Colonial One, 0900 hours; somewhere in deep space, 1200 light years from New Kobol.
Roslin was sitting behind her desk while looking at the two numbers on the white board. Once number was for the Colonials heading to the nuclear wasteland that the Earth officers had told them about, and the other number indicated the number of people heading for the new planet that they had christened New Kobol. She knew that the Vice-President and the others had already reached the planet, and hoped that they were doing well… and had made preliminary preparation for the rest of the fleet.
She already talked to Commander Adama the previous day, once it was confirmed which ships would be heading to the nuked planet. She remembered the Commander, Colonel Tigh and Major Adama sitting in front of her as she discussed her plan.
"We can have the Galactica in orbit" said the President as Commander Adama nodded his head, "we'll still have her to protect us in case something bad does happen."
"Like any rogue Cylons that happen to come across us" said the Commander, "I can have a crew to man a limited number of Vipers that could conduct a CAP around the Galactica and any other shop unable to land on the surface, and have at least ten alert vipers ready on the Galactica. I've left training of the nuggets to Major Adama, and Captain Thrace when we get to the planet."
"At least we'll have crew rotation" said the Colonel as the President nodded her head.
"Which is why we need some new pilots" said the Commander as he looked at the Major who nodded his head before tell the old man that he's already selected an initial six people for training on the vipers, including Anders.. one of the resistance that Starbuck had rescued from Caprica.
The group then talked about landing the other ships on the surface and using them as shelter until more could be built, and at the same time they'll be doing their own part.
"But we'll discuss logistics with the Earth personnel" said the President, "now, about the others who were left in the Colonies, and Cain."
"If there is this so called Gate to the Stars on New Kobol, maybe there is one that connects it to Caprica, or any of the other Colonies?" said Colonel Tigh, "we could have them show us how to make the connection, and then we could mount a rescue operation.. bringing our people back to a new home. Away from the radioactive wastelands."
"That's a good idea, Colonel" said Apollo while the Colonel just nodded his head as Commander Adama gave a small smile, especially since the both of them hardly agreed on a lot of things, "but now the question becomes where do we find Admiral Cain?"
"If were her" said the Commander, "I'd go back to the Colonies. I suspect that the Ori were behind the recent quiet given that the Cylon attacks on the fleet completely stopped… and if I were her, I would join with them to continue fighting the Cylons. Which means that, and this is the part that I am extremely fearful off… if I were in her position… I would ask for offensive and defensive technology that would help me find, and destroy whatever Cylons remain."
"I honestly don't see a bad thing in that" said Colonel Tigh with a chuckle before he looked at the frown in the Commander's face as he leaned back on the chair her was sitting on, "but then again, she could use those weapons against us."
"Maybe we could ask the Earthers for any technology?" said the President.
"They were adamant during our first meeting on New Kobol that they don't share any military technology" said Apollo, "but maybe if we make our case once we reach the planet… maybe we can change their minds."
"Maybe" said the Commander as he looked at the President who was now sitting back on his chair.
Back in the present day, the President continued to looked ta the numbers on the white board before she sighed. She knew that she was losing people, people that should be going together to their new home, however, it wasn't going to be that way. Today was the day that she was supposed to meet with Zarek, the man who was leading the dissident fleet to the nuked planet, with Porter at his side.
'I still cant believe that they convinced that many people' thought Roslin to herself as she turned around after Tory walked into her office and told her that Zarek was coming on board. Nodding her head, the President stood up as Zarek walked into her cabin as Tory stood at her left side. Zarek just stood there looking at Roslin before he gave a small smile and reached out with his hand.
"Madam President" said Zarek as he held his hand out, waiting for the President to shake it.
Roslin didn't like the man standing before her, but she knew that he was still a Colonial citizen and that he was one of her people. Roslin walked around her desk and stood in front of him, looked down at his hand, and then looking up at his face. She then took his hand in hers, and shook it.
"Think about what you're doing, Tom" said Roslin as she stepped forward, "you've seen the evidence of our independent findings on that world."
"You know why we have to do this, Laura" said Zarek, "the fact of the matter is that we don't trust you, or your administration. How can we be sure that this wasn't a trick by you to win the election? This is something we have to do on our own."
"You can do what you want, Zarek" said Roslin with both her hands at her side, "I've already informed the Earth officers to have you sent to New Kobol once you've found that we weren't lying to you."
