered that everything will be alright.
Dee watched as Cottle pressed more buttons on the machine then pressed her belly again while moving the wand around her bell. She saw a smile on Cottle's face then watched as he punched some more buttons on the machine. He then turned the screen towards them so they could see better.
"What's wrong Doc?" Lee asked.
"Well it depends on how you look at it." Cottle said.
"How you look at what?" Dee asked.
"Yes. Whether you want one baby.... or two?" Cottle said.
"Twins?" Lee asked.
"Yup. Twins. I almost missed the little guy because he was hiding behind baby number one but I did another check and sure enough there he was."Cottle said.
"I knew it was a boy. We're having twin boys." Lee said.
"Wow. I didn't think I was having a boy. I really thought I was having a girl." Dee said.
"Well you're both right. Your having a boy and a girl. A big girl by the way. She already looks like she out weighs her brother by a couple of ounces." Cottle said.
"So she's a little piggy." Lee said.
"It looks like it." Dee said.
Cottle didn't want to ruin the young couple's excitement but he needed to be serious for moment.
"I hate to break up this moment for you two but we need to be serious for a second. I think I can safely say that having the added stress on your body by caring two babies is why the neurotin didn't block out having that last dream." Cottle said.
"So what do we do?" Lee asked.
"We keep Dee on the same treatment but up the dosage. The problem is that we can't keep you on the dosage for a long period of time with out harming you or the babies." Cottle said.
"I thought you said the neurotin wouldn't harm the baby?" Dee said.
"Yes, I did but having two babies changes things. Your body won't be able to filter most of the medicine like it could when there was one baby." Cottle said.
"So how long do we have?" Lee asked.
"Not long. Less then a month." Cottle said.
Lee looked at his wife and she looked so numb. Her eyes were glossy and tears started to come down. He reached over and pulled his wife into an embrace. In his arms he felt Dee shake from her sobs. He hated this. Once again the rug was pulled out from under her and there was nothing Lee could do. Then he thought about Thera Sita.
"What about the Thera Sita?" Lee asked.
"What about them Lee? They aren't going to answer." Dee said. Her voice low and full of defeat.
"Don't be too sure. I spoke to them myself today and although they didn't answer me either I pulled a card from under my sleeve that may help us out." Cottle said.
"What was it?" Dee asked.
"Don't you worry about what it was. Just hope that it worked. All I want you to do is rest. I'm sure you don't want to sleep here so I'll release you if you promise to go back to your quarters and relax and get something to eat." Cottle said.
"I promise." Dee said.
"Good. Now here's a towel to wipe that goo off. Once your done your free to leave and pee. And Dee, try not worry. I know it's easier said then done but try any way." Cottle said.
While Lee and Dee were cleaning up Cottle went into his office and closed the door behind him. He took a seat at his desk and pulled open the draw and took out his favorite glass and bottle of whiskey. Once the whiskey was in the glass he pulled out the picture of his Angel.
"Well baby, the ball's now in their court. I just hope what I said got through to them." Cottle said.
Back in CIC Gaeta was just about to get relieved by the on coming shift when he heard a signal coming through.
"Colonel! Colonel!" Gaeta yelled.
"What is it Mr Gaeta?" Colonel Tighe asked.
"It's the Thera Sita. They are hailing us." Gaeta said.
"Well answer them." Tighe said excitedly.
Gaeta nodded and transmitted to the Thera Sita.
"Copy that. Galactica out." Gaeta said.
"That was short. But then again it doesn't take long to say no." Tighe said.
"That's just it sir. It wasn't a no. They advised they will send their Shamon here tomorrow. There going to help sir." Gaeta said happily.
"It's about damn time. Make sure that the happy couple knows and I'll go inform the Admiral. Also make sure Doc Cottle knows. Helo, my shift is over. You got command." Tighe said.
"Yes sir." Karl said.
Thank the gods, Tighe thought to himself. Finally some good news.