Rated: NC17 for adult themes, sexual situations and violence

Classification: A, R, Slash

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It's gonna take an act of faith to stand up and face the day.
It's gonna take an act of faith,
nobody can make you stay
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Chapter 3 - Fire
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Starbuck and Apollo sat next to each other in the Briefing Room, similar sullen looks on their faces. Both were incredulous and angry that they weren't assigned to the ground teams. It was the first mission that either or both of them had not been assigned to since fleeing the Colonies. Neither warrior was quite sure how to handle it so, basically, they were pouting.

Athena chose just that moment to walk into the room, her arms loaded down with handhelds and data chips. When she noticed her brother and his friend she quickly averted her gaze. Her one confrontation with Apollo when she had to review the patrol schedule with him and have him implement the team assignments had been enough for her. So while they pouted, she ignored them and began sorting through her materials. She also briefly considered shooting them if they didn't stop pouting.

Athena's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the intelligence operatives based on the Science Ship.

"'thena!" Laren called out her name in his usual jovial manner.

Athena turned, a smile on her face, and allowed herself to be enveloped in the large man's embrace.

"I definitely have not seen enough of you," he said loudly as he let her go.

"Stop talking dirty, her brother's in the room," Jared ribbed his friend and gave Athena a hug himself. "Ignore him, he's just miffed that I get to lead our team."

"Aren't we like a breath of fresh air?" Nate said laconically as he too swept Athena up into his arms.

"You have no idea," Athena laughed, glad to see her friends and be around people who were not only not pouting but were in high spirits. The past few days, except for a quick visit to the Orphan Ship, had been pretty dismal as she had managed to isolate herself from most of her friends and family. Fortunately, finally making the list of successful avoidees was Starbuck whom, until now, she hadn't seen since their brief encounter in her brother's quarters three days ago.

"Lex sends his regards," Nate told her with a raised eyebrow. Lex, the head of the Communications Lab and Athena had gone on a few dates a few sectars ago, but the relationship had ended without a word of explanation from either party. Athena apparently intended to keep it that way, Nate saw, as she shrugged and mumbled something about sending her regards back. With a dismissive shrug, Nate dropped the subject.

"So how did we get pulled for this gig? I thought for sure they had forgotten us," Jared asked as he grabbed a hand-held and took a seat.

"Yeah, things have gotten a bit warrior-centric around here," Laren observed. "No offense Captain, Lieutenant," he looked over at Apollo and Starbuck.

"No one forgot you," Athena tried to smooth things out before one of the warrior's infamous tempers exploded. "In fact, my Father's been trying to convince the Council to get you guys into service for sectars. They finally agreed for this mission." The intelligence agencies of the Colonies had been under civilian control and the Council had refused to allow the military to have any authority over them, even in the Fleet and Adama had been reluctant to press his prerogative under Martial Law unless it was imperative he do so. It was only reluctantly that they had conceded their usage on this mission, though technically they didn't have any right to object. Everything was just overly complicated by the Council.

"They probably got sick of handing out medals to the warriors," Laren comments.

Athena couldn't argue with his observation as a few Council members had said much the same thing themselves. She was sure they were planning to take credit if this mission was a success, despite the fact that the Council never had anything to do with intelligence either before or since the Destruction.

"So when do we start this shindig?" Starbuck interrupted.

"As soon as everyone gets here, I imagine," Athena said sweetly, not looking over at him. "No one told you to show up half a centar early to pout," she responded even more snidely to him in her head. Glancing over at the warriors for a few microns, Athena wasn't so sure she didn't like it better when the two were still at odds with each other because now they appeared united in their attempt to practically sing and dance their dissatisfaction with being left off the teams. She hoped Sheba would knock some sense into her brother before she left, otherwise she was sure the two warriors would glower on the bridge for the entire mission.

Idly, her hand slipped down and checked that her weapon was in place. It was a satisfying vision to imagine turning around and stunning the doofs with her lazer in the middle of the bridge.

"Thinking of shooting someone?" Omega leaned over and whispered into her ear as he placed his own materials on the table.

"Considering it," she motioned her head towards the still-sullen warriors.

"Hi Captain, Starbuck," Omega greeted the warriors with a jaunty wave.

"This is Laren, Nate and Jared, from Intelligence," Athena introduced the team members.

Omega shook hands with the other men as Athena let her gaze stray towards her brother and his wingmate. The two warriors were talking amongst themselves so Athena let herself indulge in a study of Starbuck's profile. No matter how annoyed she was she couldn't deny his attractiveness. It wasn't just his physical appearance either, but some indefinable inner quality that had always drawn her to him.

"Me and a thousand other women," she tried to dismiss the undercurrent she felt fill the room whenever he was in it, but it didn't stop the image of the first time she had met him.

== Her first sight of him had been him standing next to her brother at the door to their home. She was an eleven yahren old kid and she had just come rushing through the house to greet her big brother who was home from the Academy with a friend. She had come to a running halt when she saw the friend.

It had been a clear summer day and Starbuck had been backlit in sunshine, his hair was almost indistinguishable from the sunbeams and it was hard to tell whether the glow surrounded him or came from inside him. Her adolescent heart had started pounding and her breath had caught in her throat as he had turned away from their mother and looked at her. He smiled at her and had said hello, or something, she really had no idea because she was beyond hearing until Zac had stepped on her foot and snapped her out of her stupidity-daze. Toes throbbing she had walked over to the cadet and stuck her hand out and introduced herself.

"Hi, my name is Athena," she almost melted as he clasped her hand.

"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl," Starbuck had said as he let go of her hand.

She thought she was going to die and go to heaven right there and then. Until Apollo ruined it.

"But we call her Brat, we find it much more fitting," Apollo had ruffled her hair and headed for the kitchen and their mother's cookies.

Her face had flushed in embarrassment and anger, she remembered, and Starbuck had smiled at her sympathetically before following in her brother's wake.

All of her friends had fallen for Starbuck during that school break and he had taken their bumbling flirting in stride. Athena, however, had been too mortified by her brothers' teasing to say more than two words to their guest for the next few days, though her gaze never strayed far from him when he was around.

On Apollo and Starbuck's last evening home, Athena had walked over to the lake to find some solitude, a precious commodity in a house full of brothers. Once there she had stripped down to her bathing costume and stood, enjoying the feel of the breeze on her bare skin as she watched the moon on the ripples of water. Feeling a peace slip over her, she climbed the "diving tree" and balanced herself on the wide branch that hung over the water. As she had every warm season her entire life, Athena raised her hands over her head and propelled herself into the water.

She swam underneath the surface until her lungs felt like they were going to burst. Taking deep breaths of air she let herself float for a few centons before swimming back to shore. She wasn't supposed to swim alone, but she needed the exertion tonight. The days of pent up emotions were beginning to drive her mad and she hadn't wanted to spoil her brother's last night home by giving him the fat lip he so richly deserved.

