A Different Beginning-Chapter 21
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This is an AU fic and it starts at the beginning. Also I am writing this solo so all mistakes are mine.
A.N.-While some events seem the same I will be changing some of what happens on Caprica, what happens with Boomer and what happens on the Galactica.
On a side note Adam is not Leobon, Lee met Adam at the restaurant and saw Leobon during the interrogation.
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CHAPTER 21
Kara walked beside President Roslin for a while before asking " Where are we going and why do you need to speak with me alone?"
Roslin glanced at her " We are heading to the garden to meet someone and then we will talk "
Kara didn't have much choice, because she felt whatever it was it must be important " Okay "
When they entered the area Roslin stopped and looked around until she seemed to see the person they were meeting. Kara followed her until they came to a bench that was enclosed enough to give them some privacy.
Kara saw Eloshi stand to greet them" Hello Madame President I see you convinced her to come along " She turned to Kara " I'm glad you came Captain Thrace "
Kara snorted " Like I had a choice in the matter, you both knew I could not tell the President no "
Roslin sat down in the center of the bench " Sit down the both of you we don't have a lot of time "
Roslin turned to look at Kara " I know that you believe in the gods Captain, but what do you know about Pythia?"
Kara thought for a moment trying not to say to much " I think I remember something about her being on Kobol and helping the thirteenth tribe find Earth"
Eloshi opened the book she had and pointed to a passage " It basically says that the Tomb of Athena is located somewhere on Kobol and with the Arrow of Apollo it will show us the way to Earth "
No one said anything as they absorbed the information until Kara had a thought " What does all of this have to do with me?"
Roslin stood up and paced back and forth a couple of times before she stopped and faced Kara. " Captain we have found Kobol, now we need you to take the cylon raider back to Caprica and bring the arrow back "
Kara jumped up " Are you two crazy I can't do that, plus Commander Adama already knows the way to Earth "
Roslin had to get control of the situation " Captain look at me " she waited until Kara faced her with her hands placed on her hips " Adama does not know the way to Earth, he never did, he just told people that to give them hope "
Kara kept her voice low " You are lying "
Eloshi stood up " I don't know anything about the commander, but I do believe in the scrolls of Pythia and that the thirteenth tribe found Earth" Eloshi looked at Roslin who nodded. " Captain do you believe we all have a part to play in this cycle?"
Eloshi waited until Kara answered " Yes I do "
Roslin spoke up again " It seems my part in this cycle is the dying leader "
Kara didn't know what to do, she believed in Adama, but she also believed in the gods, and she knew Roslin would not lie about dying, so she looked at Roslin " How long do I have before I have to decide?"
Roslin let out the breath she had been holding " You are due to take the raider on a flight test tomorrow morning, so I guess you have until then, but remember, this will be our only chance to get the arrow Captain "
Kara nodded " I will let you know before my test run, now I need to get back to Lee " Kara stopped and turned around " I hope you have a way of getting the coordinates, because without them I can't jump back to Caprica "
Before Kara turned to leave again Roslin spoke once more "I already have the coordinates and you cannot tell anyone about this Captain, understood, and only the three of us plus Cottle know about my cancer and I would like to keep it that way "
Kara nodded and went back to the dance.
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Maggie saw Apollo never taking his eyes off the door Roslin and Starbuck had left through. She kept glancing at him as her and Mark danced, when the song ended she pulled Mark to a stop " I am going to ask Apollo to dance he needs a distraction "
Mark led her off the dance floor " I agree, but let me try something "
Maggie nodded okay.
When they reached the table Mark flopped down in his chair " Lee would you please dance with Maggie I am in desperate need of a break?"
Lee turned from the doorway and saw how tired Mark was " Sure, Maggie would you like to dance or wait around until Mark can catch his breath?"
She reached and grabbed Apollo's arm " I can't wait that long, come on Captain"
When they left Mark took up watching the door. He was worried about Kara also. After about a minute later she came through the door and stopped for a second trying to get herself under control. At least that is what it looked like to Mark.
She came over and sat down grabbing her drink and downing it quickly then reached for Lee's and did the same thing.