"And what if we want to go somewhere else?" asked Zarek.
"That's your choice" said Roslin, "despite the fact that I despise you, and Porter, for splitting the fleet like you did? I still see you and her, and the others who'll be leaving us, as fellow Colonial citizens. You are people free to do what you want. Just know that you'll be forever be known as the man who split the fleet. Not me, I'm doing my job in getting us home."
"Home was supposed to be Earth" said Zarek, "not some planet provided to us by possible Cylons. You were supposed to be our saviour, remember? But you've turned out to be the one who will kill us all."
"Good luck, Zarek" said Roslin as she nodded towards the exit.
"Madam President" smiled Zarek as he gave Roslin a bow before turning around and walking out of the cabin. She then turned to Tory, and sighed. She then went back to her chair, pressed a button on her wireless as Zarek's shuttle was boarded by the man before it disengaged from Colonial One's hull and was returning to the Astral Queen.
Roslin looked at the green, rectangular shaped device that was now connected to the entire fleet as she started to speak.
"My fellow citizens of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol" said the President as everyone throughout the fleet - from the Galactica, to the Astral Queen and to even the Vipers that were flying the CAP around the fleet led by Apollo, all of them heard as Roslin sighed before continuing, "we have finally reached a crossroads, literally. As all of you know, we will be having nearly twenty one thousand of our fellow citizens leaving for another world… a world that they believe is a paradise and was not destroyed in nuclear fire, despite all the evidence presented. Many of you may be asking why I'm letting them go, it's very easy.. they have free will. They are choosing to go despite everything that we've learned, and I… and I have to let them go. My… my hearth breaks to see this fleet, this family, break up. But it is my belief that sometimes we have to make a break so that we can look to the future. The remaining fleet will be heading towards New Kobol, our new home. The people that are leaving us are more than welcome to join us at New Kobol from the nuked planet, I have made a request that anyone who wished to join us at New Kobol do so through the use of the Gate to the Stars. The officers from Earth will help you to join us, but for now.. all I can say is, stay safe. Look after one another… and… and when you see the truth, I urge all of you to come to New Kobol. This is President Laura Roslin, signing off.. take care, and be well… so say we all."
Battlestar Galactica, at that same time.
"So say we all" said the Commander as he hung his head and looked at the table in front of him, and the rest of the CIC staff together.
The Commander looked up at Colonel Tigh after listening to the President. The old man then looked at Lt. Gaeta, Helo, Captain Kelly and the other CIC staff and told them to prepare for their first jump after the rest of the fleet jumped out. The Colonel turned to Dee and ordered her to call all Vipers and Raptors back to the Galactica. Once Lt. Gaeta saw on his screen that the shuttle carrying Zarek landed inside the Astral queen, the lieutenant turned around and told the Commander and Colonel that the ship was getting ready to jump.
"This is it" said Colonel Tigh as he looked at the Commander who looked back at him and nodded his head.
Helo looked up at the DRADIS screen before he counted down from five. It was a few tense seconds later that there came reports from Lt. Gaeta of the first few ships that were following Zarek jumping away. The large flotilla of ships that made up the Colonial remnant fleet started to slowly dwindle down as one ship after another vanished in flash of bright white light. Soon, the last ship jumped away just as the last Viper piloted by Apollo landed in the flight pod. Thirty five ships in total had left the fleet with nearly forty percent of the entire population. As Apollo landed his Viper among all the others, he thought about how massive that number was, the number of people they were losing to a foolish quest, and then he shook his head. He watched as the Galactica flight pods were slowly retracting in preparation for their home to a new home. He knew that it would take some time, to get to that planet since they would have to synchronize the Galactica's jump range with those ships that had a much limited range. As he leaned back on the seat in his cockpit, Apollo looked on as the pods completed being retracted into the body of the giant vessel before Commander Adama's voice came in through the speakers.
"This is Commander Adama to the fleet leaving for New Kobol, jump."
Apollo knew that the smaller ships would jump first with the Galactica going last. He waited for a few minutes before he felt something pulling him along, and then a tingling feeling went through his body before there was a flash of light. Then his father's voice came on the speakers again to say that the first jump was complete.
