A Different Beginning-Chapter 41

Kara and Lee meet for the first time on the Galactica the day the cylons attack.

This is mostly an A.U. story with bits of canon thrown in, but not very much, I still hope you will enjoy reading it though.

Chapter-41

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Adama and Lee were headed to life station to meet Adam, Kara's dad. Lee was nervous, he hated to admit it even to himself, but he found it easier to talk to Adam then his own dad.

Adama was finally glad he was going to meet Kara's dad, but he found himself a little jealous knowing he would not be the only father figure in her life anymore.

Adama chuckled to himself knowing it was petty of him to be having these thoughts, especially with everything that was happening in the fleet right now.

Lee and his dad were almost at Cottle's office and Lee hoped it all went well for Kara's sake. He knew she was probably worried to death right now.

When they entered Adam was already there talking with Cottle, who stood up as they entered " It was good to meet you Adam, I'll go now and let you three talk "

Adama spoke up " Thanks for letting us use your office Major "

Cottle passed by them squeezing Lee on the shoulder " Not a problem and it's good to see you Apollo "

Lee acknowledged him " Thanks Doc "

After Cottle closed the door Lee spoke up " Adam this is my dad Commander Adama and dad this is Adam, Kara's dad "

Adama wanted to be angry with Adam for leaving Kara as a child, but he had to admit his reasons were more valid than his own because he chose his career over being with his sons.

Adam stood up to shake his hand " It's good to finally meet you commander, you have a fine son "

Adama spoke also " You too Adam and you have a great daughter who I have come to love as if she were my own, she means a lot to me and Lee "

They all sat down with Adam adding " I want to thank you for taking care of her when I could not and I know how much she loves and respects you "

Adama chuckled " Kara has made it a point of taking care of me and Lee herself, sometimes I don't know how we would have managed without her "

Lee thought everything was going okay, but he felt he needed to change the subject somewhat before they tried to one up each other over Kara. " Adam, Kara is sitting with Mark if you would like to see her before you leave "

Adam smiled at Lee, he knew what he was doing " I will, but first I want to make sure that Kara's connection with Aurora doesn't become common knowledge "

Adama frowned " I can assure you that I have taken every precaution in regards to that Adam "

Great Lee thought, now afraid his dad would get upset that Adam didn't think he knew how to protect Kara. Time for another change of topic " I think Roslin will be naming Mark her vice-president later today and Eloshi will be calling the religious sects together tomorrow to announce that Aurora's chosen one is in the fleet and we should follow who Aurora has chosen "

Adam nodded " That's good, but Aurora will not show Kara the signs to a new planet until the cylons are dealt with "

Adama spoke up " That is happening now and while they fight it out we will be looking for tylium so we can take out the cylon Hub, stopping resurrection forever "

Adam nodded slightly " Kara's safety is imperative as you know and I don't think she should fly unless there is no other choice "

Adama chuckled " I agree, so when you see her you can tell her that "

Lee laughed also " He's right Adam it is going to be difficult to keep Starbuck out of the air and if you don't care I want to be there when you tell her "

Adama stood up " It was nice to meet you Adam and I hope to see you again soon, but right now I have to get back to the CIC "

Adam got up also " You to commander and I need to visit Mark and hope Kara will stay and talk with me for a while "

Lee rose last " I'll see you soon dad I am going with Adam "

Adama glanced at Lee " I will leave first, I think you two should wait a few minutes before leaving here "

Lee sat back down " You're right, we have no idea who is out there "

Adama nodded once at Adam before stepping out.

Adam sat back down also " I think that went alright, don't you Lee?"

Lee shrugged " I guess, dad is very protective of Kara, he knew her a while before I ever met her " he chuckled "Sometimes I think he loves her more than me "

Adam shook his head " He loves you Lee, I just think fathers tend to want to protect their daughters more, even when they don't think they need protecting, especially if that person is Kara "

Lee snorted " Somehow I don't think many women are like Kara " he glanced at his watch " I think it is safe to leave now "

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As soon as Adama entered the CIC he knew something had happened or Racetrack wouldn't be there. " Someone tell me what is going on "

Boomer spoke up " Sir, I believe we need to take this somewhere private and we need Racetrack to go with us "

Adama nodded " Gaeta you have command, the rest of you follow me "

Gaeta wished he knew what was going on, but after what Dee had done the commander kept a small consul that included a cylon of all things.

After they sat down in the situation room which was becoming very familiar Adama asked again " Okay, now fill me in "

Tigh spoke up " I think Boomer should tell you she can explain it better than I can "

Adama nodded.