Mark wasn't sure she knew he was there " Are you okay Kara?"
She jerked and met his eyes before looking away " I'm okay, the President just wanted to talk about what happened today with the two men we captured "
Somehow he knew she was lying " Would you like to dance, Lee and Maggie are on the dance floor now?"
Kara knew she needed to act natural " I thought you would never ask "
As they were dancing Mark intentionally led them closer to Lee, as soon as Lee saw her he stopped " Lee do you mind if we switch?"
Lee didn't hesitate he immediately reached for Kara and then the song ended, turning into a slow one, so he pulled her closer and she laid her head on his shoulder. Neither spoke as they held each other close and let the song surround them. Lee knew he was falling in love with Kara, he knew because he had never felt this way with any other woman. After it ended he pulled back and placed a kiss on her cheek and led her back to the table.
After they sat down Lee had to ask " What did Roslin want "
Kara shrugged " She asked me about the two men who were killed and did I have any idea who had killed them "
Lee shook his head " I already briefed her on all that "
Kara shrugged " I guess she wanted to know what I thought about it and somehow we ended up talking about the tomb of Athena of all things "
Lee looked doubtful " Why ask you?"
Kara laughed " For some reason she thinks since I believe in the gods then I must know everything about them " Kara chuckled again " Nobody knows everything, you would think she would know that "
Lee reached for his glass " This drink was almost full when I left it "
Kara simply said " Talking to Roslin made me thirsty sorry, I'll go get us another one "
Just as she stood up Mark and Maggie were headed there way with four fresh drinks. Mark sat them down " I kinda figured we would need a refill"
Kara sat back sipping her drink thinking about everything Eloshi and Roslin had told her. They had valid points, but she couldn't believe Adama had lied to them. She looked up and saw him headed their way then he stopped before her " Will you dance with me Kara?"
Kara figured this might be her only chance to find out. " Yes sir " She let him help her up and she glanced over at Lee and saw him smiling.
Adama led them onto the dance floor " You really do look beautiful tonight Kara"
Kara blushed " Thank you sir "
After they danced for a minute Kara asked " Sir, how long will it take us to reach Earth?"
Adama stumbled " I'm not sure Kara "
Kara asked another " Can you guess how long it will take us?"
Adama stopped and looked at her " Starbuck you know I don't like to guess "
Kara knew then that Roslin was right he had no idea where Earth was. When the dance ended he led her back to the table and left quickly.
Lee could tell things were still tense between them " So how did it go?"
Kara looked at him and rolled her eyes " It was just a dance Lee we didn't talk about anything personal " Kara hated keeping Lee in the dark about this, but she knew he would never let her go.
Lee scooted his chair close to Kara and put his arm around her shoulders and she laid her head against him " Kara you are so far beyond beautiful I can't find the right words to describe you " that made her smile
As they sat that way quietly someone stopped in front of them and took a picture " If you want a copy just let me know I run a photo shop here on Cloud Nine at least until we run out of supplies "
A slow song started and Lee asked Kara to dance with him one more time, she took his hand as they walked back onto the dance floor. Kara let Lee pull her up close and for a while she forgot about Roslin.
Kara decided she wanted to tease Lee a little bit so she put her lips next to his ear and whispered " When I got my things together for the dance I forgot to pack any panties so " and she let him fill in the rest
Lee pulled back eyes wide " Are you saying that the only thing you have on under this dress is your bare ass?"
Kara nodded " You can check if you don't believe me " then she winked
Lee pulled her flush with his body and keeping one hand between them he slowly ran his hand up the inside of her dress until he felt her curls then ran his hand around to her backside and felt her naked ass. " Oh my fraking gods Kara you are killing me, we have to leave now"
As they were walking back to the table Lee grabbed her arm to stop her and started rambling " Kara I wasn't sure what to do since you wanted to take things slowly, but I booked us a room just in case "
Kara was fairly certain she was leaving in the morning and might not make it back and she needed this one night with Lee if she didn't make it back " I think we should give ourselves a free pass tonight " then she kissed him to seal the deal.
They both walked up to Maggie and Mark grinning like fools. Lee spoke first "Maggie do you think you can find another ride back tonight, Kara and I are going to hang around for a while?"