'We're going home' thought Apollo to himself as he manoeuvred his Viper to the large elevator that would bring him down to the flight deck.
New Kobol, 0930 hours (takes place same time as Willow and Colonel Carter are at Farrow-Marshal).
Racetrack slowly opened her eyes to the sounds of birds. She found herself surrounded by a green curtain that completely covered her cot for privacy. Turning onto her back, she found herself looking at the ceiling of the refugee unit before a smile spread on her face. She remembered having arrived with Starbuck, Baltar, Billy, the Vice-President and the two quorum members the previous day. The young woman remembered sleeping for awhile before Major Atwood, Riley, Dr. Burke and a few translator were showing the newly arrived Colonials around the camp. It was after the tour that they managed to sit down and talk to the ones who had arrived earlier. Racetrack and Starbuck could see that they were still suspicious of the military personnel, however the two of them didn't blame them after what happened. Billy was a great help in defusing the tension between the two members of the military, and the people they were talking to.
Racetrack's smile widened when she remembered talking to Major Atwood again the previous day. The young woman had come to check in on them after the briefing, and before the tour, to make sure that everything was alright… and to make sure that they were briefed on what they would be seeing in the tour.
New Kobol, 1130 hours; the previous day.
"This is nice" said Starbuck as she lay down on the cot while looking up at the ceiling in her tanned undershirt, "I mean compared to the bunks in Galactica? Yeah, this is nice."
"I agree" said Racetrack as she lay on her back looking the ceiling with her hands behind her head, and one foot over the other, "for once, I.. I really don't know what we should do now."
"Well" said Starbuck as she turned and looked at Racetrack, "I know what you want to do."
"Sir" smirked Racetrack as she noticed from the corner of her eyes that Starbuck had sat up and was looking at her with a grin plastered on her face.
"So" said the blonde, "tell me about the strapping man that's got you in such a twist."
"I.. I don't know what you're talking about, sir" said Racetrack as she felt her ears warm up, "he's just a friend."
"Uh huh" said Starbuck, "sure… if you say so… so you don't mind If I have my way with him then?"
"Sir" said Racetrack as Starbuck started to laugh before lying down again. Racetrack turned her head and looked at the blonde officer as she closed her eyes while smiling before she looked up at the ceiling as well and opened her mouth to speak, "he… umm… he asked me to watch an Earth movie."
"OOOOH!" said Starbuck as she jumped up and turned to look at Racetrack, "this is new. What movie? I mean, what's it about?"
"Something about man versus machines" said Racetrack as she looked at Starbuck who had her eues open wide in surprise, "something about time travel being involved too… even one of these time travelling Cyborg's being a hero."
"Oh" said the blonde with an eyebrow raised in surprised before she , "well, you can expect me to be joining you for this movie."
"But.. I…" said Racetrack as she felt her face getting hotter, "I mean I….."
"Aha! I knew it!" shouted Starbuck as she excitedly pointed at Racetrack, "you do like him."
"Sir" said Racetrack as they heard someone knocking on their door. Grinning at Racetrack as she stood up, the blonde officer walked over to the door and opened it to find Atwood and the translator standing outside, asking If they could come in.
"Yes" said Starbuck as she stepped to the side and let the British officer, and her translator, into the unit. She told them that if hey were ready, they would be meeting with the other newly arrived Colonials for a tour around the camp. Atwood watched on as Starbuck nodded at Racetrack before the both of them followed her out of the unit, and onto the open air outside. As they were walking towards the rendezvous point, Atwood mentioned that the section of the Colonial fleet heading towards the nuked planet needn't worry.
"Major Thompson and his team will be there for the next two months" said Atwood as her words were translated. She and the translator glanced back at Racetrack who was giving off a small smile while Starbuck continued to playfully harass her before looking at themselves and shaking their heads. The group, led by Dr. Burke, showed the Colonials around the camp and the surrounding areas including tours of the other units. They watched as men and women from the Army Corp of Engineers were setting up new units that had just arrived from Earth.
Following the tour, and then a later lunch, the Vice-President told Dr. Burke that it was only right that the Colonial's help in building their new home. The man then arranged to have any of the Colonials in the camp who were able, help in setting up the new units. Dr. Burke spoke to Riley before telling the Vice-President that there should be a problem and that translators will be on hand to show them how to create the new units.
