Title: At The World's End - Part II
By Athena13

Rating: NC-17

Summary: The Pegasus has come and gone leaving Athena, Sheba, Bojay, Apollo, Starbuck and Cassi to pick up the pieces of their lives on the Galactica.

Disclaimer: This is a fiction story based on the series Battlestar Galactica and its characters created and owned by Glen A. Larson. This story is not being sold for profit and no infringement of any copyright rights are intended. All unrecognized characters and plot lines is

mine and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PROLOGUE

**Athena's Journal***

Once again Commander Cain and the Pegasus has headed back into deep space; once again leaving us with little to believe but that he and his crew are dead. Including Orion. A man who once figuratively saved my life has now literally saved it. My head is still spinning from all of this. Was it real? Did I really see him? Did we really make love? It was all too brief a reunion.

And yet we're not left empty-handed this time, and for that I'm grateful. Not having sisters of our own, Sheba and I filled that role for each other. Being daughters of military commanders and famous mothers made the bond all that much stronger. The separate experiences of the past few years, I suspect, weren't all that different.

For instance, working to gain our fathers's approval. Sheba by being the best pilot, me by appeasing Adama and staying on the bridge and treading up the command path.

I wonder how Sheba feels running into Apollo again. I saw how Apollo tried to play down their former acquaintance, must as Father has tried to instill in us the need to maintain propriety on the job and avoid all appearance of favoritism. But I also saw the look in his eyes whenever she was around.

I think that this might be interesting to watch. The attraction between them is one of long-standing, though neither has ever admitted it. It was about time that Apollo let himself live again and I think that Sheba has the same need. I think that they could make each other happy.

Also left behind is Sheba's wingmate Bojay. I don't know him very well yet, but as he let me sit with him and discuss Orion I found myself drawn to him. Something in the way he looks at me or maybe in the way he really listens to me, makes me feel so warm inside. Maybe it's just the connection to Orion? But I don't think so.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHAPTER 1

Galactica Life Center

"I saw him coming out of her chambers in the early cycle. I knew something had to be going on with them still," Brasa was gossiping with Lila when their supervisor Cassiopeia walked into the storage room.

"Ladies, we have too many patients right now," Cassi reminded them with a tired smile.

She knew that they needed a break, Lords knew she could use one, but there wasn't time now. Their latest run in with the Cylons had left them with numerous casualties from both the Galactica and the Pegasus. A lot of them serious. The emotional wounds would just have to wait until they were done.

With a tired sigh Cassi began gathering supplies. She was so preoccupied with her task that she missed the meaningful look between her Med Techs.

~~~~~~~~~~~

A few centars later...

Cassi leaned back on her desk with a satisfied smile. It hadn't been easy, but all of their patients had been seen to and most of them discharged. The current shift could handle follow-ups, she needed some sleep.

"Cassi," a voice called from the doorway.

"Yes Mira," Cassi opened her eyes to find the soft-spoken Pegasus's shuttle pilots she already liked. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, thank you. I just wondered if I could visit Sheba and Bojay" Mira asked.

"Of course, just remember they need their rest," Cassi told her.

"Of course, thank you," Mira turned to leave, then paused and looked back around. "Cassiopeia, can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Cassi asked.

"It's about Lieutenant Starbuck. I've heard a lot about him and he's, well, really good looking. I've heard a lot about him and someone named Athena, is it serious between them?" she asked.

At her last question the friendly smile faded from Cassi's face.

"Athena is the sister of the Lieutenant's wing mate, they're not involved romantically anymore," Cassi said through stiff lips.

"Thanks," Mira said then left.

"What now Starbuck?" Cassi said to herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Galactica Bridge

Athena dropped off her report with Colonel Tigh with a big sigh of relief. After catching some sleep she had just stopped by to hand in her communications summary of the events of the last few days. Now she was on furlon for the next two days. Now that her father and brother had agreed that they wouldn't block her request for a transfer to an active squadron, for the first time in a long time she was looking forward to what would happen next. First she was going to clean up her quarters, then she was going to spend time with Boxey and after that she had reserved time in the viper simulation to work on her recertification. With a bounce in her step she left the bridge.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Brie demanded before Athena even get out a greeting.

"Tell you what?" Athena glanced around the corridor. "You heard about my transfer already?"

"Your transfer? Transfer to where?" now Brie looked confused.

"I'm transferring off the bridge. What were you talking about?" Athena asked.

"Wow, you are a busy girl! A transfer and Starbuck!" Brie grinned at her wickedly.

"Starbuck? What about Starbuck?" Athena asked.

"You and Starbuck. Why didn't you tell me you were getting back together with him?" Brie sighed in jealousy.

"Back together? What are you talking about?" Athena asked.

"I heard all about it! How he was seen leaving your quarters with a goofy grin on his face during the early cycle. Is it supposed to be a secret? He hasn't told Cassi yet!" Brie exclaimed.

"Brie, there's nothing to keep secret. Starbuck and I are not back together. My Lords, you know I just saw Orion!" Athena exclaimed.

"You saw Orion and realized that it was Starbuck you've always wanted, that's what everyone is saying. You can't expect anyone to believe you had that scoundrel in your quarters for centars and nothing happened," Brie said.

"Well it's true," Athena crossed her arms and looked at her friend impatiently.

Brie looked at her friend skeptically.

"Starbuck and I are old friends, that's all. We were just spending time together after a difficult mission. A mission that ended only a few cycles ago," she explained.

"You and Starbuck haven't exactly gotten along recently and anyone can see that you both still have a thing for each other, the air practically sizzles between you! Anyway," Brie changed the subject, "tell me about this transfer!"

"I've requested a transfer to an active squadron," she let the other subject drop.

"What about Adama and Apollo?" Brie asked knowingly.

"They've agreed to not stand in my way," Athena said.

"That's great! I know how bored you've been. Will you give up teaching?" Brie asked.

"I'm not really sure. At least not until they find someone to take my place," Athena said.

"Wow, congratulations. I have patrol now, but we'll have to chat when I get back," Brie

winked.