Racetrack wasn't a fool " Sure Apollo " then she looked at Kara " Starbuck is it safe to assume whoever had today picked wins the pool?"
Starbuck winked at her and dragged Lee along with her to the hotel laughing " What was she talking about Kara?"
Kara stopped and pushed him against the wall and kissed him hoping he would forget what Racetrack said.
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Mark looked at Maggie who was grinning " What does the pool mean?"
Maggie laughed " The pilots and a few other people on the Galactica have been betting on which day Starbuck and Apollo would finally frak "
He grinned " Let me guess, you picked today " Maggie nodded smiling " How many other bets are going on?"
Maggie shrugged " A few, but most of them are about Starbuck and Apollo "
Mark finished his drink and sat it down " When are you going to let them know you won?"
Maggie looked around and saw Crashdown, Kat and Duck looking at her. " Some of them already know " she said and motioned toward the three pilots.
Maggie saw him looking at the pilots and chuckled " After tonight we will probably have some bets placed on us "
When Mark looked back at her he was blushing.
Maggie was getting ready to ask him to dance when she saw the pilots heading to their table.
Crashdown spoke up first " How did you know it would be today?"
Kat spoke up then " You can't be sure, knowing those two they could end up fighting instead "
Duck chimed in " With that dress she had on they will definitely be fraking "
Maggie chose to ignore them " Mark this is some of our pilots Kat, Duck and Crashdown, guys this is Mark "
Mark didn't know what to say " Hey guys, I actually met Crashdown earlier, do Kara and Lee know that you place bets on them?"
Crashdown answered " Starbuck knows about a couple of them, but Apollo doesn't have a clue "
Kat sat down " So Racetrack how did you end up with such a good looking date?"
Duck took the other chair " So Mark what kind of work do you do?"
Mark had finally got the chance to have Maggie alone until the pilots showed up, but he couldn't be rude so he answered " I own a restaurant on this ship"
Crashdown grabbed an empty chair and pulled it over to their table.
Maggie leaned over and whispered to Mark " They just want to talk to someone new, most of us never get a chance to mingle with the civilians"
Mark grabbed her hand and squeezed it " It's okay I understand "
Mark looked at all of them " Do you guys bet about anything besides Lee and Kara?"
They seemed to think about it, then Kat answered with a wink " Not really, but now we get to bet on you two " she said laughing
Over the next hour they talked and drank asking each other questions, well they questioned Mark mostly.
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After pulling back from the kiss Kara took one look at Lee's dazed face and knew he had forgotten. " Where is the room Lee?"
Lee couldn't believe that Kara had agreed to his idea so easily, but he wasn't going to over think it. He just hoped he didn't do or say something stupid to frak it up.
Kara knew Lee would be mad when she jumped away tomorrow, but she hoped he would understood what this night meant to her. She hoped he would not think she was selfish for agreeing to spending the night with him. Kara knew she was falling more in love with him everyday and she needed to know what it felt like to make love with him before she left.
When they reached the room Lee turned Kara so she was facing him " Are you sure Kara?"
Kara brushed her lips against his " I have never been more sure about anything in my life Lee "
Lee opened the door and let her step in first with him right behind her. He turned and locked the door then reached and turned the lights on to a dim setting. Lee leaned his back against the wall as he watched her walking around the room inspecting it before she turned and looked at him.
Lee pushed off the wall and walked over to the small counter top where he had a bottle of champagne chilling with his back still to her he asked "Would you like a glass Kara?"
Kara had walked up behind him and laid her head on his back and wrapped her arms around his waist " Yes "
Lee popped the cork and poured two glasses and left them on the counter as he turned around in her arms. He reached up with both hands and held her face as he slowly started kissing her.
Kara soaked it all up, she wanted to remember everything about tonight. She slowly pulled back and reached behind him to grab a glass of champagne " We shouldn't let this go to waste "
Lee turned and picked his up " Here's to tonight and the most beautiful woman I have ever seen " he clinked his glass to hers.
Kara blushed and they both took a sip. Kara then walked over and sat on the bed waiting for him to follow.