"The majority of the Colonials will be housed in those crystal towers you've seen" said Dr. Burke as she spoke with the Vice-President as Baltar and the others sat at the same table, the Vice-President no Billy wanting his out of their sight, "we've built some already as you;ve seen, and someone from Earth will be along sometime tomorrow to meet with you and the President's aide to discuss new locations where more of these could be built."
"If you don't mind me asking" said Baltar as he leaned forward. Immediately once he opened his mouth, the man could see that the Vice-President, and Billy were glaring at him.. however, he knew that the possibility was high that he'll be sent away.. so he didn't care for decorum much anymore. He just had questions that needed to be answered, "how long does it take to build those towers?"
"Not long" said Riley as Dr. Burke translated, "one of our allies has experience in the use of crytal technology to build structures."
"That… that's not possible" said Baltar as the others looked on in surprise after what Riley said was translated, "that technology…"
"The proof is right outside" said Dr. Burke, "they just program the crystals, that then grow the towers. It's the same thing we're doing for the Cylons on their new homeworld, however, their population is more than yours so they'll be converting some of their large ships into living areas."
"I will say that as long as the Cylons and the Colonials remain separated" said the Vice-President, "there shouldn't be a problem."
"There is one thing we neglected to ask" said Billy, "will you be offering shielding technology to the Cylons as well?"
"Given that they are a people that's going extinct?" said Riley, "yes. The Ori are still out there, as are the Goa'uld and the Lucien Alliance, so yes… we're offering shielding technology for defensive purposes… but installation of that technology will be done by our people for both Cylon, and Colonial vessels."
"You do understand that they're technically not a people?" asked Starbuck, "they're still machines."
"Maybe they are" said Dr. Burke, "but they're still a race of sentient beings, and we won't stand by and watched them become extinct."
'Especially not if they're the descendents of the organic Furling drones' thought Dr. Burke to herself as the Colonial's looked at each other. She knew that the one thought that was going through their mind concerned the information about the shielding technology that was being given to the Cylons, 'they don't want Baltar to work with the Cylons with that technology. They probably would rather have him close by instead of working with the enemy on something as important as this.'
Dr. Burke then looked at Riley before leaning towards him and telling him her thoughts on the matter, to which the man agreed and nodded his head. He told the doctor that it was possible that the Colonials would change their minds. It was after lunch that their thoughts were confirmed. Atwood and Rogers most of the group outside the Mess tent where they had lunch so that they could mingle with the others Colonials. Dr. Burke and Riley were left alone with Billy, Baltar and the Vice-President who made their concerns regarding Baltar working with the Cylons and the shielding technology. Dr. Burke and Riley glanced at each other knowing that they were right before looking at the Colonials before them.
Billy said that once the President arrives, he'll talk to her about having Baltar stay on the planet so that she, and those who know what he did, could keep a close eye on him.
"I doubt that she'll want him even near that technology" said the Vice-President as he glared at Baltar.
"If I may say something?" said Baltar, sure that he needed to convince the others that he can remain useful to them, "you realize that I'm the only one among us who has the vaguest inkling of how the shielding system would work, and how to interface it with our power source? Without me, it would take a long time for any Earth engineers to try and…."
"No" said the Vice-President as Dr Burke translated for Riley's benefit, "I'm sure that the people we have on the Galactica would be able to handle learning this new technology, and…."
"Mr. Vice-President" said Baltar as he looked at the man, and then at Billy, "I know what I did is unforgivable. I know that I can never make amends… I can't even begin a place to start making amends… but Colonial citizen or not, this is still my people we're talking about. I'm not excusing myself for my involvement in the Fall of the Colonies, and the fact being that I really believed the Number Eight was going to steal information that would help her company bid for a new government contract. I did what I did to, what I thought at the time, to protect the Colonies from the Cylons. Now the fact is that I can't say I'm sorry, because saying sorry doesn't forgive what I did… I know it doesn't. But I know I'm the smartest person you have right now who can make sense f this technology. So please, use me.. you can have guards with me at all times… I mean you'll be placing the Earth engineers under guard if Commander Adama and the President gives them permission to…"
"Dr. Baltar" said the Vice-President as he put his hand up to stop the man from rambling on, "if it were up to me, I would send you to the Gate to the Stars to another planet were we'll never see you again. That's my honest answer to you."