Since starting his first year at the Academy, he had begun to treat his sister with a supercilious disdain. It had hurt at first, but she had learned to ignore it. It was intolerable, however, when he did it in front of Starbuck. Yet, she couldn't say anything about it for fear of looking like an even bigger child in front of her brother's handsome friend. She was almost twelve yahrens old for Kobol's sake and he treated her like she was still nine or something!

The swim had helped her clear her head and she sat down on the shore to dry off before heading home and catching flak from her mother for swimming alone. Her wet hair gave her away every time.

"Hi," an unmistakable voice said from behind her.

Athena's shoulder stiffened as she waited for her brother's tone to chime in. After a few microns, she hadn't heard him so she turned around. "Oh hi Starbuck," she said, her eyes scanning behind the young man.

"He's not here. Can I sit?" Starbuck politely asked.

"Yes," Athena let out an audible sigh of relief.

Starbuck sat down next to her and looked out over the water towards the setting moon. "Do you know why he teases you so much?" he suddenly asked.

"Because he's a daggit's behind?" Athena said sweetly.

Starbuck laughed for a moment at her jibe. "No," he shook his head, still chuckling. "He teases you because he's trying to grow up and is afraid if he hangs out with his eleven yahren old sister he'll look like a kid."

"I'm almost twelve," Athena mumbled.

"You two have always been close?" Starbuck asked quietly.

"Until he went to the Academy. Now he's just a jerk and I don't think it's very mature," Athena said with hurt in her voice.

"He'll come around. He does love you very much, and he's proud of you. He's always bragging about his smart and talented brother and sister at school. He says that you have better aim than him," Starbuck tried to comfort her.

"I do," Athena confirmed proudly. "And when I got to the Academy I'm going to beat his scores."

"I bet you will," Starbuck smiled. "So you want to go to the Academy too?"

"Of course," Athena picked up a stone and began to fidget with it.

"Why?" he asked her.

"Because I want to defend our worlds from the Cylons. Because I want to speed through space and engage in battle," she said in a determined voice laced with excitement.

"It's not all fun and games," Starbuck warned. A warning Athena now knew he was just repeating, but hadn't believed himself.

"I know that," Athena looked at him. "My father has given me that lecture a million times. Doesn't stop him from missing it though. I hear you're a pretty good shot too," she changed the subject.

"It's only first yahren. We'll see at graduation," Starbuck shrugged with uncharacteristic modesty.

"We will," Athena nodded. "But great warriors are usually obvious by the middle of first year."

"Your dad told you that too?" Starbuck bit back a chuckle.

"Laugh all you want, but he would know," Athena said.

"Yes, he would. I'm not laughing at you Athena, I'm sorry. It's just disconcerting to hear Academy wisdom coming from an eleven, almost twelve yahren old," he quickly amended.

Athena dropped the stone and pulled her hair over her shoulder and began to twist the water out of it. "I'm a good commander's daughter," she said in a toneless voice.

"Yeah, well, we'll see about that at graduation too, won't we," Starbuck said under his breath.

"What does that mean?" Athena looked over at him.

"Nothing, nothing," Starbuck waved his hand. "Let me walk you back to the house."

"I don't need to be walked back," Athena jumped up and gathered her clothes.

"Well, I do. I got here by accident and don't know how to get back," Starbuck stood up.

"Well, I'll let you walk me back if you pretend that you were here while I was swimming. I'm not supposed to swim alone," she said slyly.

"We got a deal. So much for the good commander's daughter," Starbuck shook her hand.

"I may only be eleven, but I do have two brothers," Athena said as she pulled her clothes back on.

"You have a great family Athena," Starbuck said almost to himself.

"So do you," Athena looked at him in the moonlight.

"My family?" Starbuck's brow furrowed at her words and even in the semi-darkness she could see a haunted look in his eyes.

"Don't you know? You're a part of our family now," Athena grabbed his hand and began to lead him down the path. "Nothing you can do about it now. So you have a great family too." She glanced over and saw Starbuck smiling widely as he watched where he was walking in the dark. = =

Athena glanced around and noticed that the other teams members were beginning to arrive and she shook off her unwelcome recollection. She hadn't thought about those sectons in ages, probably not since she had been almost twelve in fact. Now she could see just how precious Starbuck must have found her "adoption" of him into their family. A lonely orphan boy being handed a crazy but loving family by an eleven-yahren-old kid.

Athena shook her head and smiled to herself despite the unhealthiness of her musings. She and this man had a long and varied history together. Her love for him had grown from a seed planted that evening by the lake as he tried to reassure the little girl that she still had her older brother's love. How in the world was she supposed to transmute a love that had grown for over fourteen yahrens into a tepid acquaintance?

Athena had no answer and she had more important things to worry about just then anyway.

Adama called everyone to order and began laying out their plans. There were a few excited murmurs that Colonel Tigh quelled with a glance as their Commander spoke.

"Lieutenant Athena and Captain Omega will explain the tactical details to you, but first Captain Apollo and Lieutenant Starbuck will give you a first hand account of the flight path to the planet and their scans and anything they think might be useful for you to keep in mind," Adama finished up.

Starbuck and Apollo made their presentation brief, yet thorough. Athena was relieved to see that they hadn't let a hint of their personal dissatisfaction show through. While neither warrior could be accused of ever shirking their responsibilities, they both, although Apollo liked to deny it about himself, sometimes had problems keeping their personal feelings out of their work. Athena wondered whether it was stubbornness, the presence of non-warriors or Sheba's warning looks that had kept them in line this cycle.

Apollo and Starbuck exited the room with the Commander as the bridge officers began their briefing.

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"We've picked up additional intelligence about the inhabitants of the planet. As we had hoped, they appear to only inhabit the warmer climes and they appear to have strong enough defenses to ward off the Cylons should they be following behind us. It's those defenses that made them undetectable until we got closer and we believe they foiled the Cylons as well. We are certain that these inhabitants are not human and we don't know if they are friendly or hostile to us, but we aren't going to waste time finding out," Athena pressed a button and displayed a digitized map of the planet's topography.

"The tylium we need is located in the colder areas of the northern hemisphere. The Galactica will block the planetary tracking systems and the mining ship will immediately move in and begin gathering. At the same time Team One will proceed to a drop off point closer to the settled areas to scout out any edible plants we might make use of. Team One will have some scientists from the agro ships and med doctors to quickly choose which edibles to collect for food and medicine."

"The Team Two will be the team searching for and taking pictures of the possible markers and recording whatever planetary communications they might pick up for later analysis. We have also been concentrating our scans trying to pick up any minerals indigenous to Kobol that might be another marker from the Thirteenth Tribe. We believe that we have found something along those lines. The Two will be checking that out."

"As you can tell, this is not expected to be a dangerous mission, although that is always a possibility. We do have to be smooth and fast. We would like the teams to be on the ground no more than three centars with another centar for the shuttle teams. We know that's rather tight and there is give either way, preferably less time for the ground teams and more for the collection teams. You will help them if they let you and return with them in the shuttles," Athena explained. "We do, however, warn everyone to stay on alert for any trouble. The Fleet will continue on while you are down there and you will catch up with it on the other side."