After he sat down Kara looked at him " What's wrong Lee?"
Lee shrugged " I guess I am afraid of fraking this up "
Kara knew she would have to take the lead, so she handed him her glass and got up then straddled his lap wrapping her legs behind him. Kara reached and took both glasses and leaned over and placed them on the night stand. Then she slowly started kissing him deepening the kiss more each second.
As they were kissing Lee reached behind him and slipped off her shoes and reached around and unzipped her dress. " Stand up Kara "
Kara knew what he wanted so she stood, Lee slowly stood up and pushed the straps off her shoulders and let the dress fall down to her waist. He reached up to feel her breasts, but she held his hand back " I think you need to lose some clothes yourself Lee "
While Lee stood there staring at her breasts she reached up and removed his sash, then his jacket and started unbuttoning his shirt until his top half was as bare as she was.
Lee pulled her close until their bare chests met and he leaned down to nibble and suck on her neck before heading back to her mouth.
Kara couldn't think she could only feel, so she had no idea that Lee had slipped her dress off until it fell to the floor around her feet. Lee sat back on the bed and looked her over thoroughly, so much so that she was blushing. Kara being Kara had to break the spell " Like what you see Captain?"
Lee blinked " You have no idea " then he reached up and pulled her onto the bed making sure she landed on her back. He stood up and after taking his pants off climbed on top of her making sure to keep his weight off of her. He leaned down and started kissing her everywhere except on her lips.
Kara reached down and snapped his boxers " You need to take those off Lee, it's only fair since I seem to be completely naked "
Lee didn't want to move from this position so he whispered in her ear after nibbling it " You take them off Kara, I'm kinda busy at the moment "
Kara laughed before he went back to kissing her and reaching up to hold a breast in one hand as he started drawing slow circles around it. Kara used her feet to push his boxers down after her hands couldn't reach them any more.
After that their kisses became more intense and they both let their hands roam over each other. They had both thought it might be awkward being their first time together. Instead it was the opposite they made love like they flew, almost as one. Kara made sure they made love several more times. The only bad thing was now she knew she couldn't live without him, she had no idea Lee was having the same thoughts.
Kara stayed snuggled up to Lee until she was sure he was asleep and she got up and found some stationary that was in the room. Kara sat down and wrote Lee a letter trying to explain her actions. After sealing the letter she made sure Lee was sleeping deeply and she slipped her dress back on and slipped out the door.
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Kara went to Mark's room hoping he was alone as she knocked on the door lightly. After a few minutes he opened the door and Kara could tell she woke him up. " I'm sorry Mark, I need to grab my clothes "
He nodded and opened the door so she could come in " Where is Lee, Kara?"
" I left him sleeping I need you to do something for me " she said quietly " I wrote Lee a letter and when the time comes I need you to give it to him, please "
Mark grabbed her arm " What are you going to do Kara?"
Kara shook her head " I can't tell you, I will let Lee know you have something for him " Kara paused " Mark could you check on Lee for me in case something happens "
Mark practically begged her " Kara please don't do whatever it is you are planning on doing "
Kara looked him in the eyes " I don't have a choice Mark, so please promise to look out for Lee for me "
Mark knew he could not change her mind " I promise Kara "
Kara hugged him and then handed him the letter " Thank you Mark"
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She made it back to the room with Lee none the wiser. When she slipped into bed he reached and pulled her close to him. Kara let silent tears fall while praying to the gods that she would make it back safely to Lee.
Lee woke up and saw Kara laying half-way on top of him. He stayed still and he watched her for a while, hoping that she would not wake up regretting what they had done. Lee felt her starting to wake up and he waited for the moment that she would remember where she was and with whom.
Kara stretched not caring that she was half on top of Lee, she looked up and saw his bright blue eyes staring at her. " Hey Lee, I just had the best nights sleep, it must have been all that loving I got last night " she grinned " What about you ?"
Lee rolled his eyes " Like you even have to ask " Lee was surprised, he didn't expect Kara to wake up in such a good mood.