Boomer started out " First I don't know if you are aware, but Racetrack knows everything we do " Adama nodded once more, so Boomer continued " Caprica contacted me and said they had the Simon's on their side splitting the cylons down the middle " she paused to take a breath " Caprica and Natalie have control of two base stars and are going after Cavil, she also gave me coordinates to the Hub, but asked us to hold off until she was sure they had succeeded " again she paused a beat " She also gave me the location of a tylium planet the cylons know about and Racetrack ran a recon on Colonel Tighs orders "

It took Adama a minute to process all the information " What did you find Racetrack?"

She cleared her throat " It is definitely a tylium planet and has about ten heavy raiders patrolling it "

Boomer added " Sir, I think with the right plan we can take them out quickly, but we need to go now "

Adama agreed, but he needed to let Lee and Kara in on this and to do that he would have to call her away from Adam sooner than he liked, but the military came first " Tigh could you call put out a ship wide call for Captains Adama and Thrace to meet us here asap?"

Tigh nodded and got up and used the call box in the room " Captain Thrace and Captain Adama please report to situation room one asap "

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Kara had been visiting with Mark while Lee introduced her dad to Adama and she was nervous about them meeting. She needed them to like each other, so she wouldn't have to worry about hurting either of them especially the old man. He had always been there for her ever since she first met him, in a strange way he seemed more like a father to her than her own.

Mark could tell Kara was anxious by the way she kept turning to look at the curtain to his room whenever someone came near. " Kara you are worrying about nothing, I know Adam and he will not say or do anything wrong, he knows how much this means to you "

Kara smiled at him " Am I that obvious?"

Mark chuckled " Yes you are, now relax and tell me what I need to do or say to Roslin if she offers me the job "

Kara nodded " Listen to what her plans are as often as you can and always act like you agree with her, that way it will be easier for her not to suspect you "

Just as she finished she heard a noise and looked back to see Lee and Adam entering Mark's room. " Hey "

Lee walked over to where she was sitting on the side of the bed facing Mark as they talked and after giving her a quick kiss shook Mark's hand " How are you feeling today Mark?"

Mark crossed his eyes at Lee " Better, ready to get out of her and back in my own bed "

Adam finally walked up and put a hand on Kara's shoulder " Kara it is good to see you and Mark the restaurant is doing fine, so don't worry about it "

Mark knew no one would bring up the elephant in the room, so he did " How did the meeting go with Adam and the commander Lee?"

Kara rolled her eyes at Mark.

Lee smiled " I think it went well as for as first meetings go "

Adam finally walked forward and turned to face Kara " Do you think we could talk for a while?"

Kara was about to say ' yes ' when the call came over the speakers. " Later, but for right now duty calls, we had better go Lee something major must be happening, sorry dad "

Lee shook Adam's hand as he was leaving " I will try to free her up some time later " and he followed Kara out.

Mark laughed " I guess it is just me and you, Maggie seems to have disappeared also "

Adam sat down and after talking for a while President Roslin walked in.

Adam stood as she walked in knowing who she was from having seen her before " Hello Madame President I am Adam a friend of Mark's and co-owner of the restaurant on Cloud Nine "

Roslin extended her hand " It is nice to finally meet you, I actually need to speak with Mark alone, if that's alright?"

Adam nodded " Sure, I need to get back anyway, I'll see you when they release you tomorrow Mark "

Mark glanced at him " I can't wait to get out of here and eat something good, bye Adam "

After Adam left Roslin took his seat " I met with the quorum and they have agreed, but would like to meet with you as soon as possible "

Mark looked at her a little worried " Why so soon?"

Roslin snorted " We are hoping to get a jump on Eloshi before she tries to change everyone's mind "

That was what Kara had been worried about and it was going to happen sooner than she thought, he needed to get word to her, but how?

Roslin cleared her throat " I hope you are still planning on being my vice president "

Mark would figure out how to get word to Kara later " I am, I will be released tomorrow around noon, so I can meet the quorum anytime after that "

Roslin smiled and patted his hand " I was hoping you would say that, so I will set the meeting for one o'clock tomorrow on Colonial One so you can stop by on your way back to Cloud Nine "

Mark needed to know just how fast she was planning on making this happen " When will I be sworn in?"

Roslin smirked " Tomorrow before Eloshi can hold her meeting, we are both going to attend it "

Mark nodded hoping he would be able to help Kara like she thought " I need to rest now, but I will see you at one o'clock tomorrow Madame President "

Roslin stood up to leave " I am counting on you Mark, don't let me down " she said right before leaving.

