~ Bright, Shiny Futures - Chapter Sixty-One ~

Kara frowned. "I'm not sure we could give up all of our technology. We rely so heavily on it."

I know. But it is not fair for you to come to their world and destroy them because you are more advanced than they are.

"There's no guarantee we'd destroy them," Kara argued.

No, but past history shows you are a very violent people. You have difficulty getting along with those who are different than you and not everyone is able to live and let live.

Kara blushed, knowing Zero was referring to Lee. It seemed she wasn't the only one who could read him.

"Maybe we can compromise. Keep some of our technology. Get rid of the guns but keep the things that are helpful. Medical tools and medicines. That sort of thing."

"She's right Kara," Lee said softly, "much as I hate to disagree with you. Technology itself isn't bad, it's the people who wield it that are. Even good things can be used in bad ways by those who are bent on forcing others to do things their way."

"We wouldn't do that," she argued. "Not after all we suffered through to get to this point."

"Maybe not us," he conceded, "but we can't speak for thousands of other people and it would only be a matter of time before conflict occurs and we use what we have to our advantage. It would be genocide, just like what the Cylons tried to do to us. I'm not willing to go there."

"But how would we manage without everything? We've lived so long with our technology ... it would be like going back to square one."

Lee nodded. "That's the point," he said gently. "We'd be so busy just trying to survive that we wouldn't have time to worry about petty disagreements." He nodded towards the valley. "We'd need to look to them for advice on how to survive a pre-technological life. Perhaps it would force us to join them and work together with them, rather than keeping ourselves and our technology away from them which just keeps us apart and fosters fear and distrust." He squeezed her hand and managed a lopsided smile. "Besides, it could be fun. Like camping."

Kara sniffed. "I hate camping."

Lee pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her hair. "It'll be fun with me. I promise," he whispered in her ear.

She pulled back to see his eyes and smiled as they twinkled. "Fine, you've convinced me. But how do we sell it to everyone else? I've a feeling a lot of people will have a problem with it."

You'll find a way.

* * * * * * * * * *

Zach felt stranger than he ever had before in his life. Not afraid, surprisingly, but definitely odd. His body felt as though the wind was blowing through it - almost as if he were a ghost.

For a while it didn't strike him as odd that Galactica's metal walls and decking had been replaced by sunlight and grass - what did strike him was that everything was misty and clouded, particularly his mother and Lee, who were standing not far off.

Where are we? he asked but without having to open his mouth. Also strange.

Concentrate little one. Stay focused with the others. I promise you'll be home soon.

He nodded, trust coming easily to him as it did to most children. He closed his eyes and thought about his hands, gripping tighter to the ones beside him. His mother's voice and Lee's were still audible but he couldn't quite make out what they were saying. No matter, they were here with him and Sara - wherever here was - and that was all that mattered.

A short time later he became aware of others joined with them. He didn't know who they were or where, but he was aware of the thoughts of many minds, though he couldn't read their thoughts exactly.

They are my people, Zero said, answering his half-formed question. They too will come live here with you so they're curious as to what it will be like.

Do I know them?

I don't think so. But you will.

He could hear the smile in her voice and did not fear. She wanted only good for them all, he could feel it deep inside himself. Just as he could feel his mother's fear and anxiety. He wanted to talk to her and tell her everything would be okay but he couldn't make his mouth form words.

She has Lee to take care of her and calm her fears little one, the elderly woman said, answering his thoughts yet again. He is a good protector, wise and brave, and he will take good care of all of you.

He's my father, Zach thought proudly, standing just a little straighter. And I want to be just like him when I grow up.

You will my child. You will. You are already very much like him.

Zach squeezed his sister's hand a little tighter, vowing then and there to make sure she was safe once they were in their new home.

* * * * * * * * * *

Bill adama was on his way back to the heart of his ship when voices from an open bunkroom caught his attention.

"I'm trying to be calm and understanding about this whole situation but exactly when are they coming back?"

Adama almost smiled but for the anxiety in Tyrol's voice, broadcasting loud and clear. He pushed the door open a little wider and stepped in.

"Soon. They do not need to be there long, just long enough for Terra Nova to imprint itself on them so they will know the way back. Then the children will bring them back home."

"Isn't that what we have maps for?" Helo asked, a trace of acerbity entering his voice.