Kara groaned " I don't want to leave this room, but I have a flight test to get ready for "
Lee pulled her the rest of the way so that she was laying on top of him " We might have time for one more round "
Kara could fell him coming to life " You don't have to ask me twice " she rubbed back and forth against him until he was ready. This time she sat up and slid down on him until they were fully connected. Kara kept things slow wanting to leave Lee with a good memory of them. Let let her set the pace until it got to much for him, so he flipped her over until she was under him and he picked up the pace. It wasn't long before they both let themselves go.
After laying there in silence for a while Kara moved to get up " I really need to go Lee and so do you "
Lee watched her putting back on her security clothes " When did you get those ?"
Kara turned to look at him " I went to Mark's and picked them up while you were sleeping "
" Oh " Lee said as he finally got up to get dressed " I guess I will have to put my dress uniform back on "
After they finished getting dressed they went to the landing bay where Lee had left his raptor from the night before.
After they took off he said " I have a shift in the CIC, so Keeper will be going out with you "
Kara had been looking at all the ships in the fleet knowing she had to do this if they ever wanted to find a place to call home again. She almost missed what Lee had said " Okay "
Lee could not pin point it, but Kara had seemed a little withdrawn ever since she talked with Roslin. They had a great night and he didn't want to spoil it by giving her the third degree.
After they landed they both went to shower and Kara packed a small bag to take with her just in case. Kara slipped down to the raider and put her bag inside.
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Lee and Kara were both called to the CIC. When Kara entered she came to attention and was surprised to find the president there. Moments later Lee came in and saw Roslin there also. Lee had that bad feeling again.
Adama finally told them " At ease " and went on to explain " The President wanted to be here for the test with the raider "
Kara looked over and saw Roslin watching her, so she gave her a small nod letting her know she was going through with it.
Adama was talking to her again " Captain Thrace I asked you if everything was ready?"
Kara nodded " It is sir "
Adama sighed " Then get down to the deck and lets get this over with, so we can jump to Kobol "
Kara walked past Lee and brushed her hand against his back.
Lee spoke fast " Excuse me Commander I'll be right back " and he took off out the door only to find Kara waiting for him.
Kara pulled him into an alcove and wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a gentle kiss " Thanks for last night Lee " she paused a second "I think I am falling in love with you Lee Adama "
Lee pulled back and looked at her to see if she was joking and he knew looking into her eyes she wasn't " Well that's a relief, because I am pretty sure I have already fallen in love with you "
Kara grinned and stepped away " I'll see you later "
Lee looked at her for a long time as if he needed to remember everything about her " Be careful out there Starbuck "
When Kara made it to the hangar deck Billy was standing there, she stood still waiting for him to come to her. He stuck out his hand " Good luck Captain Thrace " and she grabbed the piece of paper he had passed her during the handshake. Kara stuck it in her top pocket.
Keeper came by as she was standing there " Let's go Starbuck "
Kara looked around one last time before getting in the raider. She powered it up and left the Galactica to find Keeper waiting on her. " Hold up a minute Keeper I need to speak to the CIC "
Starbuck finished putting in the new jump coordinates that Billy had passed her " Galactica, Starbuck could you patch me through to the whole CIC?" Kara waited she knew it was an unusual request.
Finally Dee answered " Go ahead Starbuck "
Everyone in the CIC was tense except Roslin she had a pretty good idea what Starbuck was going to say.
" Commander I am sorry for what I am about to do, but you lied to us, so now I am taking the only chance we may have left to try and fix this " Kara paused " Lee I left something with Mark for you and I hope you can forgive me and I meant what I said "
Lee and Adama were both trying to talk to her, so she broke the connection and jumped away to Caprica with tears rolling down her face.
The CIC was so silent for a few seconds you could have heard a pin drop.
Adama spun around and faced Roslin " You did this, somehow you talked Starbuck into jumping back into a cylon infested Caprica " he was barely holding onto his rage. He should have known Roslin would pull something after he had turned down her request to use the raider.
Lee walked out of the CIC and caught the first raptor out heading to Cloud Nine. He had shut down and his only hope lay with whatever Kara had left with Mark.
No one on the deck even tried to question him about Starbuck after taking one look at his face. Not even the pilot who's raptor he jumped onto.
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