"There are detailed schedules, maps and information on those handhelds for you to study before you leave in a centar and a half. If you have any questions during that time, Captain Omega, Colonel Tigh and I will be on the bridge. Captain Apollo and Lieutenant Starbuck and the other deep probe warriors have also agreed to make themselves available should you have any questions for them. Are there any questions in the meantime?" Athena summed up.

"Who will be flying the shuttles?" Sheba was quick to ask.

"Lieutenants Dietra and Filon will fly the drop off shuttle and the One's pick up shuttle. Flight Sergeant Jolly and I will fly Second Team's shuttle. The drop off shuttle will return to the Galactica and a different shuttle will be waiting for them for the pick up one," Athena answered.

It had been Tigh's last centon decision for her to fly one of the shuttles and based on the fact that she had intimate knowledge of mission parameters and experience flying shuttles during battle as she had over Carillon.

"Are there any further questions?" Omega asked the assembled teams.

There were no takers and Tigh dismissed everyone with advisement that they should study their materials and rest up.

"Good briefing," Tigh complimented his officers after the room emptied out.

"We learned from the master," Omega nodded in acknowledgment.

"Thank you, Sir," Athena said and turned to gather her materials together.

"I'll see you on the bridge," Tigh walked out.

"I think I've only seen that shine in your eyes when you get to fly a viper," Omega observed.

"I'm growing as a person? Widening my interests?" Athena suggested.

"That or you realized we have cushier seats on the Bridge?" Omega shrugged.

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Before returning to the Bridge Athena headed for the shuttle launch bay to perform the pre-flight checks. While she and Jolly would perform them again before take off, she thought it wise to do it now too just in case they had to make a quick departure.

Athena entered the shuttle, picked up the check list and began performing diagnostics. She was still sitting in the pilot's chair checking the communications sets ten centars later when someone entered the shuttle behind her. She turned around and came face to face with Starbuck who stood at the entrance to the shuttle. Agitated, she turned back to her task before speaking.

"Planning to stow away or make certain I saw your pout?" she asked in what she hoped was a light tone.

"No," Starbuck said and walked onto the shuttle and settled on a box in front of her. He crossed his arms and looked at her silently.

Athena put down her list and looked up at him with raised eyebrows, silently urging him to say what he came to say and leave.

"I came to find out why Apollo and I weren't assigned to the mission. I have a feeling that you had something to do with it," Starbuck finally stated.

"Yes, I did the assignments but it wasn't personal," she said.

"How was it not personal?" he asked.

"Apollo had already scheduled you both to deep probe over the past few days and I thought it might be a good idea to give the non-military personnel a chance at some mission training to begin to take some of the burden off of all of us," Athena explained.

"Oh," Starbuck dropped his arms. He couldn't argue with either point. He didn't make any motion to leave however.

"Is there something else you wanted to discuss?" she asked.

"I just, well, I wondered if you've been avoiding me. We've been, uh, you know, doing things together and you haven't been around. You didn't even show up for dinner at the Commander's last night. I can't think of anything I've done lately, but I was wondering if I had done something I'm supposed to apologize for?" Starbuck had moved further into the shuttle as he spoke and was now kneeling down in front of Athena.

"No, you haven't done anything," Athena kept her eyes lowered.

"Dammit, how can I fix whatever it is I've done if you won't tell me what it is?" Starbuck asked.

"There's nothing to tell," Athena shrugged, fiddling with the handheld in her lap.

"Look at me!" Starbuck lifted her chin and forced her to look at him.

"Get your hands off of me," Athena's eyes blazed in anger at his attempt to bend her to his will and to hide her threatening tears. She yanked her face from his grasp.

"What is your problem? I thought we were friends?" Starbuck's hands were clenched into fists.

"We were never friends Starbuck. I was your best friend's little sister, then I was some girl you hung out with and then I don't know what we were becoming, but we were never really friends," Athena said defiantly.

"How can you say that?" Starbuck asked.

Athena felt guilty when she saw that he was genuinely hurt by her words.

"I'm sorry, I...I've just been really busy," she tried to take back what she had said. When the hurt look didn't go away she grasped his hands and pulled him into her embrace and tried to soothe his hurt the best way she knew how, physical contact. "I didn't mean that, really."

Starbuck's arms slid around Athena's body and he buried his face on the side of hers creating a strange juxtaposition of light and dark as his blond hair entwined amongst her dark.

"Why are you mad at me?" he asked, sounding a lot like a hurt little boy.

"I'm not mad at you Starbuck," Athena felt herself become lost in him.

"Then why?" Starbuck moved so that he could look into her eyes.

Athena's breathing became shallow as she noticed his gaze drop to her lips. She couldn't stop her tongue from darting out and moistening her suddenly dry lips. She could feel his heartbeat speed up when he saw. Their faces were only millimeters apart, one slight move and their lips would touch. Silently, waiting, they stared into each other's eyes.

With an excruciating slowness their lips met.

Gently their lips pressed together and opened. Starbuck's tongue slid inside Athena's mouth and Athena's eyes closed. Her tongue moved forward to caress his. Their lips met and moved and repeated their own caresses. Moans of pleasure filled the shuttle, neither was aware that it was their own.

Starbuck's fingers had been resting gently on Athena's neck and as their kisses got deeper her slid them down to the tips of her breasts and he began to roll her nipple between the pads of his fingers in a rhythm he subconsciously remembered from sectars of practice. As he teased her felt Athena's breast swell as it tried to fit itself into his hand. Accommodatingly, he opened his hand and cupped her breast. He felt her engorged nipple rasp against his palm and felt his own arousal fill.

It felt as if he was at the bottom of a deep pool of water as he gently manipulated Athena until he lay over her, the evidence of his arousal pressing against hers. Their mouths were still engaged in their own manipulation.

Suddenly a clatter from outside the shuttle permeated the passionate haze.

Athena froze for a moment before she frantically pushed Starbuck up and scrambled away from him.

Starbuck remained on his knees, but was looking at the empty ground as he tried to bring himself under control and at the same time politely avert his gaze from Athena to allow her to do the same.

Finally, Starbuck looked up at Athena.

His breath caught in his throat as he looked and saw the tears sliding down her flushed face, past her swollen lips.

"You still love me!" Starbuck said in a strangled voice.

"What?" Athena's eyes widened at the accusation.

"You do! That's why you're avoiding me! I knew there had to be a reason!" Starbuck seemed oddly pleased with his analytical abilities and unconcerned with the implications of his deduction.

"I don't know where you got that idea from. have things to do and I have to finish this and get back to the bridge," she tried to appear unruffled.

"Deny it all you want Athena, but I know the truth," Starbuck said.

"You promised never to bring up that I told you I loved you and you couldn't say the same to me! Don't you dare hold that over my head now to try and get me to assign you to this mission!" she practically hissed.

"That's not what I meant," Starbuck shook his head.

"Whatever, don't forget you kissed me and you never loved me," Athena flipped her hair off her shoulders with a shake of her head.

"Then why are you avoiding me?" Starbuck's face was unreadable.

