~ Bright, Shiny Futures - Chapter Fifty-Three ~

She woke with the sense that it was morning, though the darkness in the room did nothing to confirm it. She felt his warm body beside her and drank in the scent of him before opening her eyes.

Clothes were shed quickly but things slowed after that as though both of them wanted to take the time to re-acquaint themselves with one another thoroughly before passion took them away.

Lees' mouth followed his hand, kissing her ear delicately before licking and kissing his way down her neck. She shivered with pure pleasure as his hands and mouth explored her bare skin slowly, one inch at a time.

Kara shivered again as the memory of his caresses caused goosebumps to rise all over her body. Lee rolled over and slid an arm around her.

"Morning beautiful," he murmured.

"Mmm." She snuggled into his chest, breathing deeply of the scent of him.

He ran a hand along her back, tracing circles that just barely grazed the backs of her arms, making her giggle.

Lee's fingers traced over the complex pattern on her arm, eyes flicking back and forth between it and her face. "Seeing this always made me jealous."

"There was no need to be."

"It meant that you belonged to him."

Kara dragged her hands up from his back, along his shoulders, to cup his face. "It was only on the surface and meant my body belonged to him. The tattoo on my heart says it's always belonged to you."

He pulled her against him roughly and kissed her hard, as if years of pent-up longing had finally broken down his walls and the man within had free rein to let loose for the first time.

Her lips began to work as if with a mind of their own, kissing his chest and neck as her hands caressed the territory she'd marked as her own the night before.

"Feeling up for another round?" he whispered in her ear, causing a spike of heat to shoot straight through her.

She smiled seductively as she nibbled his ear. "We have to make it quick. The kids will be up soon."

Lee rolled on top of her, leaning on one elbow as he disentangled his legs from the blankets. "I can do that."

They took their time getting to penetration though minutes after their clothing had been removed they were both fully ready. The bunk didn't allow for much movement but they tried different positions as their hands and tongues explored and caressed each other all over.

Eventually Kara ended up on the bottom with Lee crouching over her. Their eyes tangled for a moment, a swirling maelstrom of emotion, and Kara knew then that it was important they do it this way. Vital, in fact. A partnership had to be a mutual thing, both parties giving and taking equally. Her cheeks flushed as she looked up at him, knowing she'd always been the dominant one and had led their relationship. It was time for her to step back and allow him to take charge. She could see it in his eyes - even though perhaps he didn't realize it consciously.

His eyebrows raised in the unspoken question. Kara smiled and lifted her legs up around his waist and opened herself up to him.

A few kisses later he was sliding into her. "Are you sure you want to do it like this again?" he whispered, pausing for her answer before letting himself go.

She dug her nails into his back and began thrusting upwards. "Yes."

Lee bit his lip and tried to hold himself back as their bodies pressed together again and again, harder each time. He knew what a gift he was getting in Kara lying under him and letting him take charge. He loved her that much more for being willing to go against her own nature, but he also wanted to make sure the tables weren't completely turned. This had to be an equal partnership for it to work this time.

Her cheeks were flushed and her body burning hot as she gasped out her second orgasm. Lee kept pumping, feeling himself nearly ready to let go and wanting to share the pleasure of this new experience with her fully.

She began to moan quietly as her body climbed back up to the heights Lee pushed her to. Her hair, partially sweat-soaked, lay on the pillow like a halo and Lee was positive he was making love to an angel.

"You are so beautiful," he murmured between gasping breaths, knowing it was a cliche but needing to say it anyway. "I love you Kara Thrace."

Then he let go and thrust hard one more time, body shuddering in rhythm with hers as they reached the stars together.

She cried out, then bit her lip to hold back the sound as her body, overly sensitive, came more quickly than she'd anticipated.

Lee watched her with a growing smile on his face as she stopped shaking and her breathing slowed. Then he slipped out of her and encouraged her to move to the side while he pushed the pillow back against the wall and sat.

"Come," he beckoned, opening his arms out to her.

She sat up and straddled him. "Are you sure?" she whispered, looking deep into his eyes to find the hurt she knew inevitably came with any reminder of that night on New Caprica.

All she saw was love, shining purely from those oh-so-familiar blue eyes. She lowered herself down on him, put her hands on his shoulders and began to ride him.

Lee slid his hands around her hips and helped her move up and down on him, watching her carefully till the roll of her eyes and a small gasp escaping her lips told him they'd found just the right position.

Faster and faster she moved above him and he closed his arms around her to feel the entire length of her torso rubbing against his chest. She began to let out soft moans and her fingernails dug deep as she neared climax.

