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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHAPTER 8 - Hurtling towards Fate
Rated NC-17
Apollo held his hand against Porta's back as he led her back to his room. Though his touch was light his hand was tingling from both feeling her body move beneath his palm and her soft hair brushing against it as they walked. Apollo was rather embarrassed to discover that his hand wasn't the only part of his anatomy that was tingling. Here he was a grown man who was a warrior and a father, was once a husband and his body was behaving like he was still in secondary school.
Then again, considering how long it had been since he had made love to a woman, or even come close for that matter, he probably should be glad to discover he was still capable of reacting in this way. He just wished that it wasn't so damn obvious. He had a strong feeling that this scientist didn't miss much.
Not that Sheba didn't arouse him, he couldn't help but admit, but he had been so busy fighting his reactions to her that hadn't allowed himself to feel relief or anything else for that matter. Sheba, the thought of what he was doing to her, to them, instantly cooled his ardor for the woman beside him.
'It's to keep her safe,' he reminded himself, pushing back his guilt and unease as he continued to lead Porta to his quarters.
At last they arrived and Apollo moved away to turn on the lights. He had never brought a woman here with romantic motives, other than Serina, he suddenly realized as light filled the room. Not that what he was feeling for this woman was all that romantic he admitted to himself as his eyes raked over her seductive figure. His arousal sprang to life again as he watched her study their surroundings.
"This is a really nice place, I was expecting something resembling barracks, but this seems like a home," Porta was wandering around picking up and studying the various keepsakes and possessions scattered around the room.
Since she wasn't looking Apollo didn't bother to avert his gaze. Unlike some other women he knew, Porta didn't try and disguise her womanly attributes. Apollo, therefore, was treated to a splendid view of her rounded and firm rear and shapely thighs. His palms were practically tingling as they itched to trace her curves. He tightened his grip around the bottle of ambrosa he still carried.
Porta, curious about her companion's silence, turned around and intercepted his heated gaze.
Apollo felt a flush rising in his cheeks as he realized he had been caught. Still, he couldn't stop himself from continuing to trace his gaze over her firm breasts, small waist, curved hips and firm thighs. As his gaze rose he was pleased to notice that Porta's nipples had hardened, indicating that his desire was not unrequited.
"Are you tired?" Apollo asked.
"Yes, but I'm not quite ready to sleep just yet," Porta walked over and took the bottle of ambrosa out of Apollo's hand. "So how about we share another drink until we're ready for bed?"
"Sure, let me get some cups," Apollo busied himself with the task, wondering what exactly she had meant by her last comment. Still uncertain, Apollo turned back and handed her the cups, which she immediately filled with the mind-altering liquid. Apollo suddenly wondered if perhaps he had already drank enough for one evening.
As Porta's lips touched her cup, however, his mouth went dry and without further hesitation he began to gulp down his own.
"Why don't we sit," Apollo motioned towards a couch.
"Actually, if you don't mind I'm a bit uncomfortable. I've been wearing this dress all day and would love to change into something more comfortable. Um, we didn't think of it before, but do you have something I can borrow to sleep in?" Porta put her cup down on the table in front of the couch.
Apollo swallowed the lump in his throat before speaking. "Yeah sure," he cleared his throat and rose to go find her something to wear.
He was rummaging through his wardrobe when he heard her enter the bedchamber. His hands closed around an old shirt and he pulled it from the closet. His heart was pounding as the reality of the situation began to set in. This was his marriage bed and a room her had never shared with any woman besides his wife. And a bed he had recently planned to share someday with Sheba. The hand holding the shirt shook at his emotions threatened to overwhelm him.
He forced himself to remember the sight of his sister's broken body on that planet. 'This is to save Sheba's life!' he reminded himself harshly.
His resolve stiffened, he turned around to hand Porta the oversized shirt.
A few microns later the shirt slipped to the floor, forgotten.
"You're overdressed," Porta looked up at him boldly.
Apollo's swallowed as his eyes drank in the sight before him now. Porta had clearly been very uncomfortable in her dress because she apparently couldn't stay in it for another few centons. She stood before him now, in front of his bed, cloaked only by her long blond hair.
His eyes glanced down at the dress lying forlornly around her feet
Seeing his stupor, Porta stood in all her naked glory and waited for him to move.
Apollo, slowly, dragged his eyes back up her body. His fingers began to tingle as he imagined himself touching each part he subjected to his aroused scrutiny. When his gaze settled on the blond curls at the apex of her thighs his fingers pretended they were stroking through her wetness and he imagined he could taste her on his tongue.
His eyes traced their way up her taut stomach.
He watched as her nipples hardened under his perusal and he anticipated how they would feel and taste.