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As Kara and Lee headed to the meeting Kara asked " Do you think they liked each other?"

Lee grabbed her hand and gave it a quick squeeze " I think so, but I am pretty sure they respected each other and that is a step in the right direction "

Kara nodded " I can't help but wonder what is happening now, it seems like every time we turn around something has changed or is different "

Lee stopped her by grabbing her hand to stop her and after making sure they were alone he said " Adam said that as long as the cylons are still threats that Aurora won't show you the signs to our new home "

Kara shrugged " I kinda figured that out myself already and she is wise not to "

After that they continued on in silence until they reached the situation room entering together to find the commander, Tigh, Boomer and Racetrack waiting on them.

After they sat down Kara asked " So, what's going on now?"

Everyone looked at Boomer to explain it to the two of them, which she did.

Kara snorted " I knew Simon would give in "

Lee spoke up " Are we just supposed to sit here while they fight it out and hope Caprica can beat Cavil?"

Boomer sighed " Apollo we can't risk getting involved, plus our mission should be the tylium "

Adam spoke up " Boomer is right we need to move on the tylium planet now and Starbuck and Apollo I need you two and Boomer to come up with a plan to take out the heavy raiders "

Boomer interjected " Sir, I think Athena should help them, I need to stay in the CIC in order to assist Caprica and Natalie if I have to "

Adama nodded " You're right, Apollo the three of you need to come up with a plan in the next two hours, so run Athena down and get started, you are both dismissed "

Lee and Kara both saluted before leaving.

Adama looked at Tigh " We can't leave the fleet, so let the fleet Captains know we will be jumping soon and give them the coordinates Racetrack has "

Adama waited until Colonel Tigh left then looked at Racetrack " Since you found the tylium I want you to lead six raptors and have them set up a patrol around the planet after the vipers take them out, you can go now and prep them, I also want an evac raptor with the vipers " Racetrack saluted " Yes sir "

With Racetrack gone that left Adama alone with Boomer " I need you to find out if Leobon has connected with any base stars since he down loaded, I have a feeling he will try to get to Starbuck " he paused " If we send a raptor to see if the Hub is where it is supposed to be will it know we are there?"

Boomer thought about if for a moment " Probably, but if we use one of the heavy raiders it should not suspect anything, the only problem will be choosing the right pilot to fly it "

Adama seemed to think about that " Could you stay in touch with Caprica if you flew the recon mission?"

Boomer nodded " Yes, as long as I am able to contact the Galactica if I have to "

Adama stood up " I will have Gaeta set something up in the raider and I want you to go as soon as he is finished, things are going to be happening fast and we need to be prepared "

Boomer saluted and walked out heading down to the raider to wait on Gaeta.

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Kara and Lee knew Athena would be at her raptor training course, which she didn't need, but was required to complete it before joining the military and be able to fly.

Lee had no problem interrupting her class and pulling her out telling the instructor she was needed.

After Athena joined them they explained the plan to her as they headed to one of the planning rooms.

Later after Apollo and Starbuck finally agreed on the viper formation attack Athena spoke up " If I ride in the evac raptor I can shut the raiders down so they will not be able to report what is happening buying us time to load the tylium "

Starbuck chuckled " That would make it a whole lot easier, we need to get this plan to the Commander now, and since I can't fly yet I am going to ask the commander to let me join the ground units "

Lee spoke up " Kara are you sure that is wise, Leobon is still out there somewhere?"

Kara rolled her eyes " Look the vipers are taking out the raiders and I'm sure Leobon will be nowhere near the tylium planet and I am tired of sitting on my ass doing nothing, okay Captain?"

Athena chuckled " She makes a good point "

Lee shot her an angry look " Fine you can ask, but I don't think the commander will agree "

They headed back to situation room one and waited on the commander to join them.

Adama took a seat " What have you come up with?"

Lee started explaining " We need the Galactica to jump in long enough for us to launch a viper squadron then jump back out "

Athena spoke up changing the plan a bit " I need to jump ahead in the evac raptor right before the Galactica to shut the raiders transmissions down before the vipers launch "

Adama nodded " Sounds good, anything else?"

Starbuck spoke " Sir, I would like to join a ground unit team since I can't fly and before you say no I want to stress that I am tired of sitting on the sidelines and I will be perfectly safe "

Adama thought about it " Lee I assume you will be leading the vipers and Athena you will be blocking communications, so I think it will be safe enough for Starbuck to lead a ground unit, but at the first sign of trouble I want you off that planet, do you understand Starbuck?"