"If I was so intent on avoiding you, wouldn't I have made sure you were on the mission and not predictably going to be in my hair on the bridge for the next three centars?" she asked.

"Well, um," Starbuck's face became a mask of uncertainty.

"I don't know what is going on with you Starbuck, but I suggest you get a hold of your ego,"

Athena took advantage of his pause.

Starbuck's gaze burned into her as he looked for a clue in her expression.

Athena lifted her chin and refused to be stared down.

After a few centons Starbuck looked away. "I'll see you later," he mumbled and turned and walked away.

As soon as his shadow disappeared, Athena's false defenses collapsed and the hand-held dropped out of her numb fingers. She closed her eyes and dropped her face into her hands. Her entire body was shaking and her heart was racing. More and more, things seemed to racing out of her control. She should have expected the unexpected from Starbuck after all these yahrens. Instead she had assumed he would be busy with Cassi and not notice her pulling away from him as she tried to heal. But Starbuck was a contrary creature by nature, and very observant. Too observant at the wrong times. Still, she hoped that after this confrontation he might leave her alone, but somehow she didn't really believe it.

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[Apollo's Quarters]

"So are you still pouting?" Sheba settled down next to Apollo in his quarters.

"No," Apollo grumbled.

"Yes you are," Sheba laughed and pressed herself against his side. His body was stiff with exhaustion and anger and she intended to do something about that before she left.

"Aren't you supposed to be studying your mission profile?" Apollo cleared his throat, feeling her heat against his side.

"I am studying," she said as she seductively ran her eyes up his body until they met his eyes.

"Yeah, well," a flush made its way up Apollo's face in a way that Sheba found completely endearing.

"So how about you forget the fact that you aren't going planetside and help me prepare?" she suggested, toying with a clasp on his jacket.

Apollo's hand clamped down over hers, drawing her eyes to his. Sheba gasped as she saw the desire in his eyes, something he had kept carefully masked when he looked at her before now.

She was mesmerized by his gaze as he dragged her hand around his neck. His other hand slipped unnoticed around her neck until it cupped the back of her head.

"How shall I help you prepare?" he growled.

"We could discuss your plans for the squadrons if there is trouble," she suggested breathlessly.

"Or," Apollo said slowly as his face lowered until his lips were a centimeter from hers.

"Or what?" she whispered.

Apollo took advantage of her open mouth and pulled her head to meet his and slipped his tongue inside her mouth. There was no more talking for the next five centons as they ravished each other's mouths. When they finally broke apart they were both breathing heavily.

"I should have kissed you like that before you left for the basestar. That was great motivation," Sheba told him breathlessly.

"Yeah, you should have. Although I probably would have decked you at that point," Apollo laughed.

"Actually, I think you would have fainted," Sheba shook her head, a smile plastered across her face.

"I do not faint!" Apollo raised his chin.

"Sounds like a challenge to me," Sheba brushed her lips against his. "But one for when I get back."

"Be careful out there," Apollo captured her chin between his fingers.

"That's a promise," Sheba said seriously, looking him in the eyes.

Apollo leaned over and gave her a tender kiss.

"Now study that profile," he ordered.

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Starbuck strode out of the shuttle bay and didn't stop until he reached a deserted shuttle lounge where he stood for the next few centons trying to get a grip on himself. In truth, however, he didn't want to calm down! He much preferred to be able to kick something. So he did.

A few microns later found Starbuck sitting on a waiting bench rubbing his sore toes. The wall wasn't as soft as it had looked through the red haze of anger, but at least he was much calmer now. He still had no idea, though, what had possessed him to confront Athena like that. It wasn't something he had consciously planned. He had only gone to the shuttle bay in order to give Apollo time alone with Sheba. He had figured since he was being excluded from the mission he could at least eyeball the shuttles and make sure that everything was properly prepared. He could he have known that Athena would be there checking out her shuttle before reporting to the bridge? He was just trying to help, the nice guy that he was.

"So why didn't you wish her luck and then leave when you did see her?" he asked himself. "Instead I stride in there, seduce her and tell her she loves me!" he clapped his hand over his face.

Where in the star systems had he got that from? He didn't know! He had just opened his mouth and out it came, along with a bunch of other unthinking felgercarb. Kicking something was a great idea, if only he could arrange to kick himself as he had the wall.

Or his wingmate. He was much softer and it was all his fault. Apollo was the one who had dredged up all this Starbuck-Athena romantic felgercarb!

It was all Apollo's fault!

Feeling much better Starbuck decided to go in search of something to dull the pain in his foot.

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"So I hear you've been spending time on the Orphan Ship?" Omega said casually as she sat at the communications console checking to see everything was within operational parameters.

"Yes," Athena turned around with a smile. "You should come along some time. The children are a blast and could use more visitors."

"Um, maybe. So, you've met a man named Caphis?" Omega questioned in a calm tone as he leaned over her shoulder as if he was observing the computer run through data.

Athena leaned to the side to give him room and studied his look. She sensed a barely controlled emotion from her co-worker.

"Yes, I have," she confirmed, but couldn't stop her curiosity. "Do you know him?"

"Um, who?" Omega mumbled. "Oh, Caphis. Yes, I knew him back on Pisceria."

"Hmmm, he never mentioned knowing you. Were you close?" Athena watched him closely for a reaction.

"No, not really," Omega stood up.

"Oh, too bad. He's a lovely man. We had dinner last time I was there," Athena turned back towards her screen. "If all goes well tonight, I'm planning to go back after I get back. The children want to hear what we discovered and I want to assure them I'm all right. Maybe you'll come along?"

"Maybe," Omega said abruptly and walked away.

"Everyone is acting strange!" Athena thought to herself as she got back to work.

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"Strange" had turned back to annoying a couple of centars later.

The teams had been dropped off and Athena was concentrating on watching for any communications, from either the teams or the planet's inhabitants, or a surge in energy levels that would cause any alarm. The only increase in anything, however, was in the frustration levels on the bridge.

As she had predicted Starbuck wasn't the least intimidated or embarrassed by their last encounter and was loitering behind her waiting for the mission to play out. Tigh and Adama were tolerating their presence as a balm to their pride, and probably Apollo's undue concern for Sheba, but Athena was really close to kicking them out.

Apollo, for his part, wasn't feeling all that differently from his sister when it came to Starbuck. Impatiently he grabbed Starbuck's arm to stop the fidgety warrior from pacing. "Will you stand still? If the bridge officers don't, I'll shoot you," Apollo warned him.

"Sorry," Starbuck sighed, again, and stood next to Apollo, again.

Luckily almost everyone on the bridge attributed his impatience to being left off the mission, but Starbuck knew that was only part of his restlessness. What was making him crazy was the fact that Apollo had decided they should wait with Athena was she manned communications in case something happened and they had to get going they wouldn't be delayed a micron. Starbuck couldn't very well tell Apollo that he didn't want to be so close to the man's sister because just a few centars before he had been on the verge of making love with her in a shuttle! Neither could he forget the encounter. And as guilty and embarrassed as he was by it, his body seemed to have its own ideas. Starbuck's cheeks flushed as he silently prayed that his physical state wasn't noticeable.

