Title: At The World's End Part 3
Author: Athena13
Copyright: 1998-99

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

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Chapter 10 - Rated NC-17
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"I'm telling you, there was nothing suspicious," Starbuck said with a fumarello in his hand. "Unless of course you count Zahra not trying to interview me down there."

Apollo made a face at his friend, but continued on without comment.

"I don't understand what he's waiting for. I should have gone with you," Apollo sighed in frustration.

"Maybe Iblis isn't around, Athena was probably just dreaming," Starbuck suggested hesitantly.

"No, no, Iblis is around. I can feel it," Apollo stood up and began to pace.

"What exactly is it you feel?" Starbuck asked.

"This sense of...portent, like that strange feeling I had when we first found him," Apollo shrugged, he couldn't explain it either. "Athena's story was so similar to ours. Didn't that strike you?"

"And she heard our stories and could have incorporated it into her dream. Besides, what it's similar to is the ship of lights, not our run in with Iblis. She said Zac was a Lord of Kobol," Starbuck pointed out.

"And those beings didn't appear to us until Iblis did," Apollo pointed out. "And it had to be more than a dream, she shouldn't have survived those injuries Starbuck. You know that as well as I do."

"Yeah," Starbuck looked down uncomfortably. He knew how close they had come to losing Athena, and it would have been all his fault. "We still don't know how to draw him out. Maybe Athena shouldn't be allowed on patrol?"

"Already taken care of," Apollo informed his sister's wingmate.

"How? I bet she loved to hear that, unless you told her your suspicions? Starbuck asked hopefully.

"She doesn't know anything, she doesn't even know that she's going to be kept off flight status, indefinitely," Apollo looked meaningfully at Starbuck.

"She's my wingmate Apollo," Starbuck sighed, knowing that he would keep the information from Athena despite his protests.

"I just want to keep my sister safe Starbuck," Apollo said quietly. "I don't want to lose her."

Starbuck kept silent. There was no point in pointing out that he might lose his sister if Iblis didn't show up and Athena found out what he had done behind her back.

'But at least she would be alive,' the thought echoed through both men's minds.

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"Starbuck, what's going on with Athena?" Cassi asked as soon as she and Starbuck were alone in her quarters.

"What do you mean?" Starbuck asked innocently.

"Adama has ordered that she remain off flight status until further notice," Cassi told him.

"Is that how...I don't know Cass," Starbuck told her.

"What gives Starbuck," Cassi's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Starbuck looked at his girlfriend for a few microns as he worked out what he was going to say. Apollo hadn't told him how she would be kept off status, he hadn't wanted that much information, so he hadn't been prepared for Cassi's question. He did know that he wasn't going to endanger her by telling her about Apollo and Adama's suspicions and that he had to find a way to get her to agree to keep Adama's orders from Athena.

"Adama probably just wants to make sure she's fully healed before she's back on patrol," Starbuck stalled.

"Starbuck, that smacks of preferential treatment and Adama wouldn't do that. It also sounds like you think the Life Center clears unhealthy pilots," Cassi put her hands on her hips. She clearly wasn't going to let Starbuck avoid her question.

"I really can't discuss this with you Cassi, but trust me, it's in Athena's best interest," Starbuck said, hoping that would be enough to satisfy her curiosity, but not holding out much hope.

"Can't or won't?" Cassi asked.

"Both. I don't want to involve you in this anymore than I already have," Starbuck placed his hands on her face and told her.

"I don't know what 'this' is Starbuck," Cassi reminded him.

"And hopefully you won't," Starbuck sighed.

"Does this have anything to do with Apollo's treatment of Sheba?" Cassi asked.

"In a way, yes," Starbuck conceded that bit of knowledge.

"And that is supposedly in _her_ best interest too?" Cassi pressed the point.

"The methods may be...harsh, but yes," Starbuck told her.

"And you're not going to tell me what's going on?" she wasn't really asking.

"No," Starbuck shook his head. "I can't. I wish I could..."

"And you want me to keep this from Athena don't you?" she sighed.

"Yes, hopefully this will all be over soon," Starbuck leaned his forehead against hers.