"But you won't" said Baltar.
"The President would prefer you to be with the Cylons so that she, or any of the people you admitted what you did, does not inadvertently kill you" said the Vice-President before he looked at Riley and Dr. Burke, "and I'm sure that Dr. Burke's people have people who are just as smart as you."
"And we're not just talking about installing the system, or showing us how to use it" said Balter, "I'm talking about slowly making improvements on it and.. and I don't think that their people with maintain the systems forever. Yes, they can train the engineers in the fleet.. and on the Galactica, but not everyone can help improvement on how the shield uses power or…"
"Dr. Baltar" said Billy as the man shut up and looked at each other.
"This is something that's between you guys" said Riley, "we'll be helping with the installation of the shielding system, and we'll have people on hand to train your engineers. And they are very smart people; but if you want him involved.. then it's completely up to you."
"Perhaps it would be best if you discuss this with your President?" asked Dr. Burke.
"We will" said the Vice-President as he turned and glared at Baltar, "we see what she had to say."
"I.. I just want to do something to help" said Baltar.
It was then that Dr. Burke told the three of them that while they were being checked out in the medical building, they were being discretely checked by a handheld devices created by their engineers to detect Cylons.
"You may not have seen it" said Dr. Burke who had he hands in her pockets while talking to the surprised group, "but we conducted a scan and found that none of you are Cylons. So if you…"
"You have a working Cylon detector?" asked Baltar in surprise.
"Guess they managed to do something that you failed to do" said Billy before he mentioned how the man ran tests on all personnel but he was never able to tell that Sharon 'Boomer' Valerii was a Cylon agent… not before she shot Commander Adama.
Baltar, however, just took that hit from the President's aide. The truth was that he did know the detector worked, that he had tested Sharon's blood and found that she was a Cylon; that he never mentioned it to anyone because they didn't give him the respect her thought he deserved on the Galactica. He knew that if he said anything now, then he'd be even more trouble than he already was.. so he kept his mouth shut.
"Yes" said Riley as Dr. Burke translated, "we do have a detector. And in case you decided to have Dr. Baltar here work with one of our engineers on the shielding technology, we can use the device and confirm that he's not working with a Cylon."
The Vice-President and Billy looked at each other before nodding their heads. The decided to talk to the President about Baltar's request, and how they could run scans on the entire fleet before they landed so that they could weed out any models of Cylons they didn't know about. It was Dr. Burke who requested that if they find any Cylons on the fleet, that they be handed over to the Cylons on Eden.
However, all the Vice-President could say was that it was up to the President who'll be talking with Dr. Burke and any of the Earth representatives if they are available. It was following that meeting that the Vice-President and Billy talked to Racetrack, Starbuck and the two Quorum members about the shielding technology, and the Cylon detector that Earth developed.
New Kobol, 0930 hours (Present Day.)
Racetrack thought about what they had talked about the shielding technology the previous night as they sat at the banks on a large lake with some of the other Colonials. As the young woman sat up slowly before stretching her arms over her head and yawning, she thought about the television programmes they used to watch on Caprica and Picon about ships that explored the galaxy that had energy shields, energy weapons and even missiles made of energy. She smiled as she got up while thinking that now, they would be getting those types of shields.. shields that she thought only existed in television. As she rolled the curtain around her cot open, she could hear snoring from the next cot what was surrounded by a curtain.
Racetrack smiled as Starbuck just kept on sleeping, and snowing. She knew that everyone had suffered from the fall of the Colonies and Galactica's ace pilot was no different. Racetrack head the rumours, and had seen firsthand of some of the things that other called the blonde, and hoped that maybe now Starbuck could relax a little and calm down.
'We've got help now' thought Racetrack to herself as she walked over to the sink on one end and washed her face. She collected the clear liquid in the palms of her hands and splashed it on her face before turning off the tap and looking at the mirror. She could see the bags under her eyes thanks to having done extra shifts during the great move; when people moved in large numbers from one ship to another before the ones that were heading to the planet the President called Cylon Earth left the fleet.
Racetrack hated to see so many peple leave the fleet, but she was also glad that she made the decision to settle on the planet. She fell in love with the fresh air, the grass lands, the trees and the blue sky ever since the first time they arrived on this planet. The truth was that ever since that first meeting, she was the one who volunteered to fly out to New Kobol.. she wanted to get out of space, out of Galactica.