"What the frak is wrong with me lately?" he wondered, a scowl on his faceas he looked down at the woman working in front of him. Until a few days ago they were moving along in their parallel paths of life and enjoying a peaceful interaction. Then all of a sudden she had made herself scarce, Apollo began intimating that Starbuck still had feelings for her and he was losing control of his behavior. Not only was he cheating on Cassi by seducing Athena and standing her wishing he could try it again, but he his temper was undeniably short and he was taking it out on his wingmate, his girlfriend and just about anyone who crossed his path.

He wondered whether he was that immature that he would be so bothered if Athena suddenly stopped being available at his beck and call. He was broken from his reverie when Athena jumped up from her seat and darted around her chair and barreled into him.

"Starbuck, move!" she ordered and bolted past him.

Bewildered, Starbuck looked at Apollo, who had wisely moved aside.

"The signal," Apollo said. "She has to get to the shuttle. The mission? Does any of this sound familiar?" Apollo appeared slightly amused, slightly annoyed.

Without a word Starbuck spun on his heel and followed in Athena's wake. He caught up with her waiting for the turbolift that would take her to the shuttle bay.

"Athena," he gasped and stopped by her side. "Wait."

"For what?' Athena spared him a micron's glance. Then the lift door opened and she bolted in.

"Wait!" Starbuck cried out.

Athena grabbed his jacket and pulled him into the lift with her as the door closed.

"What's so important it can't wait?" Athena began to pull her hair back from her face and secure it to the back of her head.

"I'm sorry," Starbuck blurted out.

"For what?" Athena sighed at him.

"For before, for everything. I wanted you to know before you left," Starbuck realized suddenly how lame he sounded.

"I'm coming back, this is a simple pick up," Athena rolled her eyes.

"That's not what I meant. Forget it, I think I gotta get some more sleep," Starbuck turned away and half-mumbled to himself.

"You do that," Athena told him as she moved past him and exited the lift.

Starbuck leaned back against the turbolift wall as the door closed. "I am going crazy!" he said to no one in particular.

<><><><><><><><><>

Apollo caught up with Starbuck nursing a cup of grog at a back table in the Officer's Club. The Captain slid into a seat across from his wingmate and looked at him expectantly.

"What?" Starbuck snapped after a few centons of Apollo's silent scrutiny.

"That's what I want to know. What is going on with you Starbuck?" Apollo asked kindly. "Ever since our, um, exchange the other day you've been acting strangely. You're going to get yourself killed."

"I know," Starbuck sighed. "Don't ask me to explain it, because I can't."

Apollo looked at the table for a few microns. "I hope that you know you can talk to me about anything."

"I do know that, not only because that's the fourth time you said that this secton," Starbuck said with a hint of humor in his voice.

"Maybe I should become a psych counselor?" Apollo joked.

"I think I need one," Starbuck leaned his chin in his hand.

"The shuttles have launched and everything should be over in another couple of centars," Apollo changed the subject.

"Hmmph," was Starbuck's only response.

"Do you want to come back to the bridge with me?" Apollo asked.

"I think I'd better stay away from the bridge unless I absolutely have to be there," Starbuck observed. "I might just get myself thrown in the brig next time."

Apollo looked at his friend sympathetically. "Is everything all right with you and Cassi?" he suddenly asked.

"Other than me snapping at her lately, things are fine," Starbuck took another drink.

"You look tired. Have you been sleeping?" Apollo was still trying to figure out what was wrong with his friend.

"Not really," Starbuck ran a hand across his eyes. "I am exhausted."

"No one says you have to stay awake for all this. You are supposed to be getting some sleep now," Apollo reminded him.

"So are you," Starbuck pointed out.

"Yeah," Apollo agreed. "But with Sheba out there..."

Starbuck looked at his friend closely. "Are you all right with that?" he asked, knowing that the loss of Serina was probably making him worry more than he would about any other warrior.

"I won't deny that I'm terrified," Apollo chuckled. He understood his fears, but they didn't stop them from making his heart pound.

"Maybe you should have a grog?" Starbuck suggested.

Apollo furrowed his brow for a few microns. "That's probably a good idea," he finally sighed.

"I need another, I'll get you one," Starbuck slipped out of his seat and headed for the bar.

Apollo had also noticed that his sister had been acting strangely, but wasn't about to bring her up with Starbuck. Ever since he had dredged up the aborted proposal, she had been a touchy subject with his wingmate. Or more exactly, ever since Starbuck had said he loved Athena and he hadn't said it in the past tense. Apollo had also observed that Athena's absence from last night's family dinner hadn't escaped Starbuck's notice. Every time her name had been brought up, Starbuck's lips had tightened and he had ignored the conversation, still, his eyes had strayed to her empty seat when he thought no one else was watching him.

For now all Apollo could think about was seeing his sister and his, well he wasn't sure what to call Sheba yet, back safely on the battlestar. His next priority was kissing Sheba senseless. Then he might take time to worry about Starbuck's love life. As he finished his last thought, Starbuck returned and slipped a cup of grog in front of him.

"To a successful mission," Starbuck raised his cup in a toast.

"And the women we love," Apollo couldn't resist one little comment before touching his cup to his friend's.

<><><><><><><><><><>

Two happy and mellow wingmates were waiting in the lounge outside the Decom Chambers two and a half centars later. Team One's shuttle had headed directly to the Agro Ships to unload, while Team Two's shuttle had remained to finish their observations and had landed a few centons ago, along with their viper escorts, Sheba and Bojay.

Apollo glanced at the door impatiently, torn between wanting to greet Athena or Sheba first.

"Just meet up with the first one to come out," Starbuck clapped him on the back.

"Good idea," Apollo mumbled. It wasn't like he hadn't thought of it, he was just eager to verify that both women were safe. Sheba was the first to exit and Apollo practically sprinted towards her.

Sheba's face broke into a wide grin as she was surrounded by Apollo's exuberance. She knew a lot of it was based on worries she couldn't prevent him from engaging in, but the fact that they were about her was touching.

"You're safe," Apollo whispered and pulled her into an embrace.

Sheba kissed him tenderly on the cheek, appreciating his concern yet unbelieving that he was displaying his emotions like this in front of everyone. Against her she felt his pounding heart and hoped that they could find a way to ease his concern, but still retain this wonderful greeting whenever one of them returned.

"I missed you," Apollo looked into her upturned face.

"I missed you too," Sheba smiled at him tenderly.

Apollo's fingers caressed her cheek momentarily before he let her go.

"See you in the O' Club?" he asked, knowing she wanted to get cleaned up.

"Hey, forget about me already?" Athena slipped her arms around her brother's waist.

Apollo turned his head away from Sheba's departing form and looked at his sister. "That would never work, I know, I tried when we were kids," he teased kissing her on the forehead.

"Har har," she rolled her eyes. "How are you doing?"

"Aren't I supposed to ask you that?" he raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah, I'm fine. But I know how hard this must have been for you to worry about Sheba,"

Athena said quietly. "It will get easier," she promised, hoping she was right.