She looked down at him and smiled. "I love you Lee Adama," she whispered, then she came hard, her mind and mouth unable to form any more coherent thoughts or words as he thrust upwards quickly and their bodies shuddered and shook together.

Eventually Kara lay back down and Lee slid down beside her, gentle fingers brushing the damp hair out of her eyes. This is what I want, he thought. What I've always wanted. He continued to run his hand over her hair, brushing it with his fingers and luxuriating in the feel of it against him.

Kara closed her eyes and moaned and the sound of it made him tingle all over. "Lee," she murmured, eyes still closed but lips pulling up into a smile.

"Mmm?"

"Can we wake up like this every day?"

"Am I even awake?" Lee said, laughter bubbling up out of him. "I could swear that was the best dream I ever had."

She smirked and pressed a kiss to his lips. "Trust me, that was very real."

He pulled her against his chest, a primal sound of contentment rumbling against her. "Then yes, we can. Lords of Kobol, I can't think of a better way to put me in a good mood before facing the day's crises."

Kara's face sobered. "I guess there was no change during the night," she said a little distantly.

"Hmm." Lee sat up, careful not to hit his head on the bunk above. "I'd better get back to it." He turned his head and smiled sadly at her.

Kara lifted a hand and touched his bristly cheek. "One day things won't be like this."

He covered her hand with his own. "I hope so. I'm counting on it."

"Go on out there and make it happen then, Mr Adama."

Lee's heart swelled to bursting point as she smiled the radiantly beautiful, loving smile she reserved only for him.

"Yes ma'am." He stood and pulled on his undershorts and pants.

"Mommy?" Sara pulled aside the curtain to her bunk and rubbed her eyes sleepily.

"Right here sweetie." Kara's cheeks flushed pink again as she pulled the sheet up over her naked body and knotted it.

"Is it time to get up yet?"

Lee checked his watch. "It's time," he nodded. "And it's time for me to get to work." Sara's face grew long and her eyes sad. "It's okay, I'll be back later," he said softly, walking over and kneeling in front of her.

"Promise?"

"I promise." She smiled brightly and Lee's heartstrings tugged again. She had the beginnings of Kara's gorgeous smile that always made him weak in the knees. He already felt sympathy for the men who fell under her spell, never to be able to get out again.

He stood, pushed aside the curtain to the upper bunk and touched Zach's hair lightly before walking over and kissing Kara goodbye. They spoke no words but her eyes overflowed.

"As soon as I can," he whispered, in answer to her silent question.

She nodded. Their hands stayed clasped as he walked away, only falling apart as the bond between them grew taut.

* * * * * * * * * *

Footsteps rushing behind her alerted Kara to the fact that someone was coming quickly. She squeezed the kids' hands reflexively and peeked behind them.

"Karl! You scared me."

He fell into stride with her and winked. "You really have lost your edge, haven't you Starbuck?" he teased.

"Frak you," were the first words that came to mind but she'd made a vow never to swear in front of her children so she bit her lip and glared at him instead. The dark circles under his eyes and worried lines on his forehead quickly chased away her anger.

"Are you okay? How did it go last night?"

He shrugged. "No progress."

Kara frowned. "I'm sorry."

"Listen Kara, I really need you to do me a favour."

She recognized the look in his eye and her eyebrows raised. "Before I say yes, is it legal?"

"Umm ... "

"Okay, let me drop these guys off at babysitting and then we'll talk."

He slapped her back. "You're a lifesaver." Then he knelt down and gave the two kids a quick hug. "Be good for you mom munchkins."

"I'm not a munchkin!" Sara protested.

He smiled and winked at her. "Your Uncle Karl likes to tease."

* * * * * * * * * *

"Uncle Karl." Kara chuckled as she met up with him ten minutes later.

He shrugged. "As long as you're okay with it."

She smiled. " 'Course. Now what was that 'legal' favour you wanted?"

He looked from side to side quickly. "I want to go out and look for Sharon and the others."

Kara held up her hands as if backing away. "You should be asking the Admiral."

"I have. He refused my request."

"With good reason Karl. It's a needle in a haystack sort of proposition. You know the odds of finding them as well as I do."

"Odds be damned," he said forcefully. "My wife is out there. I need to find her."

"They're doing the best they can ... "

"They're doing nothing! Every minute we waste could be crucial."

"You want me to ask Adama for you? Sure he bends the rules for me sometimes but I doubt he's going to ... "

"No, I want you to distract the deck crew while I steal a Raptor."

