Bright, Shiny Futures - Chapter Seven

Laura Roslin huffed out loud, finally catching the attention of Adama who was pacing the length of the hotel room. He stopped and looked at her.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?"

"I think I said 'hmph'."

He pondered it for a moment. "And that's supposed to mean ...?"

She stood and walked over to him. "Sit down and relax Bill. You're pacing like a mother hen." She laid a hand on his arm. "I know you're worried but I'm sure Lee will be okay. He's a big boy, he can take care of himself."

"Yeah I know. He's very self-sufficient and has a will of iron at times ... except when it comes to Kara. He always turns into a puddle of goo around her."

Roslin smiled. "For someone who was so unpleasant and abrasive, she sure had a magnetic affect on people. Even people who couldn't stand her were drawn to her."

Adama smiled in spite of the nervousness in the pit of his stomach. "That's what I'm afraid of. Lee has been pining over her all these years, despite his show of having moved on, and I know he's going to get his heart broken again. I don't blame Kara," he went on, as she began to protest, "it was a tough situation to be in. I think many in her place would have done what she did. But Lee is still in love with her, that much is clear, and he's helplessly drawn to her like a moth to the flame."

"Even though he gets burned every time he gets too close," Roslin threw in.

"Every time," Adama nodded. "You'd think he'd learn."

"Men never do," she said softly, the smile on her face coming through in the warmth of her words.

"He rounded on her. "Now what's that supposed to mean?" He pretended anger. "You're not referring to me are you?"

She nodded. "You've been married twice already and you're thinking about doing it a third time. You'd think after the second time it didn't work out you'd quit."

"That was hardly our fault," he said quickly, a wistful look passing over his face. Then a smile dispelled it. "But what makes you think I'm considering a third marriage? I don't recall proposing to anyone."

She folded her arms around his neck and leaned into him comfortably. "I know you Bill. This illicit affair thing really isn't your style."

"And it's yours?"

She blushed and pulled away a fraction and he knew he'd said the wrong thing.

"Maybe I shouldn't fall in love with men in positions of power who aren't able to have open, honest relationships with whomever they choose," she said softly.

"I guess you just have a thing for authority figures," he offered, voice low and husky. "I'm sure a shrink would have a field day telling you how your choice in men is rooted in some deep-seated wish for a father figure."

"Perhaps. So let's not ask. I really don't want to know." She lifted her lips to his and kissed him lightly, letting him know she wasn't angry.

He responded in kind and for some moments his worry about Lee's well-being was abated.

"I'd say yes you know," she whispered in his ear when they broke for air.

"Would you?"

She pulled back so their eyes met. "I understand why we had to keep it a secret before. The civilian government and the military in bed together? Literally? There would have been many who would have questioned whether or not it was still a democracy."

"But we were able to keep work and personal affairs separate," Adama reminded her.

"I know that and you know that but they wouldn't have believed it. At least now things are different. Neither of us is in a position of leadership anymore and what we do personally is of no consequence to anyone but ourselves."

A few more minutes of kissing ensued before Adama broke it off and began pacing again.

"I just can't help but worry about him," he murmured.

"You're rather single-minded that way."

He wasn't sure if it was a compliment. She had an annoying habit of making double-edged statement that he often had trouble getting to the heart of. Wisely, he said nothing.

"You and your son are a lot more alike than you think you are in that respect," she added with a smile. "And in many others as well, not the least of which being your disapproval of illicit relationships. I hope he doesn't go down that path again this time."

"I hope not too," Adama agreed, but in his heart he felt a great uncertainty. Lee was a man who lived life very much by the rules but Kara was his Achilles Heel. he'd never been able to think straight when it came to her and he was pretty certain that hadn't changed over the years.

XXXXX

"I can't believe you told them that." Sharon's voice was incredulous. And angry.

"I had to make up something," Helo said defensively. "They noticed the difference in your blood sample. What was I supposed to do?"

She didn't answer - couldn't, there wasn't anything she could say.

"Yeah I made up a story but I had to cover for you." He stepped forward and put his hands on her shoulders. "I couldn't lose you. The girls couldn't lose you." His voice broke.

She slid into his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I know you were just doing what you had to do to protect your family," she said softly. "I love that about you Karl. Don't ever change. It's just that I hate the lies and deceit. I hate pretending. I guess I got used to people knowing what I am and accepting me anyway. I just don't want to have to hide."