She continued to look at the mirror as a small smile appeared on her face as she recalled her nervousness at realizing that she would need to walk through the Stargate, she remembered Major Thompson gently pushing her through the blue water and then arriving instantly on New Kobol. She really didn't remember the intervening period before she left the planet, or she did remember but if wasn't something that made her smile as when she left with the Major back to Cylon Earth. She remembered the story that he told her that made her fall asleep, and she remembered showing off with the Raptor before they left the planet for the Galactica.
Racetrack smiled when Apollo ribbed on her for what she did.
"Your secret is safe with me" said Apollo as he finished laughing after he and Racetrack finished their post-flight checks on the Galactica.
Wiping her hands, Racetrack then looked behind her at the closed curtain that surrounded Starbuck's cot before she opened the front door of the refugee unit and walked out into the warm sunlight. Racetrack closed the door as she feel the warmth, and a small breeze, hit her before she walked towards the showers in one end of the camp.
The Colonials were going to help with building more refugee units while more of the crystal towers were being built to house them.
'The refugee units are temporary anyway' though the pilot to herself.
Racetrack knew that some of the earlier arrivals with the Tollan, and some of the ones from the Pegasus' abandoned fleet had already been relocated to some of the quarters in the towers. The only ones who remained off the previous arrivals were the ones who were still sick from having eaten human flesh, and the Vice-President, Baltar, Billy and the two Quorum members. She recalled the Vice-President saying that he'll stay in the units for now until the rest of the fleet has been housed.
'The planner is supposed to be coming from Earth to meet with the Vice-President, the Quorum members, and Billy today to discuss relocation of the fleet' thought Racetrack to herself, 'hah.. crystal buildings that are grown… amazing.'
It would be several hours later that the Galactica and the rest of the fleet would appear over New Kobol, but until then… Racetrack and the others would enjoy the tranquillity of the planet until the rest of their people arrived.
Infirmary, SGC, 1245 hours.
It was thirty minutes since Willow, Colonel Carter, Vala and SG-14 had rescued the remainder of SG-1 from the hands of the Lucien Alliance. Colonel Mitchell and the others were taken to the infirmary where Dr. Lam checked on their injuries. She stitched the cut over Colonel Mitchell's eye after Willow offered to heal it, but declined; saying that it made him look cool.
"I agree" sad Vala who was on another bed grinning at the Colonel as she and the others were undergoing their post mission checks.
Willow smiled as she heard what Vala was saying behind Faith before she loked at her wife. The redhead asked the Slayer if she wanted her to heal the wound, a cut on her cheek, or if she wanted her Slayer healing to care of it.. with the dark haired one saying that she'll wait for her Slayer healing to take care of it.
Faith: "It's nothing major, Red"
Willow just smiled at Faith, and nodded her head.
It was at that time that the double doors opened as Dawn, with Jon in tow, walked into the infirmary concerned. Willow grinned at Dawn who walked up to her while Jon stood at attention close by.
"At ease, Captain" said both Colonel Carter and Mitchell as they looked at General O'Neill's clone.
"Isn't this your day off?" asked Colonel Cater as Jon nodded his head.
"Yes, ma'am" said Jon, "Dawn called the SGC asking for Major Rosenberg and well, here we are."
"Ah" said Colonel Mitchell as he watched Dawn and Willow talking to each other before Dr. Lam said that they were to take some rest following their briefing with General Landry. The two Colonel's nodded their heads before they got up off the beds and joined Teal'c, Daniel, and Vala. After Willow told them to go ahead, that Dawn had something to tell her and Faith, the remaining members of SG-1 headed towards the briefing room while SG-14 was ordered to go home before their next mission which was a few days from now.
"So" said Dawn which her hands on her hips and an eyebrow raised after SG-1, and SG-14, had laeft.. and after she made sure that Dr. Lam couldn't hear her, "now you know how I feel when you and Faith had loud, loud sex."
"It's so not the same" said Willow with her eyes narrowed at Dawn, "you have noise cancelling earphones, I don't… I had see… had to see… Ewwwwwww."
Dawn could only grin as she looked at Willow shuddering, before she turned back to look at Jon, and then looked at Willow once again. Willow then just shook her head before she looked accusingly at Jon who was standing nervously behind Dawn.