~~~~~~~~~~

"I can't believe you!" Boomer accosted Starbuck as soon as he got out of the turbowash.

"Can't believe what?" Starbuck headed to grab some clothing.

"What I heard about you and where you were this early cycle," Boomer was following him and shaking his head.

"I really don't know what you're talking about Boom Boom," Starbuck said disinterestedly as he began to dress.

"Athena. Apollo is going to kill you. So is Cassi for that matter," Boomer sat down on Starbuck's bunk.

"Athena and me?" Starbuck asked incredulously.

"It's all over the ship, you were seen leaving her quarters this early cycle," Boomer informed him.

"You've got to be kidding," Starbuck dropped his head.

"No my friend, not kidding. So what's up?" Boomer asked.

"Nothing is up. I spent a few centars with Athena after I got off duty. Then I went and spent the rest of the cycle with Cassi," Starbuck told his friend.

"Just watch yourself Buddy. Things are sensitive now, don't go running back to Athena because you're hurting over Cassi and Cain," Boomer advised gently.

"I'm not running back to anyone Boomer, I'm just going running," Starbuck waved as he jogged out of the room.

~~~~~~~~

Athena grabbed up the empty bottle of Colonial Kaluha and chocola wrapper and tossed them into the waste chute before grabbing some cleaning solution and cleaning up the room surfaces and their cups. Taking her load of disposables Athena padded down the corridor to the waste disposal unit. When she reentered her quarters she found her roommate looking around curiously.

"Looking for something, or someone Rigel?," Athena chuckled at Rigel's guilty start.

"I see you've cleaned up the evidence of a torrid cycle," Rigel teased.

"Oh please don't tell me you're buying that," Athena rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips.

"No, but it's pretty amazing. I mean, considering we just had a major battle over a Cylon stronghold, found and lost the Pegasus and just missed the Imperious leader, you have to admit it's amazing that you and Starbuck have managed to become one of the main topics of

discussion today," Rigel chuckled.

"People need to blow off steam," Athena shrugged.

"Let's just hope it doesn't make it to the IFB this time," Rigel agreed. "So how are you doing?"

"I'm numb if you want to know the truth. It was all so fast, seeing him again and losing him. I'm not sure it wasn't a dream. Maybe I was given a chance to say a goodbye I never had the chance to say before?" Athena suggested.

"That makes sense," Rigel said.

"I don't know if I can grieve this time," Athena admitted solemnly.

"Maybe you're not supposed to Athena, maybe this was the goodbye you needed to close that door forever?" Rigel suggested.

"I hope so. Thanks Rigel. Have a peaceful sleep," Athena said gratefully.

"I will! Oh, I forgot to tell you - you and Starbuck are secretly engaged," Rigel called out as her door closed.

"Great, just great," Athena grumbled as she left to pick up her nephew.

~~~~~~~~~~

Cassi's head was pounding as she left the Life Center. At this point, however, she wasn't sure if it was exhaustion or anger. For the past few centars she had been subjected to constant questioning looks, it seemed that everyone was wondering what Starbuck was up to with Athena.

Though she hadn't had the chance to ask, Cassi was pretty damn certain she was the one who had woken up next to him, but she couldn't come right out and say that. It would only lead to even more rumors and speculation.

At least, she thought ironically, the rumors didn't seem to center on her and Cain.

END Chapter 1
To Chapter 2

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