Cassi dropped the subject, but she still wasn't comfortable with keeping secrets from either Athena or Sheba. And she definitely wasn't comfortable with Starbuck keeping secrets from her. Didn't he trust her?

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"Cass," Cassi heard her name being called down the corridor and she stopped to wait for the man running towards her to catch up.

"Cass, you look lovely," Biehn leaned close and whispered.

"Thanks," Cassi cleared her throat and backed away a couple of steps. She had no idea why this man made her so uncomfortable sometimes, she was a former socialator and no man had ever made her feel this way before. 'I must be losing my edge,' she told herself.

"You're blushing," Biehn's smile widened. "But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about. How is Athena?"

"She's fine," Cassi told him, as she tried to brush aside the niggle of jealousy she felt at his question.

"I just saw her with Bojay and they seemed quite cozy," the Green Squadron leader told her. "I don't like it Cass, she could be in danger with him."

"I know you think he drugged you to get to her Biehn, but you don't know that Athena's in danger," Cassi told him, even though she didn't really believe it.

"Just yesterday you believed that it was Bojay, why are you backing off now?" Biehn didn't seem angry, merely curious.

"What I believe or don't doesn't matter without proof," she reminded him. "Athena will not take either of our words for the accusation."

"I know that. That's why we have to find some proof. If he could do this to me, he's probably done or going to do something else that we can catch him at," Biehn agreed.

"So you want me to play detective with you?" Cassi folded her arms and looked at him dubiously.

"What's wrong Cass?" Biehn leaned forward and asked. "Are you uncomfortable with me? You were committed to doing this with me before. What changed your mind? Did Bojay fool you too?"

"No, Bojay hasn't fooled me. And I'm not uncomfortable with you. I just realized that our proof is pretty flimsy that it was even him who drugged you," Cassi raised her chin.

"Then let's go find the woman he used and talk to her," Biehn challenged her.

"As if she would tell us?" Cassi snorted.

"It can't hurt to ask, and her reaction might tell us all we need to know. Unless you're afraid to be alone with me?" Biehn smiled wickedly at her.

"Fine, we'll find her and talk to her," Cass agreed. "But not now, I have to meet Starbuck for dinner with Adama."

"Good," Biehn nodded, catching Cassi off guard with his enthusiasm in light of her reminder that Starbuck was her boyfriend. "You can keep an eye on Athena and Bojay."

"Are you sure you're not just trying to get Athena back?" Cassi asked him.

"You're not jealous darling? You know you're the only one I love. Do you need a reminder?" Biehn moved his lips within millimeters of hers.

"No!" Cassi exclaimed and jumped back and quickly looked around to see if anyone had seen them. "I'll talk to later. Try and find that woman."

"Will you be alone this night cycle?" Biehn asked.

"Why?' Cassi bit her lip.

"So if I find her I can come get you," he winked.

"Starbuck should be with me, I'll leave you a message," Cassi whispered before hurrying away.

Biehn watched her rush away.

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Adama's family sat uncomfortably in the Officer's Club and Adama couldn't help but note how different this was than even their dinner last secton. Unlike other times, however, the changes weren't positive. For one thing Sheba was missing and her absence cast a pall over the participants, even though her seat was filled with Bojay, Athena's new beau. His presence, in fact, seemed to only make the situation worse as his daughter found a reinforcement for her anger at her brother Apollo.

Apollo sat, as always, to his left. Unlike at other dinners, however, his son wasn't guiding the conversation and for once Starbuck wasn't filling the breach. Starbuck sat squirming uncomfortably in his seat at Athena's left. Next to him, Cassiopeia seemed preoccupied with her own thoughts. Adama didn't fail to notice the speculative glances she cast his way from time to time. Adama could only be relieved that she didn't voice her questions.

Athena sat at her end of the table glowering at her brother with Bojay at her side. Bringing Sheba's wingmate, Adama realized as soon as everyone was seated wasn't the most advisable his daughter could have done this cycle. Bojay's anger at Apollo was apparent in every move he made and every glare he shot at the warrior sitting to his right.