"They will only take us so far. The world needs to be in their blood - they need to live it and breathe it - in order for it to be able to show them the way."

"Okay, that just sounds too fanciful to be true," Tyrol said.

"What's going on here?" Adama interrupted, his stomach giving a sickly lurch as he spied the semi-non-corporeal form of the woman he was coming to think of as his mother.

Sharon gave him a very brief update.

"Lee and Kara and my grandchildren are gone?" he growled, anger lining his face.

"Not gone," the elderly woman answered. "Finding our new home. They will return shortly."

Adama planted himself stubbornly. "I'm not leaving this room until they do."

* * * * * * * * * *

"Lee!" Kara called out urgently, gripping his hand tighter as her world began to spin.

"I know, I think maybe we're being taken back. Hold on."

"I don't plan on letting go," Kara said through clenched teeth, willing her stomach to stop churning. She was glad when the mist enveloped them again and the terrain beyond faded. I hope we're going home, she thought fervently. Please let us be back on Galactica soon!

You do not like it here? Zero asked.

I do, but I think I'll like it when we actually get there. This whole vision thing is a little ...

Scary? Zero supplied.

Strange.

I suppose, if you're not used to it.

Are the children okay? Not all of them have had visions before. I know mine haven't. Are they going to be all right?

Be assured they are just fine. Children are much more adaptable to the unknown. They view everything with wonder, not fear.

Kara grimaced. Lucky them.

Then everything went dark for a moment and the familiar rusting grey walls of Galactica were before her. "Thank the Gods!" she breathed with heartfelt enthusiasm.

"Lee!"

The moment Adama spoke, the spell was broken. The Old Man pulled his son into an embrace and the children ran to their parents. Kara knelt down to hug hers, noting the others doing the same.

"Are you okay?" she asked, running her hands over their hair and touching their faces as if she hadn't seen them for months. "You're not hurt are you?"

"I'm fine mom," Zach said, showing a trace of embarrassment at his mother's affection.

"That was a pretty place," Sara said. "Are we going to live there?"

"Yes sweetheart," Kara answered, absolute certainty suddenly gripping her though she had no idea how or why. "Soon we'll get there and it will be our new home."

Sara threw her arms her mother's neck. "Good. I like it."

Lee, meanwhile, had extricated himself from his father's arms and had come to join his family. He stretched out his arms to encircle them all. "I think it's time to get you munchkins to bed," he said playfully, winking at his son.

"I am not a munchkin!" Zach declared, facing up to his father proudly.

"Not a munchkin," Sara echoed.

"Yes you are," Lee teased.

"No we're not!"

"Yes you are."

The tension in the room was broken as Lee chased the children around and they screamed with laughter. "Race you to our quarters," he taunted and the three of them took off down the corridor.

Helo smiled through his daughter's curls. "I always knew he'd make a good dad someday."

"Not because he had a good role model," Adama said sadly. "That's the one thing I'll always regret to the end of my days. I should have put family first and taken better care of my boys."

Kara laid a gentle hand on his arm. "It's not too late to be a good father now, nor a good grandfather," she said softly, an endearingly sad smile pulling at the corners of her mouth.

"You're right," he said, pulling her in for a large bear hug. "How'd you get so wise?"

She squeezed him back. "I had a good role model in my commanding officer," she whispered. "And his son has always been a good influence on me."

"Here's hoping he always will be," Adama whispered back. "You make a good team. Always have. Although I might not have been so willing to admit it years ago."

"I think it's time to get these tired people to bed," Helo said, grunting as he stood with Kiera still locked onto his neck.

"The children too," Adama quipped as he released Kara and smiled at the others. "Why don't we all get some rest and meet in the morning to discuss what happened and how it's going to help us find our new home."

"Good idea," Tyrol said gratefully, leaving the room with his arm still around his son's shoulders.

The Agathons followed suit, leaving Kara, Adama and Zero alone.

"Goodnight sir," Kara said softly, then nodded at Zero, wondering if she should say goodnight, goodbye or thank you to the elderly woman. She chose to say nothing at all.

"Take care of our family," Zero said, voice as frail-sounding as she looked. "They mean everything to me."

"I will," Kara said solemnly. "I feel the same way."

