A Different Beginning-----Chapter 4

A.N.---- Au and it starts at the mini-series. I am writing this solo so I am sorry for any mistakes.----Also I thought I should mention that while this story may follow canon somewhat I have no intention of rewriting the series verbatim. There will be changes to the storyline as I intend on keeping Starbuck and Apollo as a team in most things.

Chapter----4

Adama was in his office finishing up some of the last paperwork he would ever have to do concerning the Galactica. After a few more minutes he put his pen down and started thinking about the last two hours when he had met with the Secretary of Education ' Laura Roslin ' before the ceremony began. Adama still could not believe her suggestion to have the Galactica networked. He had told her in no uncertain terms that until it was decommissioned he would not allow it. She had not been pleased, but she let it go as they continued the tour.

Adama also thought about the speech he had given and hoped Lee had been paying attention to one part especially. Then he remembered the fly-over and was pleased when Starbuck had left her mark on the ceremony, so to speak. Adama knew that Lee had no idea she was going to pull that move and he hoped his son had let it go. He did not want their last meeting to go bad, but he could not blame Starbuck for wanting to say good-bye in her own way.

He had gone back to his paperwork when the phone rang, it was Chief Tyrol letting him know what happened on the flight deck between Apollo and Starbuck. Adama hung up the phone , " Frak " he said, now he knew this meeting would not go as he thought. Adama now wished he had not ordered them both to come at the same time.

Adama got up and took out three glasses and immediately filled his up with scotch. Might as well get started on his drink early, he thought. Just as he was finishing his first drink he heard a knock at the hatch and he hoped it was only one of them. He sat back down at his desk and called out " Enter ", steeling himself for what was to come.

Kara came in standing at attention " At ease Starbuck, this is an informal meeting " Adama told her. He offered her the seat across from him " Have you made up your mind about what you are going to do?" and as he asked Adama could not help but notice her reddening jaw.

Kara saw him looking at her jaw and as she reached up to rub it she said " It is not as bad as it looks and I take it you know what happened "

" Yes, the chief called to let me know " Adama said then continued " I assume you hit him first " at her nod he went on " And I also assume you want me to let this go?" he asked

" Yeah, it was my fault really, he grabbed my arm and instinct took over after that " she said adjusting herself in the chair " By the way your son has quick reflexes " she said with a grin

" Listen Kara, I am sure he is sorry about hitting you, I don't think Lee has ever hit a woman before " he then asked " About your decision? "

Kara was glad that he was letting the incident go " I have decided to at least listen to Commander Cain before I decide, so I suppose I will be flying back with Apollo "

" Good I'm glad Kara, just know that the Pegagus will be different from the Galactica " and then added " I know Cain and she runs a tight ship "

Kara laughed " Is that your way of telling me to watch my insubordination?"

" I suppose it is " Adama said grinning " Now would you like a drink ?"

" You do know I am going to be flying soon, are you sure I need one?" she asked smiling

Adama poured her a glass and handed it to her " I know you Starbuck and one drink will not impair your flying " he raised his glass to her " Here's to the Galactica " he said

" So say we all " Kara said as she raised her glass to his before drinking and as she sat it down they heard a knock at the hatch.

When Lee reached his fathers cabin he knocked once and opened the hatch and walked in. He was surprised to find his father and Starbuck sitting comfortably together and having a drink apparently. Lee stopped just inside the hatchway and stood there not knowing what to say.

" Come in Lee, Kara and I were just talking about the Pegagus " his father said without bothering to stand.

Kara started to feel uncomfortable with the following silence so she stood up. " Yes, and I really need to go and pack my things now "

Lee noticed that when she stood up so did his father, but what happened next he never expected to see. He watched as his father came around the desk and stood before her.

Adama opened his arms wide " You are not leaving here without giving me a hug good-bye Kara " and Lee watched transfixed as Starbuck walked into his fathers open arms. She didn't seem surprised by his request as she walked into his embrace and hugged him back. Then Lee watched as his father pulled back from her and brushed her hair from her face and kissed her forehead softly before letting her go. Lee watched her straighten her shoulders and clear her throat before she said " Good-bye Sir, and thank you for everything " then for the first time since he entered the room she turned to face him.

Kara had dreaded having to face Apollo so soon after their altercation, but she turned to look at him despite it. Kara paused as she walked by him " See you on the deck Apollo " and then she went out the hatch.

Lee could only nod his head at her, he had no idea what to say as he was still reeling from watching her and his father. He looked at his dad to find him looking at him with a funny look on his face. " What? " Lee asked him.

Adama just shook his head " That is going to leave a nice bruise " and returned to his chair. " Have a seat Lee " Adama said as he refilled his glass.