Even Adama, a renowned orator, couldn't think of anything to break this uncomfortable silence. A silence that was probably noted by the other warriors in the room, especially since their clan was usually the noisiest in the eatery on the rare occasions they ventured out of Adama's quarters for a meal.

Adama had a few wishes on this cycle. One was that the meal would end soon. Another was that Ila was there to help guide them. Perhaps it was because he was absent for so much of their growing up yahrens, or just because Ila was just better at being a mediator, but Adama knew without a doubt that his wife could have gotten his children to get past this dispute. For the yahrens they had been on this ship together Adama had been relieved to discover that the bickering he had witnessed during the brief stays on-planet had all but disappeared as his children had grown to adulthood. While there had been the occasional argument, this was the first real breach he had seen between Athena and Apollo and he had no idea how to resolve it. Especially not as he knew that her anger would only increase when Athena learned about her flight status. His daughter wasn't stupid, she would soon figure out that it was engineered. Adama hoped that was later rather than sooner. That was his third wish.

His fourth was that this was all just panic on their part and Iblis hadn't returned for his revenge. His fifth was that Athena would forgive them.

Athena, for her part, sat wondering why she had bothered to even show up for this dinner. She had no intention of forgiving Apollo for his actions, especially since he hadn't expressed any remorse for his actions. Looking at her father, it was clear her decision to at least put a good face on things was not making his life any more comfortable. She shouldn't have let Bojay talk her into attending.

'I thought it was because he cared about me,' Athena thought as another wave of anger and sadness filled her. 'He just needs to control everything! And everyone. Now he's trying to put Sheba in his place! Bojay was right,' she shot another glare at her impassive brother. If they hadn't been in the Officer's Club Athena didn't think she would have been able to keep the reins on her anger in check.

Athena turned her attention to her wingmate. Starbuck looked uncomfortable, she noted with some pleasure. 'Perhaps he's coming to see that blind loyalty to her brother wasn't worth it,' she thought to herself as she remembered all the times she had stood by her brother. No longer would she do that. Not now that he had shown his true colors. She just couldn't comprehend how he could behave in such a cold and calculating manner. And how he could not show any remorse. Not even a hint, however, of apology had fallen from his lips.

"Look at him sitting there so smug, if your father wasn't the Commander...," Bojay whispered threateningly at Athena.

"I would probably help you," Athena whispered back, unable to stop tears from filling her eyes. Betrayed. That was how she was feeling she finally realized. She was glad she would be staying with Boxey at her father's for the next few cycles. Only the Lords knew what kind of influence Apollo would be on his son now.

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"You wanted to speak to me Father?" Apollo entered Adama's office.

"I couldn't help hearing about your, uh, situation with Doctor Porta," Adama began. "I'm used to your sister and Starbuck being the subject of gossip, I certainly didn't expect this from you. And I don't understand how you could treat Sheba this way. She's a member of our family Apollo, I owe it to her father to look out for her. Her absence was more than noticeable this cycle."

Apollo stiffened at the first words of censure he had heard from his father in yahrens. "I regret that Sheba had to be hurt, but if Iblis is back she has to be as far away from me and you as possible. She fell for his charms once."

"We can't be sure that he won't go after her. Either way, was it necessary to hurt her like this?" Adama studied his son. "Don't try and tell me that you 'sacrificed' yourself by sleeping with Doctor Porta."

Apollo blinked at the expression on his father's face. Apollo wasn't sure if he had ever seen the "man" in his father before. Not even during his brief affair with Siress Tinia. Apollo flushed at the implication.

"I thought your mother and I had raised you better than this," Apollo chided gently.

Apollo swallowed past the lump in his throat. He couldn't explain it to himself and he could hardly find the words to explain it to Adama. He felt no pride in having hurt Sheba, but when he was near Porta it was if everything else fell away and only the pleasure they gave each other mattered. And no matter how wrong it might seem he couldn't help himself. Even here, in his father's domain, he couldn't stop the thrill of anticipation that slid down his spine as he pictured Porta waiting for him in his quarters.