Adama leaned forward and kissed Kara on the forehead. "Go on to bed. I'll stay here for a while."

* * * * * * * * * *

The children were dressed and ready for bed by the time Kara arrived at their quarters. She threw Lee a grateful look and sat down on Sara's bed to read to them. They were both exhausted by their efforts earlier, and by the time she was two pages into the story they were sound asleep.

Kara, exhausted herself, got ready and changed for bed. She lay down on top of the covers, allowing her mind to run through everything she'd experienced again, slowly, trying to piece it all together and understand it.

Lee joined her a short while later, climbing in and laying on his back beside her as she scooted over against the wall. They began to talk in whispers of their encounter at Terra Nova and what it meant for their future.

"This is going to change everything," Kara said. "The next generation is going to grow up on a planet with freedom and room to grow, just like we did. They'll have the resources to make real whatever they can dream up and won't be limited by being stuck on a group of spaceships. They'll have a home, not just a makeshift space."

Lee rolled over to face her, reaching a hand up and tracing her cheek with his index finger. "Home is where the heart is Kara. My heart has always been with you so you are home to me. I don't need a planet for that."

She faced him as well, eyes welling up with tears that she tried to wipe away. Her cheeks flamed as Lee began to smile at her discomfiture.

"Getting emotional on me are you?" he whispered teasingly.

"Shut up Apollo," she shot back reflexively but her lips curled up in a smile. "Having babies has thrown my hormones all out of whack."

"Emotions are a good thing Kara. I know you've always been afraid of them - so have I - but there's no reason for us to be afraid anymore. It's time to let them out and stop hiding how we feel, no matter what might come of it."

Kara bit her lip and searched his eyes. Her hand lifted involuntarily to touch his face, stroking the stubbly cheek lovingly. "Are you sure that's what you want?"

"Absolutely."

"I'm not sure you can handle me," she said, only half teasingly.

His eyes widened. "Is that a challenge Starbuck? Because you know I can never resist a challenge when it comes from you."

"Challenge, threat ... whatever you want to call it." She was grinning widely now.

Lee leaned forward so their noses were touching. His breath tickled her lips as he spoke. "Call it a promise and I'll do my best to take anything you can throw my way."

She inched forward just a fraction so their lips were touching. "Deal."

His arms slid around her torso and pulled her closer as he began to kiss her. Lips opened and tongues probed, exploring each other as thoroughly as their hands were. Kara moved suddenly to sit on top of him, grinding her hips down and eliciting a groan of pleasure as he leapt at the feel of her against him. His fingers hooked into the hem of the tank she wore as pajamas and drew it over her head quickly, gasping at the sight of her almost-nudity.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered. "Gods, I've missed you so."

"Not nearly as much as I've missed you." She bent down over him and began to kiss his face and bare chest. HIs fingers tangled themselves in her hair as she worked, stopping her lips only to remove his boxers and her own underwear.

They both gasped as she lowered herself down onto him and their bodies began moving together, perfect partners in this as in everything else.

Kara slid down to lay beside him once she was spent, realizing now that she was relaxing just how tired she really was. She nestled into the crook of his neck as his arm came around her, hand resting warmly on her back. His deepening breaths told her he too was exhausted and not far from sleep.

"I love you," she murmured quietly.

"What was that?"

"You heard me," she whispered playfully, smacking him gently on the chest.

"Yeah I did," he admitted, "but I want to hear you say it again, just to prove that I wasn't imagining it."

She raised her head up to look him full in the eyes. "I love you Lee Adama."

"No takebacks?" he grinned.

"No takebacks."

"Good, because I love you too Kara Thrace, and I want to marry you."

She blinked once, twice. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely positive. It's what I've always wanted. Every vision I've ever had of my bright shiny future has included you. I can't imagine it happening without you."

She sagged down, a sad smile drawing out her beauty even more than usual. "I can't. At least not yet. I need to wait a while ... a proper mourning period. Michael's only been gone a few weeks - not even three - even though it feels like we've lived years since then."

"Yeah it does," he agreed, face somber. "How long do you think a proper mourning period needs to be?"

Kara thought for a minute before answering. "Three months?"

"I guess that sounds fair." He touched her cheek gently. "After that ... "

Kara couldn't stop the smile. "Yes. After that I will marry you."

~ TBC ~