Starbuck, meanwhile, was greeting Jolly and the other shuttle pilots as they came out. His attention, however, never strayed from Athena. He knew that he should welcome her back, to not do so would seem strange, but not even three grogs made him brave enough to risk that.

"She's beautiful isn't she?" Laren, the intelligence officer, leaned over and asked Starbuck.

"Who?" Starbuck looked at him questioningly.

"The woman you've been staring at since she emerged from decom and is now enjoying a touching reunion with her brother," Laren was clearly enjoying himself.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Starbuck said.

"Well, that's probably where you went wrong, but thanks for waiting for us," he clapped the warrior on the back before walking away.

Starbuck glared at the departing operative's back before looking back to see if Athena and Apollo were finished. Finding that Omega had joined them, Starbuck felt it was safe to wander over himself.

"Welcome back Athena," Starbuck said brightly as he stopped next to Apollo.

"Thanks, we have someplace to be," she looked at Omega for confirmation. "See you later," she turned and walked away.

Omega looked at Starbuck for a micron before bidding the warriors goodbye and following.

"Let's get to the O Club and get a table," Apollo suggested, ignoring Athena's snug of their friend.

"I'm going to pick up Cass, so I'll meet you there," Starbuck told him.

<><><><><><><><><><>
[Shuttle Titon]

"So now will you tell me now what the nature of your relationship with Caphis is? He didn't grow up on Pisceria. He grew up with Boomer on Caprica," Athena crossed her legs and looked at the man sitting tensely next to her.

"He knows Boomer? I forgot that," Omega mumbled, a far away look in his eyes.

"Well," Athena was prying unmercifully.

"I'll tell you my secret if you tell me yours," Omega challenged.

"Fine, but I'm not sure what my secret is," Athena agreed. "You go first."

"I met Caphis when he came to Pisceria to set up youth centers and an orphanage," Omega began the story. "I was home from my second yahren in the Academy on Caprica for the warm season. We met at a party given by some mutual friends and we hit it off right away. We were together for the next two yahrens while I finished school and he was traveling the Colonies with his work. It wasn't as bad as it sounds because he traveled so much for work he we got to see a lot more of each other than we might have otherwise. I would meet him places or he would add the Academy into his itinerary when possible. After graduation I was assigned to Ground on Virgon and we moved in together. We were together for another yahren before I was assigned to a communications ship. We tried to keep the relationship going, but, you know how it is."

"And you haven't spoken in all these yahrens?" Athena asked.

"It wasn't an amiable split, though I don't think either of us wanted to end it, but the odds that I would ever get an assignment back in the Colonies were slim," Omega told her. His frustration at the memory was evident by they way he ran his fingers through his dirty blond hair.

"What about after the Destruction?" she asked curiously.

"I looked him up and found out he was still alive. I'm sure he knows I am as well, but neither of us has contacted the other," Omega admitted.

"You would think that we would all try and pull together those of us who are left and put the time and distance that pulled us apart behind us," Athena commented, almost to herself.

"So who haven't you contacted or put the past behind you with?" Omega already knew the answer.

"Is that the secret you want to hear?" Athena asked hopefully.

"Nice try," Omega patted her knee.

"So what 'secret' are you referring to?" Athena shrugged philosophically. She had tried.

"That's what I'm asking you. You've had this glow about you. I'm suspecting a new man. And I know it can't be Caphis, so what gives?" Omega asked.

"No guy. If I'm glowing, it's probably just the lighting on the bridge," she shrugged.

"I told you my secret!" Omega reminded her.

"There is no man. I'll swear to it on the Book of Kobol if you want," Athena insisted.

Omega crossed his arms. "If you won't tell me, I'll just have to find out for myself," he warned.

"When you do, let me in on it," Athena said.

<><><><><><><><><><>

"Athena!" Noah broke away from his game and ran to greet the entering warrior.

"Hey, Noah," Athena kneeled down and returned the small boy's hug.

Soon, a chorus of childish greetings were ringing out in the playroom and Athena was introducing her fellow bridge officer. Soon, Omega too was peppered with questions about his job and the adults were sitting cross-legged on the floor answering questions about the bridge and the recent mission. Noah had made himself at home on Athena's lap and she had her arms encircling his little body to keep him balanced.

About ten centons later, Athena saw Omega stiffen and she glanced over at the playroom door. As she had suspected, Caphis was standing there watching them, an unreadable expression on his face. Athena waited to see what would happen next. Omega wouldn't look at the other man and Caphis seemed unwilling to walk further into the room, or to leave. Luckily, the children were oblivious to the tension traveling between the two men and Athena did her best to make sure they didn't by engaging them in a game.

Finally, Omega stood up and excused himself from the circle and walked over to the man hovering in the doorway.

Athena watched as they disappeared and hoped that it would work out for them. There was clearly still a lot of feelings between them.

<><><><><><><><><><>

"It's nice to see you Omega, you're looking well," Caphis said casually as he fell into step with the other man.

"You're looking well yourself. I hear you're doing wonderful work here on the Orphan Ship," Omega said just as casually.

Seeming to run out of things to say, the two men walked silently down the corridor until they reached Caphis' office. Without a word passing between them, they entered to room.

"Have a seat," Caphis motioned towards a chair in front of his desk, taking the matching one for his own. "You knew I would be here when you came?"

"Yes I did," Omega said quietly.

"Athena made a good excuse," Caphis said without judgment. "I was planning on visiting her on the Galactica soon," he admitted.

"We're a couple of cowards, aren't we?" Omega suddenly began to chuckle.

A grin broke out on Caphis' face. "We are," he agreed.

"So how have you been?" Omega asked, his hazel eyes betraying his nervousness.

"I've been good. I hear you're an important officer on the bridge," Caphis revealed that he too had been keeping track of his former lover's whereabouts.

"I do my job," Omega brushed off the compliment.

Caphis smiled tenderly at Omega's characteristic modesty. "I knew you were going to deflect that praise," he said, reaching his hand out and placing it over Omega's.

Omega looked down at their hands for a few microns before turning his hand over and entwining their fingers together and looking up at Caphis.

"I've missed you," Caphis looked at him intently.

"I've missed you too," Omega squeezed Caphis' hand. "Do you think we can make this work after all these yahrens?"

"I have faith in this," Caphis gestured towards their entwined hands. "I've never stopped loving you," Caphis told him.

"I love you too."

<><><><><><><><><><>

"Can anyone play this game?" a deep, male voice interrupted the game.

"Jack!" the children exclaimed, obviously acquainted with the newcomer.

"Sure, sit down," Athena invited. "Actually, we were done with our game and were just talking about school. I'm Athena."

"Jack," he shook Athena's hand and ruffled Noah's hair. "So what lesson in particular are we discussing?"

"Triad," Noah informed him.

"Deep intellectual stuff," Jack murmured so only Athena would overhear. "I guess you all love the game?"

"Yes, they do," Rette, the young children's guardian interrupted. "Now, however, is sleep cycle. Sorry."