Kara couldn't keep the smile off her face " Yes sir and if it's alright I would like to pick my team "

Adama smiled " I thought you would, alright go get ready we are leaving in twenty minutes, dismissed "

Once they were outside Kara grinned at Lee " You see even your dad thinks I will be safe Apollo "

Athena chuckled " I will meet you guys on the hangar deck "

Kara grabbed Lee and backed him against the bulkhead and kissed him before pulling back " You watch you six out there Apollo and I will see you afterwards " she started walking away and turned back " Oh and Lee I love you "

Lee grinned " Love you too Kara "

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Racetrack trotted to the life station to tell Mark bye " I am leading a mission and will be gone for a while, but I will come see you as soon as I return "

Mark looked at her " Is it safe?"

Maggie grinned " Yes, it is about as safe as a mission can be "

Mark nodded " I need to speak to Kara, where is she?"

Maggie sat on the corner of his bed " Starbuck is also a part of the mission and so is Apollo, I can tell her something if you want me too "

Mark smiled " Roslin came by and the quorum has accepted me, but they want to meet me before Eloshi's meeting tomorrow and I needed to ask Kara some things "

Maggie leaned over and kissed him " We should all be back later tonight I will tell her you need to see her " she stood up " I have to go we are leaving as soon as the Galactica jumps "

Mark called her name when she reached the curtain to leave " Maggie be safe "

Maggie winked st him and trotted to the hangar deck to find people scrambling everywhere.

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Adama was waiting in the CIC for Boomer to come back and report in, after several minutes the alarms started blaring, but Adama knew dradis was picking up the heavy raider, but asked for ident to be sure.

Boomer hailed them as soon as she jumped back " Galactica actual this is Boomer, everything checks out "

Adama sighed relieved " Come on home Boomer we will be jumping soon "

Apollo called in " All vipers are ready to go Galactica "

Racetrack reported in " Raptors are ready and on stand by "

Athena was piloting, but Helo checked in " We are ready to jump on your mark Galactica "

Adama looked around the CIC and after seeing Boomer he was ready " Athena you have a go, we will follow in three minutes "

They all waited as Athena launched and knew they would soon follow " Apollo to all vipers the second we jump we are launching ' Lee paused " Racetrack give us five minutes and then jump, so the Galactica can jump back to the fleet "

Lee cleared his throat " The two raptors carrying the ground units I want you back on patrol after dropping them off, let's get this done quick guys "

Adama spoke loud and clear " We are jumping in ten, nine eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two one jump"

The whole hangar deck compiled of vipers and raptors was ready to launch as soon as they felt the pull of the ftl jump.

Athena true to her word had shut the raiders communications down " We have about ten minutes before they reboot, so hurry "

The vipers were quickly taking out the raiders while Racetrack's team patrolled the area and soon they would be able to bring the tanker in.

Kara and her unit along with three others were on the ground in case there were centurions around.

What she didn't know was that Leobon had been hiding waiting for a chance at the tylium, but then he saw Kara and knew he had to get her now.

At the same time in the CIC Boomer checked to see if Leobon had been stupid enough to connect and to her horror he had, she walked as fast as she could to stand next to Adama " Sir, I checked on Leobon and he did connect looking for tylium and he is now down on the planet where Starbuck is "

Adama fist suddenly slammed down on the tactile table " Frak, get me Racetrack now "

Racetrack had no idea what the Galactica could want " Galactica, Racetrack here sir "

" Racetrack this is actual, I need eyes on Starbuck now, Leobon is down on the planet "

Apollo cut in " Why in the frak didn't we know he would be there?"

Adama tried to speak calmly " We just found out Captain, it seems he needed tylium himself, he probably doesn't even know she is down there "

Apollo cut back in " I am landing now Galactica and I won't return without her "

Adama spoke louder " Captain Adama you are ordered to return to the Galactica now "

Lee shouted " Are you frakking insane or did you forget how important she is and you know I am not talking personally either "

Adama shut his eyes, Lee was right they had to find Kara now " Bommer let Caprica know what is happening, Athena I need you to land and search for clues and all marines are ordered to help you "

Adama knew Lee had already landed and there was nothing he could do about it, but one cylon could not stop them from getting the tylium, so Adama ordered the tanker in to load up with tylium while they searched for Kara.

He had to stay with the fleet and get reports from his pilots and marines.

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