"So Jon" said Faith when she saw Willow looking at the poor young man. The Dark haired Slayer could only smile as she walked up to Jon before she placed her arm around his shoulders, "do you have feelings for my sister-in-law?"
"Yes" said Jon as he looked at Willow while nervously gulping.
"You promise to take care of her?"
"Yes"
"Faith" said Dawn as she turned around and looked at the Slayer, "you're worse than Buffy."
"Oh no" said Willow shaking her head as she suddenly gave Jon a grin, "Buffy's gonna be worse."
"Oh boy" said Jon as he scratched the back of his head nervously, "so you're not sending me through a black hole then?"
"Nah" said Willow as she waved her hand, "I just felt you give honest answers to Faith's questions. As long as Dawnie's not hurt, I'm alright with your relationship with my sister. She's a grown woman so… yeah… plus I don't have any inclination to search for any frogs as a gift in the event that I don't approve."
Dawn looked back at Willow and smiled when she remembered what she did as Athena after she meddled in the brunette's love life.
"But" said Willow as she stood and looked at Dawn, "if you wanna fool around then.. well…."
"Do it at my place?" asked Jon excitedly as it was Dawn who coughed nervously this time while Willow narrowed her eyes at the excitement coming off the young man.
"A bit too far, dude" whispered Faith as she patted Jon's shoulder lightly before moving away from him.
"What I was gonna was be careful, and use protection" said Willow as she narrowed her eyes and tilted her head at Jon who took a step back while laughing nervously as he told the redhead he was just kidding. Willow then suddenly grinned again before looking at Dawn and told her not to think too loudly if she could help it, "I really think it would hurt it you tried that one position you were thinking about."
"Ewwww" said Dawn as Faith covered her mouth and started to giggle, "I don't want my sister giving me tips on… ewwww."
"Technically you did think…" said Jon when he stopped once Dawn looked at him with an expression on her face that indicated 'whose side are you on?'
"I'll shut up" said Jon as Faith stood next to him trying her best to jeep her giggling to herself.
"Oh" said Dawn as she looked at Willow, and smiled when she realized what the redhead was trying to do, "just so you know, I did try it.. and it was good… real good… here, you can hear my thoughts…"
"Oh god… stop" said Willow as she closed her eyes while holding her head as Faith fell on her knees laughing.
"That's what I didn't say" said Dawn with a grin, "you know.. the stop part.. I didn't say that."
"Dawnie" said Willow as Dr. Lam rushed in after hearing the laughter. After a red faced Jon told the doctor that everything was alright, and that Faith was laughing because of a very funny joke that Dawn had said; the doctor then walked away. Willow then held her hands up as Dawn stopped thinking out loud and grinned at Willow who stared back at her, "wait till mother finds out about this."
Dawn could only stick her tongue out at Willow before the both of them looked at each other and started to laugh.
"I'll going with Jon to Sunnydale to introduce him to mom, and Buffy.. and the other Scoobies" said Dawn as she and Willow wiped their tears of laughter while Faith slowly, but surely, calmed down.
"Ah" said Willow as she looked at Jon, "no hanky panky, or else Buffy will throw you into the Hellmouth."
"Ummm"
"Don't scare him" said Dawn as Jon was about to say something. She then walked up to the young man and put their hands together, "you wanna come with us?"
"Nah" said Faith as she stood next to Willow who walked closer to the other couple, "we've got this whole new Kassa situation, let's see what the briefings come up with… those guys are pretty bad. Kinda like the mob.. you know. Protecting their illegal drugs… and killing anyone who wants to mess that whole income thing that come from it's distribution."
"Well" said Jon, "if you're not doing anything.. then…"
"We'll see" said Willow as she looked at Jon, "enjoy yourself, I was just kidding about Buffy throwing you into the Hellmouth."
"I kinda guessed that" said Jon.
"It's gonna be Spike who does it if you hurt her" said Willow as Jon hung his head in defeat while Faith giggled. Before long, Willow kissed Dawn's forehead before they walked out of the infirmary with Jon and Dawn heading back to pack for their trip, and Willow and Faith heading up to the briefing room to hear what Colonel Mitchell and the others had to say about Kassa, and the Lucien Alliance's involvement in its distribution.
TBC.