Kara's mouth dropped open. "You can't be serious."

His eyes bored into her. "I'm deadly serious Kara. I am going out there, one way or another."

"It's a crazy idea."

"What if it was Apollo out there?" he asked. "What would you do?"

She swallowed hard. "Give me fifteen minutes."

* * * * * * * * * *

Eighteen minutes later, the Raptor was gone.

In the end it hadn't been too hard for Kara to improvise a distraction to keep most of the deck crew away from the bird Helo snuck into. Most of them were either happy to see her again and chat or happy to meet her after all the gossip they'd heard.

Jackson had been there getting a lesson from the Chief on Raptor workings and maintenance and between the two of them talking stories about Earth and Kara strutting her stuff in true Starbuck fashion, they'd kept nearly everyone occupied for the few minutes Helo had needed for pre-launch.

"What the hell ... ?" Tyrol yelled as the Raptor at the far end of the bay lifted off the deck and took off like a bat out of hell. "There's no launch scheduled now." He reached for the phone.

Kara's hand on his arm arrested his motion. "It's okay. I'll take care of it," she said softly.

He stared at her curiously. "You knew, didn't you?"

She nodded.

"Why?"

She bit her lip. "I can't tell you. I'll answer for it though."

The phone rang and Tyrol picked it up on the first ring. "Tyrol."

There was silence as he listened. Kara could hear Adama yelling on the other end. She gestured for him to pass it to her and took a deep breath. "Sir?"

"Starbuck?"

"I authorized the launch and take full responsibility for it."

She could feel his anger through the wire. "Report to CIC immediately." He hung up before she could answer.

"You let that ship go?" Jackson asked incredulously.

Kara nodded.

"Why?"

"A friend needed my help."

"It's against the rules to buck the chain of command." He was clearly aghast at her behaviour.

Kara squared her shoulders and met his gaze evenly. "Friends are more important than rules. He would have done the same for me."

* * * * * * * * * *

Kara's cheeks were bright red and she'd rehearsed what she was going to say half a dozen times by the time she'd crossed the ship and reached her destination. Still, the look of sheer anger on Adama's face as she stepped into the room made her flinch. Lee shrugged almost imperceptibly, letting her know he couldn't help her, but at least the look on his face was one of curiosity, not anger.

"War room. Now. You and you." Adama pointed at both Lee and Kara. He spoke not another word until the three of them were alone with the hatch firmly shut.

"What have you done?" he asked in a voice so low and cold it filled her with dread. Yelling she knew how to handle. Cold, unemotional, detached anger was something she'd always had difficulty with. It was clear where Lee had learned that behaviour.

"Helo took a Raptor to go find Sharon."

"You have no authority on my ship to allow that."

"I know."

"I denied his request to go look for her."

"I know."

"Yet you helped him steal a ship?"

Kara's face flamed but she didn't back down. "He's a friend and he asked for my help."

"You broke the rules!"

Kara's temper exploded. "You expected something different? When have I ever followed the rules?"

Adama exhaled sharply. "You've always been an insubordinate disobedient soldier who puts her own ideas ahead of the regulations."

"I put people above rules," Kara said proudly. "And I make no apology for that. My rule breaking has saved many lives, including your son's, " she gestured at Lee, "several times over."

Adama seemed to lose some steam. "It's a foolhardy mission," he said roughly, but his voice had lost the angry undertone.

Kara nodded. "I won't argue that. But I'd have done the same thing if someone I loved was kidnapped." She paused, glanced over at Lee, then met Adama's eyes squarely. "If it had been Laura, what would you have done?"

The three of them stood in a frozen tableau just staring at one another for a few minutes. Then Adama took a deep breath. "So what can we do to help him?"

Kara's heart pounded with relief. "Does this mean you're not sending me to the brig?"

Adama's eyes were still narrowed and his face dead serious but she thought she saw a trace of humour flash across it. "The brig really isn't a place for children, now is it? And I couldn't separate you from them. Who'd take care of the little rugrats?" She smiled tentatively. "The soldier in me is not pleased with what you and Helo have done nor how you did it but the man in me understands why. I'm not sure punishing you will teach you anything anyway - it never has in the past."

"Guess I'm just incorrigible," she offered, mouth pulling up into a grin.

"That, you certainly are," he agreed. "I'll keep it in mind to deal with in the future but right now we're going to need your help. I suspect a little out-of-the-box thinking is going to be necessary to pull us through this crisis."

~ TBC ~