Suddenly, unable to take the pressure in his pants he stalked towards her and pushed her down onto the bed. Without preliminaries he spread her thighs and kneeled down in front of her. Gently, he brought the fingers of his left hand to her center and spread her juices through her clitoris.
"Lords," he breathed as he confirmed how ready for him she was.
Slowly, he slipped two fingers inside her and began to stroke her, wanting to see her as turned on as he was. When his strokes began to make her hips thrust towards him he bent down and began to stroke her center with his tongue. He continued to taste her arousal until she began to mewl and her thighs locked around his head. With a salacious grin he began to suck and let her juices roll down his throat.
Soon she was shuddering against his face and he could feel her begin to convulse around his fingers.
With precision timing he removed his fingers and slipped his tongue inside her, feeling her release around his taste buds.
After her body stilled he rose and began to climb over her body. Finally, he had her where she had had him since they met. Open and waiting for _his_ seduction. He rubbed his still clothed erection against her stomach as he captured her mouth with his and fed her her own taste.
He didn't pause as her hands reached down and undid the fastening of his pants. When his penis was pulled free he groaned into her mouth as she began to stroke him. Part of him wanted to turn his attention to her breasts, the other part of him, the part she held in her hand wanted to thrust inside her until he reached the release he felt to be so close now.
As if she read his mind, Porta positioned him at her entry way. He pulled away and looked down at her. Porta's blue eyes were dilated Forgetting the civilized part of his mind he slammed inside her and watched as her eyes slipped closed.
Faster and faster Apollo slammed into her. He was amazed at her responsiveness. Her body was writhing below him and her hips lifted to meet his every thrust. He could feel her muscles tightening around him and pulling him deeper with every thrust. He was shaking, he was so close to his release. But he refused to let go until she reached her own.
For centons they battled each other for dominance until finally he heard her begin to cry out in release. Having won, Apollo let go and took his ecstasy with her.
"Major?" Porta gained his attention again. "Perhaps you should undress and say awhile?"
"I see what you mean about sleep," Apollo murmured in her ear as she began to pull the rest of his clothes off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Next morning cycle]
"So I get sprung today?" Athena asked, the relief in her voice more than obvious to Doctor Salik.
"Yes, but you're not returning to duty for at least a secton, if not longer," he warned her.
"I knew it was too good to be true," Athena mumbled under her breath.
Doctor Salik rolled his eyes and a grin touched his lips. Despite her grumbling, he was glad to see that Athena was able to display a demeanor at all, even if it was one he would more likely expect from her brother or his friend Starbuck. "If you want to help out at the school, that's fine, but no running around with the kids or you'll be back here so fast you won't have time to notice your head spinning!" he warned.
"How about if I promise you that the only thing I want to do right now is get some sleep without being checked on every other centar by some med tech checking to see if I'm alive!" Athena said with a smile of her own.
"Sleep might be a good idea, I understand you've had a bit of insomnia," Salik said with raised eyebrows. "I could give you something to help you sleep?"
"No thanks, no mind-altering substances are wanted here," Athena waved her hand. "I'll sleep just fine once I'm in my own bed."
"What's this about your own bed?" Bojay said from the open doorway.
"I'm getting out of here," Athena hopped of the bed and rushed towards him.
"Ahem," Salik hinted behind her, nodding in approval when she slowed her pace.
"Can she leave right now?" Bojay placed a hand on Athena's back and asked the doctor.
"I don't see why not," Salik answered the warrior. "But make sure she doesn't do anything strenuous, or I won't give you clearance for two sectons, no matter what your examination might reveal."
"In that case you'd better take the Doctor's advice," Bojay grinned at the grumbling woman at his side.
"Thanks Doc," Athena walked over to her father's old friend and planted a kiss on his cheek. "It's not that I don't enjoy the company here," she assured him before returning to Bojay's side.
"Good, because my feelings are always hurt when my patients walk out of here on their own accord," Salik quipped, to the amusement of the warriors. "Now get going before I find that the bed looks empty without you."
"You needn't say it twice!" Athena assured him and pushed Bojay towards the Life Center exit in ahead of her.
Salik shook his head, still smiling. She definitely was Adama's daughter. "Speaking of which, I'd better inform the Commander that she's been 'sprung'."
~~~~~~
"Hello Athena, Bojay. I see the Doctor is letting you out for good behavior," Cassi ran into the pair at the Life Center entrance.
"Yeah, but threatened to revoke my parole," Athena laughed. "Cassi, I just wanted to thank you for taking care of me. I appreciate it," Athena clasped the blond Med Tech's hands for a micron.
"It's my job," Cassi smiled.
"Still, thanks," Athena insisted.