"I know." He folded his arms around her. "I understand how you feel. Maybe in time the truth can come out but I was scared Sharon. These people are no different than our own - remember how Roslin and her supporters desperately wanted to airlock you without even getting to know you? If these people found out you weren't human they'd kill you in a second." He lay his cheek down on her hair. "I'm sorry I lied honey. But I love you and I couldn't bear the thought of losing you."

There was a comfortable silence for a few minutes then Sharon pulled out of his arms. "Well at least we're out of that hellhole and have a place to call home." She looked around the small home. Compared to some of the Caprican homes she remembered it was quite modest but after living in the cramped quarters they'd had on Galactica for so many years it was a palace in comparison.

"It'll do for now," helo agreed. "But I'm not sure I want to stay here for the long term."

"Hell no," she agreed. "It's way too hot here."

"I'd like to find out where Kara's living. Maybe find a place closer to her so we can visit."

Sharon smiled and rubbed a hand across her husband's stubbly cheek. "That's a good idea. It would be nice to have friends close by."

"I've a feeling it's not going to be easy though. From what I gather, most of the planet is inhabited. She could be anywhere."

"You'll find her. I know you will. You can do anything if you put your mind to it."

He kissed her. "Such a lovely, supportive wife I've got."

"You don't know how lucky you are Agathon," she said teasingly.

"oh yes I do," he retorted, sweeping her up into his arms. "I need to get showered and shaved. Care to join me?"

"Are the girls asleep?"

"Yup."

She put her arms around his neck and snuggled up. "I'm all yours."

XXXXX

She splashed cold water on her face, feeling like she was going to throw up. This was a bad idea, Kara told herself, staring at her pale face in the mirror. Whatever possessed her to believe she could handle the two men she loved together, in the same room at the same time ... She must have been crazy. She should have told Lee it was nice to see him again and then gone back to her life, leaving him to make his own without her in it. She'd done just fine without him this last eight years.

Lee was the past, Michael was the present ... and the future. He was Sara's father and for all intents and purposes Zach's as well. He knew his birth father was Lee Adama, soldier, war hero ... but he didn't know the man at all. Kara hadn't even had a picture of him to give to his son. He was elusive, just a name in the background of Zach's life. Michael had been there for him since day one and had adopted him legally as his own when they'd gotten married.

Maybe it would have been better for Kara to leave well enough alone and let the past stay in the past.

But it was too late now - Lee was sitting in her living room talking to the man whom he believed had replaced him in her heart. The man who'd become the father he hadn't been able to to his son. Kara knew he wouldn't be able to handle those feelings well and Lee was not good at hiding his feelings. Not to mention Michael was a master at reading people ...

No, this was not going to be easy. Her stomach fluttered wildly. She hadn't felt this nervous since ... well since she'd arrived here seven years and eleven months ago and discovered she wasn't alone ...

"Are you okay Kara?" Michael's voice called from the hallway outside the bathroom.

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, washed up and flushed the toilet. Thank the Gods the nausea was subsiding!

She opened the door and stepped out. "I'm fine," she lied. "Just a little stomach flu or something. Maybe it was something I ate."

He frowned at her. "This isn't the first time."

"What do you mean?" She felt a flush rise to her cheeks.

"I've heard you throwing up in the night a few times before this week and you forgot to flush the other day."

"Oh." Her tongue glued itself to the roof of her mouth and she was unable to speak further.

"Come on Kara, tell me the truth. Something's wrong, I know it is."

She shook her head, trying to raise a smile but failing.

He put his hands on her shoulders. "You don't have anything to be scared of. I said I'd be here for you and I will be. But I can't help unless you're honest with me."

Her eyes began to sting.

"Please. I'm your friend. If you're sick I'll get you to a doctor. If it's something else just tell me and together we'll work it out."

"You'll kill me," she whispered.

"I will not. Would have done already if I was going to." He pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"You won't want me to stay anymore."

He glared at her. "Kara, listen to me. I know you're scared. You feel alone here and you're missing your home and family. When I took you in a month ago I told you you had a home here for as long as you needed it. I'm not about to turn my back on you now just because life is throwing something difficult at you." He stroked her cheek gently. "You coming into my life was already a huge curve ball but I'm rolling with it. Kind of liking it actually," he added softly. "It's nice having someone else around to alleviate my lonely existence."

"Would you mind someone else?"

His brow furrowed in confusion.

"I think I'm pregnant."

She hadn't been sure then if her writhing stomach had been entirely due to the pregnancy or to the fact that she'd been desperately afraid the only person she'd trusted and relied on would turn his back on her and leave her completely alone.

She took a deep breath, trying to quell the nerves, and prepared to head back out to join them.