" Do you plan on giving all of your pilots the same good-bye? " Lee asked as he took the chair that Starbuck had just left.

" Don't be pissy Lee, it doesn't suit you " Adama went to reach for the other glass " Do you want a drink?"

" Not before I fly " Lee answered wondering what the hell his father was thinking offering him a drink. Then he glanced and saw the empty glass in front of him " But I'm sure drinking doesn't factor into it when Starbuck flies, huh?" Lee did not know why he was being so petty, but he could not seem to shut up. " What is it between you two anyway?"

Adama figured he could be as petty as Lee was " I don't know what you mean, besides I could ask you the same thing " when Lee did not say anything he continued " I didn't know you hit women Lee "

Oh that was it Lee thought as he stood up " Oh I suppose you believe her version of what happened "and he continued " And for you information I have never hit a woman before today " Lee started pacing " I don't know what it is about her that made me lose control like that, I mean is she crazy or something?" Lee stopped and looked at his father waiting for his answer only to find him smiling " And that's another thing why do you always smile around her?" he asked loudly

Adama could tell Lee was getting riled up so he decided to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand. " "Relax Lee, besides I think if you spent enough time around her you would get to know all the answers to the questions, but seeing as you won't be around her after today don't worry about it " Adama cleared his throat " Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about what your plans are when you finish your tour on the Atlantia"

Lee didn't know what to think about the abrupt change of conservation so he sat back down " Reserves" he answered. Then Lees mind drifted back to Starbuck, for some reason he was not willing to let it go. " You know you didn't answer me when I asked you what was between you and Starbuck, dad"

Adama sighed he knew he was not going to get around this, Lee could be tenacious about somethings." Kara and I have became close during her year here on the Galactica "

" What exactly do you mean by close?" Lee asked, wondering if he really wanted to know

" Relax Lee it's not what you think, she has been like a daughter to me " there he said it now he was just waiting on Lee to explode

" Like a daughter?" Lee yelled " Well guess what, she's not !! "

" I know that Lee " Adama yelled back " Just forget it, you would not understand "

Lee crossed his arms " Try me "

Fine, Adama thought " Kara does not have anybody, so I have kinda been there for her "

" That's another thing " Lee said " Why do you call her Starbuck sometimes and Kara other times?"

" Why are you so interested Lee ?" Adama asked him

Lee had to stop and think, why the frak was he so interested, for some reason he wanted to try and understand her. " Just answer the question, dad "

Adama realised Lee was not letting this go for some reason " Most times she is Starbuck, but every once in a while she is just Kara "

Lee unfolded his arms and placed his hands on the desk " That does not make any sense "

Adama wondered how in the frak to explain this to Lee " When you were flying and fighting with her she was Starbuck, but when you saw her in this office with me she was Kara and that doesn't happen very often "

Lee thought about that for a minute even though it still did not make sense, then he thought of something else " So, since this Helo character calls her Kara I'm guessing he must be her boyfriend? " he asked

Adama looked at his son like he was the crazy one " Helo is not her boyfriend, he is her best friend and the only one allowed to call her Kara besides myself, plus there are frat regs Lee in case you forgot "

" That's funny I got the impression she had a lot of friends, I mean everyone seems to like her " Lee said thinking back over the last few hours

" No, not everyone, some like her, most respect her and some are just intimidated by her " Adama said explaining it the best he could " Now can we let this go, its not like you are going to see her after today "

Lee sighed and sat back willing to let it go because it seemed like every time he got an answer it just lead to more questions. " Fine, what are your plans after the retirement of Galactica?"

Adama was relived Lee was letting it go he felt like he was teaching a class on Starbuck 101. " I can either retire or take a desk job at headquarters, I'm not sure which, but I am leaning towards retirement "

Lee looked at his father closely " I can't see you doing either one, I mean it will be different being landlocked after all these years "

" Believe me I am not looking forward to it " Adama said as he was standing " Well son, I hate we have to cut this short but, I have a feeling that Laura Roslin will be ready to leave soon "

Lee stood also, knowing it was getting late " You know dad I am sorry for blaming you about Zak, I now know that you would not have been able to talk him out of flying "

Adama did not think, he just reached and grabbed his son and hugged him, he was so relieved to hear Lee say that.

To say that Lee was shocked when his dad hugged him would be an understatement, so he awkwardly hugged his father back. Lee pulled back first " Well I had better get to the deck, otherwise Starbuck may leave without me " Lee said trying to make a joke

Adama stopped him with a hand on his shoulder " Listen Lee, everything should be fine, but if something happens there is no better pilot to have flying your wing "

Lee just nodded and headed out the hatch, not knowing what else to say.

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