"Can Athena and Jack put me, us, to bed?" Noah asked pleadingly.

"After you get cleaned up and changed, they can tuck you all in," Rette allowed.

Rette herded them off to the turbowash, leaving Athena and Jack alone in the playroom.

"Are you a volunteer?" Athena inquired.

"Yes," he nodded. "I'm a legist during the day cycles. And please, no legist jokes? You'd think after the Destruction those would go away," he groaned.

Athena laughed at his easy and infectious manner. "I work on the Galactica," she volunteered.

"I know, gossip hasn't disappeared either," he confirmed. "Noah seems quite taken with you. That's quite an accomplishment."

"I've heard he's shy, but I don't know that I did anything incredible," Athena smiled.

"While many of the children here were orphans before the Destruction, Noah wasn't and he's been withdrawn ever since, not just shy. I can usually only get a hello and a goodbye out of him," Jack said.

"I didn't know that," Athena was surprised.

"I bet it's not just children that warm up to you," Jack said flirtatiously.

"I might say the same to you," she said with open admiration of his dark-eyed good looks. He wasn't as broad or tall as Caphis, but he exuded the same masculine energy. If he wanted to flirt, Athena wasn't going to discourage him.

Before Jack could respond, Rette returned to inform them that the children were almost ready.

"We'll finish this conversation later," he leaned down and whispered in her ear, as his hand settled on her lower back and he guided her towards the children's quarters.

<><><><><><><><><><>

[Officer's Club]

"So where's Athena?" Boomer asked, a cup of grog held firmly in his hand as he stopped before his friends.

"I have no idea," Cassiopeia shrugged underneath Starbuck's arm.

"At the Orphan Ship," Apollo told their friend, his own arm wrapped around Sheba's shoulders.

"The Orphan Ship? Is that where she has been spending her time?" Cassiopeia asked.

"Yes, she's spending time with the children," Sheba told her friend. "You know how she loves children."

Starbuck busied himself finishing his cup of ambrosa to hide his surprise. He didn't even think to ask if Athena had a valid reason to absent herself from their social occasions. "Not that she volunteered an answer," he defended himself.

"Yes, Athena does love children," Cassiopeia agreed. "That's really sweet of her."

"She should be here soon," Apollo informed the group.

"Good, she owes me a tie-breaker game," Boomer told them.

"Scurry again?" Sheba asked, shaking her head. "You two are obsessed with that game."

"She's a challenging opponent, but don't you dare tell her I said that!" Boomer warned. "Of course, Boxey is probably going to be the big champion of us all. That kid has aim."

"He had a great teacher," Apollo preened.

"Yeah, Athena!" Sheba and Boomer said in unison, laughing when Apollo sighed.

"I'm going to get a refill," Starbuck said abruptly and walked away.

"What's wrong with him?" Boomer asked.

"I wish I knew," Cassiopeia said in frustration. "He's been moody for sectons, I thought it was everything that happened on the Rising Star and the trial, but for the past few days he's been impossible. Do you know what's bothering him? He blows up whenever I ask."

"He tells me it's nothing, that he's just tired and in need of a furlon, I was thinking of giving him one," Apollo felt a twinge of guilt at deceiving Starbuck's girlfriend, but he could hardly voice his suspicions to her.

"Maybe I should suggest we leave so he can get some sleep?" Cassiopeia wondered out loud as her eyes searched for the blonde-haired warrior in the crowd.

<><><><><><><><><><>

"Good night Athena, I'm glad you got back safely," Noah yawned as Athena tucked the covers around his shoulders.

"I told you I would," she smiled at him.

"Adults aren't always able to keep their promises," Noah looked at her, his blue eyes shining in the dark.

With a pang, Athena remembered what she had just learned from Jack. "You're right, but they always try really hard," she brushed his dark blond hair off his forehead. "Sweet dreams," she was unable to stop herself from leaning over and laying a soft kiss on his forehead.

She watched as his eyes drooped closed and his breathing evened out. Quietly she made her way out of the room where Jack was already waiting. She had saved Noah for last so she could spend more time with him.

"So have you had dinner since you returned from your mission?" he asked.

"Heard about that too? Actually, I haven't..." Athena began.

"But Athena needs to get back to the Officer's Club on the Galactica," Omega broke in.

"No, I don't," Athena did not want to see Starbuck.

"You went on a mission with these people, you have to share a drink with them," Omega, who was just arriving, reminded her. "Most of them are your friends and are probably surrounded by resentful warriors," Omega was careful not to mention any specific names.

"He's right," Athena told Jack.

"I understand. How about another cycle?" Jack asked, eyeing Omega to see if he was competition.

"Sure, we can talk and work out our schedules. When will you be here next?" Athena suggested, dismissing the unspoken query.

"I'm not sure. I try to come whenever I can get away. How about you?" Jack asked.

"Same here, I'll contact you and let you know. What ship are you on, by the way?" Athena realized she didn't even know that piece of information.

"The Amici," he told her. "I look forward to seeing you again."

"That is one hot man," Omega observed as Jack walked away.

"Uh huh," Athena nodded.

"So I guess you were serious about there not being any guy, before now. Let's get the shuttle," Omega said and they began to walk down the corridor.

"So are you planning to tell me what happened?" Athena asked.

"It was lovely," Omega admitted quietly. "I think things are going to work out now."

"I'm so glad Omega," Athena said sincerely, tears in her eyes as she took in her friend's happiness.

"It'll work out for you also," Omega clasped her hand. "You just need a little faith. Now let's get a drink!"

<><><><><><><><><><>

[Officer's Club]

"Hey Starbuck," Jared greeted the warrior who edged his way in to stand next to him at the liquibar.

"Hi, Jared is it?" Starbuck asked.

"Let me buy you a drink?" the intelligence man asked. "We were a bit harsh before, I want to make it up to you. We've just been a bit stir crazy stuck on that ship. This mission, though not overly exciting, has done wonders for our morale."

"Sure," Starbuck accepted the peace offering. "Great job by the way."

"Thanks," Jared looked pleased at the compliment from the well-known warrior.

"So how do you all know Athena?" Starbuck asked as he affected a casual air.

"She comes over to the ship from time to time to have things analyzed and check out the new technology. Mainly, though, because she dated the head of our lab a few sectars back," Jared handed him a cup.

"Thanks," Starbuck raised his cup to the other man before drinking. "I didn't know she was dating anyone on the Communications Ship."

"Guess her love life is only big news when she's dating famous warriors," Jared speculated. "For her sake, I hope so."

"I know what you mean," Starbuck grimaced.

"Oh yeah, sorry," Jared said sympathetically, realizing he was speaking to the famous warrior himself. "It's great that you two can be friends, even if only half of what the IFB reported was true. I don't mean to sound overly inquisitive or anything, but it sounded really messy between you two and Cassiopeia. I'm glad you all survived it unscathed."

"You mean that we didn't shoot each other or go nuts?" Starbuck joked.

"Yeah, that," Jared chuckled. "We all love her and want to see her happy. You're her friend, you know what I mean."