XXXXX

Lee felt panic engulf him, suddenly and completely. I shouldn't be here, he thought ruefully. I should have left Kara's note in the garbage and continued on as if I'd never found her alive. His face flushed as he stared at the other man. Michael's blue eyes had something in them that reminded him of his father ... that laser-like ability to see right through him. He suspected Michael would know he was lying if he denied it anyway so there wasn't any point.

"I've never stopped loving her," he admitted.

"Nor she you," Michael countered.

Lee blinked in surprise, admiring the man's honesty.

"No, she hasn't come out and said so but she's been different ever since you came ... I can't describe it but there's something about her ... She used to dream about you all the time when she first arrived here."

Lee knew Michael was trying to make him feel more comfortable by sharing some of that missing time with him but thinking about the two of them sharing a bed so soon after she'd come was making his heart ache all the more.

"She's been dreaming again," he continued softly. "About a month ago I started hearing her call your your name in her sleep but when I asked her about it in the morning she always told me she didn't remember."

"Do you ... know about ... us?" Lee asked carefully.

Michael nodded. "She told me everything. I know all about your troubled, difficult relationship and how much it hurt both of you." Lee saw the other man's eyes turn dark and hard as he spoke. "I know about your affair as well."

Lee flushed to the roots of his hair and wished he could just disappear. He'd never regretted the affair more than he did now. "Listen, it was a big mistake, we should never have ... "

Michael silenced him with an upraised hand. "It's okay, no explanation necessary. What's passed has passed. I just wanted to let you know where I'm at."

Lee nodded. "Honesty. It's something Kara and I were never good at," he admitted sadly.

Michael nodded knowingly. "It's something she's had to work hard at. Life wasn't easy for her here in the beginning but she's come a long way."

"But you were there for her." Lee couldn't stop the acid from entering his voice.

"Yes I was there for her. I'm still there for her. We've worked very hard to have an open, honest relationship and we're very happy together. I don't want to see anything ruin that."

Lee got the message loud and clear. "I understand. I didn't come here to get between you," he said.

"Why did you come?" Michael asked, voice low. "You've admitted you're still in love with her. Why else would you be here if not to get her back?"

Lee stood up, shaking his head vehemently. "I just came to see how she was doing. Yes I still love her. I've tried not to - I tried to let her go when she married someone else, and I tried to let her go when she died but I can't just forget her." He swallowed noisily. "Kara has always been special to me, though I haven't always been able to tell her so in so many words. When we saw each other last week on the plane trip here she barely spoke five words and when Kara doesn't talk it's usually because something's bothering her. I wanted to make sure she was okay and that she was happy here. Can you understand that? Yes I love her but it's been over for us for a long, long time. I consider myself her friend and I'm just looking out for her."

"Watching her back," Michael said, a small smile pulling the corners of his mouth up. "She said you two always had each other's backs and while I could never quite understand the concept out there in those ships you flew I think I get it as far as friendship goes."

Lee sat back down. "Kara and I care about each other, always have. But she's got a good life here with you and your kids and I'm glad she's happy. Her life before was never a good one and she deserved better."

"You do know she was pregnant when she arrived here?" Michael asked slowly. "That I'm not really Zachary's father?"

Lee nodded. " I saw him outside earlier and confronted her about it. I know he's my son," he announced proudly. He took a deep breath. "He seems like a good kid. Obviously you've been a good father to him, and Kara's been a good mother, kind of surprising since she never wanted to have children in the first place, but I'm glad he's happy and has a good life."

"She wants you to meet him. I'd like you to meet him - he often talks about the hero his birth father is and how much he wishes he could meet you."

Lee smiled wistfully. "I'd like that. I don't suppose I'm going to have any other kids and it would be nice to see the one I do have and get to know him. I always thought it might be nice to have a family."

"So why didn't you?"

"It's a long and complicated story," Lee began. "Things just never worked out that way and it's probably for the best, given my track record with relationships. The kids would have ended up growing up without a father and seeing how I did that myself I never wanted to subject anyone else to it."

"I know Kara feels very strongly about kids growing up in a loving family."

Lee nodded. "She should. I know she had a bad childhood. She never really talked about it much, but I got the impression she wasn't happy."

"No, she wasn't." Michael didn't elaborate.

Lee took a deep breath. "Well you guys take care of them and keep them happy, okay?"

Michael nodded, something like admiration shining in his eyes at Lee's obvious attempt to step back and play the gallant gentleman.

Footsteps down the corridor turned both their heads. Kara walked in and sat down carefully in her chair.

"Sorry I took so long."

TBC