"I'm not going to tell you how to live your life, you're a grown man. I just wanted you to know that I expected better," Adama sighed as he realized his son wasn't going to offer any excuses or explanation for his uncharacteristic behavior. Adama could only hope this hadn't anything to do with Iblis.

"Good cycle Father," Apollo said before he left.

Adama sat down at his desk.

"Oh, Ila, it never gets easier does it?" he asked aloud.

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"I don't think I can bear to come to another family dinner with that...him there," Bojay told Athena as they sat in a deserted launch tube.

"I don't think I can either," Athena leaned her head on his shoulder. "But my father expects me there."

"Do you do everything your father expects?" Bojay asked curiously.

"What do you think?" Athena laughed. "Not hardly. But this is the little bit of normalcy we have left. And despite the fact that I am furious with Apollo, we are still family."

"I don't envy you that," Bojay said in disgust.

"You're not going to hold my family against me are you?" Athena asked teasingly as she ran her hand down his thigh. Bojay remained silent, causing Athena to raise her head to look at him. "You aren't are you?"

"No, no. You can't help it," Bojay sighed. "Are you sure you're not adopted?"

"I'm sure. I just don't understand how Apollo could behave like this," Athena repeated for what felt like the thousandth time.

"He's a pompous creep," Bojay shrugged as if it weren't at all unexpected in his opinion. "I warned Sheba about him."

"What did you warn her about?" Athena was surprised.

"That Apollo was nothing but trouble and would only hurt her and she deserved better," Bojay said simply. "She wishes now that she had listened to me. You deserve better to than the way he bosses you around."

Athena remained silent. Her usual defense of her brother was hard to raise at this point. "You've always resented Apollo, why?" she asked instead.

"Because he thinks he's always right and everyone else is wrong. Because he thinks he's perfect. Because he always tries to tell everyone else what to do. Because every mission that comes up he has to be on. He's hardly right now is he?" Bojay sneered.

"He just won't ask anyone to do anything he wouldn't do," Athena said weakly. His dedication to his work was one thing, at least, that she could defend.

"Like tell Sheba he wanted to start a relationship with her and then go sleep with some socialator?" Bojay countered.

Athena closed her eyes and burrowed her head against Bojay's neck. She could hardly argue against Bojay's perspective now, could she?

Bojay's arm settled around her shoulders and he kissed her head, offering her a little comfort.

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Cassi wracked her brain trying to find a way to tell Starbuck she didn't want him staying with her that cycle. Well, want wasn't quite the right word, but she couldn't tell him about what she suspected Bojay had done to Biehn and then explain why she wanted to get to the bottom of it. Starbuck wasn't a master of subtlety and probably would run off to confront Bojay. And Athena.

"I'm really tired, Starbuck," Cassi pretended to smother a yawn. "I don't think I'd be very good company."

Starbuck's smile slipped as he looked at Cassi. "Are you mad because I won't tell you about the thing with Athena?"

"No, I'm not mad. I just need to get a solid chunk of sleep this cycle," Cassi explained.

"Sure," Starbuck shrugged. "Have a good sleep."

"I will," Cassi squelched a little guilt at her lie and leaned over to press her lips against his. As she watched him walk away she reminded herself that there was no requirement that they spend every cycle together. No requirement. No commitment at all.

It wasn't comforting thought as she entered her quarters and went to retrieve the message from Biehn that she knew would be waiting.

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"Boxey is asleep," Athena came out of the spare bedroom and reported to her father a couple of centars later.

"Athena, I wanted to speak to you," Adama began carefully.

"Sure, Father," Athena settled on a sofa across from his chair.

"It's about Bojay. I don't think it's a good idea to bring Sheba's wingmate to our dinners right now," Adama told her.

Athena's face flushed. Bojay was her boyfriend, why should she be barred from living her life because of Apollo's bad behavior? So, despite the fact that she and Bojay had agreed on the same thing, her ire was raised by her father's words.

"I really don't see why I have to modify my life to accommodate Apollo's disgusting lack of character," Athena raised her chin.

"You don't have to modify your life, Athena. I'm just asking you to show some judgment," Adama told her.