"Yeah, she deserves the best," Starbuck agreed. "Thanks for the drink."

"Anytime," Jared told him before walking away.

Starbuck leaned back against the bar and took another long drink of ambrosa. He let his eyes wander around the room to see who had come out for the celebration. Though he hadn't gone on the mission himself, three days of deep probe was beginning to make itself known in his body. His muscles ached and his head felt heavy. But more than physically, he was tired emotionally as well. His mind had been running in circles ever since his return from the basestar and he wished he could just stop thinking.

His eyes lingered on Cass who was briefly visible as the crowd parted. Her hands could definitely cure the aching muscles, but they hadn't been able to calm the storm of thoughts crowding his head ever since he had been held in the brig and had only gotten worse over the past few days. The cups of grog and ambrosa he had been sucking down for the past few centars weren't soothing him either.

With a tired expression Starbuck put his half-empty cup on the bar and headed back to his friends.

<><><><><><><><><><>

"I want more details, when are you seeing him next?" Athena asked Omega once they had taken off and were headed home.

"We circled each other warily for a while and then we just admitted we still loved each other and wanted it to work. We made plans for tomorrow. You know, it was a morbid realization that the Destruction is what made it possible for us to get back together," Omega said with a tinge of sadness.

Athena slipped her hands into his as they remembered all the changes the Destruction had wrought on their people's lives. "I am glad that it has brought you together," Athena finally said.

"He was a fool to let you go," Omega took her hand in between his.

"Why does everyone assume he broke it off?" Athena asked, shaking her head.

"Didn't he?" Omega asked, surprise tinging his voice.

"Well, actually no. I managed that all by myself," she admitted.

"You so obviously cared about him," Omega looked at her strangely. "Why did you break it off?"

"I didn't mean to, not initially. Some things happened between us, it was just a case of bad timing," she shrugged.

"Oh, I can understand that," Omega said sympathetically. "So, this guy Jack seems very interested in you."

"He did, didn't he," Athena smiled wickedly. "He's really attractive. He likes kids and they like him. He's educated. He seems nice, I see some potential there."

"I also see some potential with that little boy Noah," Omega told her.

Athena's face started to glow. "He's a wonderful little boy," she said wistfully.

"There! That's the glow I was talking about. So it was a man, albeit a five-yahren old," Omega exclaimed.

"Really?" she looked at him sideways.

"You're attached to him already aren't you," Omega observed.

"Yes, I am," Athena admitted. "I know I'm not supposed to get attached to the kids or play favorites, but how can I help it? Do you know what Jack told me about Noah? He said that he had never seen him so open and animated before. His parents were killed during the Destruction."

"I told you that you have a way with children. They can see you're honest and sincere," Omega sounded proud of himself.

"Don't make me blush," Athena rolled her eyes.

"It's one of the few pleasures in life, don't take that away from me," he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled him against her. "You did good today, kid."

"It's not over yet," Athena pointed out with a sigh.

"She can face Cylons and unknown dangers and little Starbuck scares her," he shook his head.

"You bet your last cubits he does!" she wasn't the least bit ashamed with Omega.

"I'll protect you," Omega burst out laughing.

<><><><><><><><><><>

[Officer's Club]

"Athena, Omega," Sheba greeted the late-arrivals.

"Hi, is there anything to eat around here? I'm starving!" Athena said by way of greeting.

"Not sure," Apollo told her. "Doubt there would be anything left."

"Let me go talk to Yaral," Omega said, referring to the bartender. "I'll get us a couple of drinks too. Anyone need a refill?"

"Yes, ambrosa. How kind of you to ask," Cassiopeia commented, remembering her boyfriend's rude departure a few centons ago and his failure to bring her back a drink.

"I'll be right back. Try not to eat your jacket," Omega teased Athena.

"How were the children? Relieved to see you?" Apollo asked.

"Yes," she smiled. "Oh, I forgot to see Boxey!"

"Don't worry about it. I told him where you had rushed off to and he understood. In fact, he's going to ask if he can come with you some time," Apollo reassured her.

"But I feel so terrible. How could I be such a bad aunt?" she asked.

"Relax, no one's perfect," Apollo hugged his sister. "Besides me."

"Fine, make me laugh, but I still feel terrible," Athena scolded him.

"Well, good. Boxey said you can make it up to him during mid-cycle tomorrow when you take him to lunch," Apollo threatened.

"I bet," Athena snorted. "I can take him to the Orphan Ship then if he wants."

Starbuck came to stand behind Cassiopeia as she finished speaking. "Hi Athena," Starbuck said in her general direction. "I'm beat, I'm going to turn in."

"Alone?" Cassiopeia mouthed at him.

Starbuck hesitated for a few microns. "No, of course not," he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. Cassiopeia smiled brightly at him before turning back around.

"I think what you're doing with those poor orphans is great Athena," Cassiopeia told the young woman sincerely. She didn't notice everyone around her wincing as Starbuck's face went blank.

"I think what they're doing for me is even greater, but thanks Cassi," Athena said diplomatically, keeping her eyes averted from Starbuck, although at that micron she wanted nothing more than to look at him and soothe the sore spot Cassiopeia had unthinkingly rubbed.

"Good night," Cassiopeia told everyone as she slipped her hand into Starbuck's.

"Good night," Starbuck echoed.

Athena was unable to help herself as she heard the undertone of fatigue in his voice and she let her eyes meet his. Her teeth worried her lip as she recognized the anger and pain battling in his gaze. Pity was the last thing Starbuck wanted and Athena knew that Cassiopeia hadn't meant it that way, but that was how it felt to him. Their gazes only held for a few microns, but it felt so much longer to Athena because she had seen so much in that short time.

'Does he think I pity them and him?' she wondered and wished she didn't care.

<><><><><><><><><><>

"Starbuck," Cassiopeia tried to get the distracted man's attention. "Starbuck?"

"Hmm, what?" he turned his head to look at her.

"Is everything all right, I mean with us?" she asked.

"Yes, why do you ask?" he bluffed.

"You've been distracted this past secton, and short-tempered. Almost since you came back from the basestar. I think maybe what I said to you before you left is bothering you," she suggested, yahrens of training giving her words confidence. "I mean, is that why you didn't go on this mission, because of what I said?" she asked, unable to hide the minute amount of hope in her eyes.

"No, no, that didn't upset me," Starbuck stopped walking and turned her to face him. Inside, however, he suddenly wondered if the scene before that mission would explain why he was so upset lately? "And I didn't turn the mission down, I just wasn't assigned."

Cassiopeia studied his face for a centon. "Is that why you're angry and jumpy these days?"

"No, well, yeah, a little. I'm also tired and in need of a furlon," he brushed away her suspicion that he was angry.

"Sounds like a great idea. You do know that if you need to talk anything out that I'm here?" she asked him.

"I know," he smiled at her and put his arm around her shoulders. "Let's get to bed."

"I wish everyone would stop saying that! I just need some sleep!" Starbuck thought to himself as Cassiopeia slipped her arm around his waist as they continued their way to her quarters.

End Chapter 3
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