"I have to get this former patient of your to her quarters and to bed. See you later Cassi," Bojay put his arm around Athena's shoulders and began to lead her away.
Cassi watched them walk away with an intense look on her face. She still wasn't positive, but she had her suspicions about Bojay. Her reverie was interrupted by the arrival of another acquaintance.
"Porta," Cassi exclaimed. "What are you doing here again...," Cassi paused as she took in Porta's clothes and recognized them as the same ones she had been wearing the day before.
"Yes, my dear friend, I never left," Porta winked.
"Working late? Where did you stay? You could have come over," Cassi asked as she began to sort through patient records on her patient database.
"Well, I did work late. On my way home I ran into a mutual friend of ours and I ended up staying the night," Porta said mysteriously.
"A mutual friend of ours on the Galatica? Doctor Salik?" Cassi's jaw dropped.
Porta threw her head back and let out a genuine gale of laughter. "Lords no. Give me a little more credit than that. No, this would be a certain Major Apollo. Such a handsome and interesting man. Talented too, which is surprising after all the stories I had heard about him being celibate since his wife died," Porta grinned.
"Apollo," Cassi echoed hollowly. "You spent the cycle with Apollo?"
"Didn't I just say that. Now tell me you're happy for me and I'll be on my way back to my ship. I do have to get back to work," Porta was amused by her friend's shock.
"I didn't know you even knew him," Cassi said mechanically, her mind still reeling from the disclosure.
"I didn't until a couple of days ago, but obviously I know him quite well now. Don't tell me you're not happy. He's best friends with your boyfriend, I think this is handy. I'll try not to tell him too many stories about your former profession if that's what you're worried about. I don't think I even mentioned that we grew up together," Porta whispered. "Anyway, I have to catch the next shuttle. See you later I'm sure."
"Porta and Apollo," Cassi sat down abruptly. "What about Sheba? Oh my Lord, how can I tell Sheba? How can I keep this from her?"
~~~~~~~~
"Glad to be home," Bojay asked from the doorway as Athena kicked off her shoes and settled on the couch.
"Yes, are you coming in?" Athena opened her eyes and looked at her boyfriend.
"I was just making sure I was welcome," Bojay told her as he walked over and sat down on the couch next to her.
"Why in the universe wouldn't you be?" Athena asked him incredulously.
"I came by last night and you seemed pretty cozy with your _wingmate_," Bojay sneered the last word. "It looked like your experience made him realize he wanted you back," Bojay shrugged casually, although the intense look in his eyes countered the gesture's intended effect.
"Usually your jokes are funnier than that," Athena rolled her eyes as a frission of discomfort traveled up her spine.
"Probably because I wasn't joking," Bojay grabbed her hand and roughly turned her around to face him.
"Are you feeling insecure?" Athena smiled at him. "You actually are jealous of Starbuck? He's happily involved with Cassi. He and I were long over by the time we met, why in the world do you think either of us wants the other? But I am flattered," Athena leaned in and pressed her lips against Bojay's, trying to defuse the situation.
Bojay didn't respond for a few microns, but Athena refused to give up. Turning up her efforts a notch Athena slid her body against his and slid her tongue over his resisting lips.
As soon as Bojay felt her tongue on his lips they parted and he began to kiss her back ferociously. His hand slipped under her hair and pressed her even closer to him.
After a few centons Athena pulled back and breathing heavily she looked into his eyes. "Feel better now?"
"Yeah," Bojay said sheepishly, his hand moving from her neck to stroke her back. "So let's get you tucked in before I forget you're still injured."
Athena sighed in disappointment. They still hadn't made love to each other and that pleasure was apparently going to have to wait a little longer. "Yeah, sure," she said dully.
"Hey, soon," Bojay helped her stand and held her hand as they walked to her bedchamber. "I know you want to show me how grateful you are that you don't have to be alone," Bojay kissed her neck.
Athena's eyes flew open, a strange look on her face. It wasn't anything he hadn't said before, or that she hadn't said to him, but somehow it struck her oddly just then, but as he continued to nuzzle her neck her concerns melted away and her eyes closed again. Her fingers slid into his hair and she wondered whether she might change his mind about the day's activities.
~~~~~~~
"You have got to be kidding me," Sheba laughed.
"No really," Jolly insisted.
"I believe you, I just can't believe him," Sheba assured her friend.
"Yeah, it is kind of unbelievable," Jolly's face broke out into a smile, showing that he had been teasing Sheba and wasn't really offended.
"What's so unbelievable?" Apollo put his tray on the table and sat down next to Starbuck.
Sheba looked up at him with a glare. "That you have the guts to sit at the same table as me," she looked down at her tray and mumbled under her breath just loud enough for everyone hear.