"Me! I should show some judgment. That's rich!" Athena stood up. "Apollo acts like a male socialator and I need to show judgment. Why am I the only one who has to make sacrifices?"

"You are not the only one who has to make sacrifices," Adama realized he said the wrong thing and tried to figure out what he was supposed to say now. Sometimes planning battles against basestars was easier than talking to his children. Sometimes the Council was easier to handle!

"No? You don't think so?" Athena jumped in before Adama could speak again. "Where was your call for judgment when Starbuck began to bring Cassiopeia to our dinners and flaunted her in my face? Where is your censure for Apollo's treatment of Sheba. Sheba is left out of our dinners and now Bojay should be too because of Apollo. I thought judgment connoted fairness. Obviously that only applies to the men. I'm going to bed and I'll try and pretend this conversation never happened!"

Athena spun on her heel and headed for her temporary quarters.

A stunned Adama stayed in his seat, not bothering to try and stop her. He was too busy trying to figure out what was with his children. Athena had never displayed such anger at him before. Never had she mentioned that it bothered her that Cassiopeia was included in their family dinners before and after she and Starbuck ended their romantic relationship. He knew it bothered her some, but she had held her tongue for the sake of keeping the peace. He had no idea it had hurt her as much as the pain he had seen in her eyes a few centons ago.

And she hadn't even been told the news that she wouldn't be returning to flight duty any time soon.

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"Porta?" Apollo whispered as he entered his quarters. The confusion and upset that his father's censure had caused slipping away as he caught the faint smell of Porta's fragrance.

"Porta?" he called again into the dark.

He didn't bother to turn on the lift, he rather enjoyed the mystery she had created. His senses tingled as he wandered into the bed chamber.

His blood rushed away from his head as he found her sitting on the edge of the bed.

Before he could utter a word she slipped her hands around his waist and pulled him to her. With efficient motions she unfastened his pants and pulled his already throbbing member from its confines and slipped her lips around it.

With a loud groan Apollo threw his head back and thrust his hips as she took him into her mouth. Her warm, wet mouth surrounded him and every thought he had in his head flew away as he began his ascent towards pleasure.

Porta buried her nails in his bare ass, adding pain to the mix as she sucked and licked him.

Apollo slid his fingers through her long hair as he tried to press himself deeper.

Just as he was about to orgasm she pulled her mouth away. Apollo groaned with need and urgency, but she just laughed.

Ignoring his thrusting hips she slowly removed the rest of his clothes until he was as naked as she was.

They stared into each other eyes for endless microns before Porta moved to stand on the bed. With deliberate, slow motions she eased herself onto his manhood. Wordlessly, Apollo's hands slid up the back of her thighs until he was supporting her.

Then she began to squeeze him.

"Oh Lords," Apollo moaned as she tightened her inner muscles around him over and over. Helpless to do anything but keep them upright Apollo let her have her lead. He was already close to the edge thanks to her earlier ministrations and it took all the rest of his energy to hold back until she was ready.

"Bite me," she ordered.

Desperate, Apollo followed her orders and bit his teeth around her shoulder.

With a gasp, Porta's nails dug into Apollo's hips and they fell backwards onto the bed.

Without any hesitation, Apollo began to slam himself into her body. With aggressive motions he spread her legs further and began to tease her clitoris to try and speed up her release.

Sweat began to slide down the backs of his thighs as he drove them upward to the peaks of passion. Their muted cries filled the room to mix with the sound of slapping bodies.

Centons passed.

Hands grasped and let go as they searched for purchase.

Then Apollo felt her begin to convulse uncontrollably around him. With a triumphant cry he pressed his mouth to hers as he made her orgasm again and again before he let himself go.

When the passion had been spent, they lay, breathing heavily, on the bed.

'It's never been like this before,' Apollo thought to himself as his senses and coherent thought returned.'It's almost like I'm not myself when I'm with her,' he realized.

Porta's hands pushed him away as she slid out from underneath him and got up to go clean up.

Apollo turned onto his back as he heard her leave the chamber. With a shaking hand he wiped the sweat off his brow.

END Chapter 10

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