"You look tired buddy," Starbuck jumped in before Apollo could respond to Sheba's pointed comment.
Apollo looked from Sheba to Starbuck, the flush in his cheeks deepening.
"What...," Starbuck began to ask when he suddenly seemed to realize what was embarrassing his friend was more than just Sheba's anger towards him. A fact which Starbuck confirmed by taking a closer look at Apollo's neck. 'A love bite!' he sat back, shock in his face. After a few moments he recovered his breath and looked over at Boomer.
Boomer looked from Apollo to Starbuck, a knowing look in his eyes.
Starbuck broke their glance first, looking towards Sheba briefly and then at his tray. He couldn't believe his friend could be so callous. Or stupid. He had held himself back from a social life since Serina had died, he finally decides to give it a try with Sheba, then he changes his mind and that night he ends up in bed with someone else! Then appears at the mess hall tired and with love bites on his neck and tries to talk to the woman. 'Man, even I'm not that brave,' Starbuck shook his head.
"We have to be on patrol shortly," Apollo stood up, grabbing a roll from his tray. "I'm going to see Athena first."
A subdued rumble of goodbyes followed Apollo's departure. As did Sheba's angry eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hello Major Apollo," Cassiopeia said formally as he entered the Life Station.
"I wanted to check on my sister before leaving for patrol. Is she awake yet?" he asked, not noticing her tone.
"Athena was released this morning," Cassi informed him coolly.
"So soon?" Apollo's forehead tightened in a concerned gesture. "Is that wise?"
Cassi bit back a retort at his loaded question, but it was hard not to say something about _his_ ability to make wise choices. In fact it was impossible. "I saw my friend Porta this morning. I was quite surprised to find out she had spent the night on the Galactica," Cassi looked him in the eyes.
Cassi was almost satisfied to see the embarrassed flush on Apollo's face as he immediately understood the message behind her seemingly innocuous words.
"Sheba and I have plans at the natatorium in a couple of cycles. You know, I think Porta swims, she might like to join us sometime," Cassi smiled innocently at him.
Apollo's mouth tightened, but he refrained from comment and just turned on his heel and walked out.
Cassi's momentary feeling of satisfaction disappeared as soon as the source of her turmoil did. She still had to tell Sheba what Apollo had done. Cassi wasn't sure if anything she'd done over the past yahren had seemed this difficult.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I can't believe the Council decided that the planet Athena disappeared on is suitable for dropping off Baltar. It's practically too good to be true," Starbuck tried to engage his quiet, temporary wingmate in conversation.
"Yeah," Apollo mumbled in answer.
Starbuck sighed. It was about the tenth "yeah" that he had elicited from Apollo since his arrival in the launch bay. Unfortunately, it was the _only_ vocal response he had gotten. He couldn't endure this for another eight centars. He found himself actually looking forward to Athena being cleared for duty again - at least she made conversation.
That thought was the last straw! He was _not_ happy with Athena as his wingmate, dammit!
"Bojay has chosen his team, I noticed you weren't on it," Starbuck observed, hoping that would get a rise out of Apollo.
"Yeah," Apollo grunted.
"Dammit Apollo, I'm going to shoot you if you don't speak in full sentences," Starbuck exclaimed.
"What do you want me to say?" Apollo asked him.
"What the hell happened last cycle for one thing?" Starbuck demanded, trying not to relive this morning's uncomfortable reunion in the Mess Hall.
"I had some fun, I thought you were always encouraging me to do that," Apollo said evasively.
"Don't try to pin this on me," Starbuck said.
"I'm not blaming you for anything, but it is rather hypocritical for you to be lecturing me about this," Apollo pointed out.
"Hey, I may have played around but not like this. You just told Sheba you would try for a commitment, then you changed your mind and ended up in bed with some other woman," Starbuck defended himself.
"Who was she anyway?" Starbuck asked curiously.
"Um, excuse me," Apollo cleared his throat. "Did you or did you not propose to _my sister_ and then end up in a launch tube with Cassi not too long after that?"
"Well, she rejected me," Starbuck said weakly.
"The way I hear it she asked you to give her a little time. I'm not, however, going to argue with you about that now, I'm just reminding you of your own romantic peccadilloes," Apollo pointed out.
"Fine, fine, point made. So who was this woman who swept you off your feet?" Starbuck asked.
"Porta, she's a scientist," Apollo told him.
"Porta...she helped find a cure for that virus, I remember her. She and Cassi are friends. I never figured you for her type," Starbuck said the last comment almost to himself. "I'm more her type, actually."
"Oh, and what does that mean?" Apollo said hotly, squirming in his seat as his friend's words hit a bit close to home. He wasn't about to admit that he had felt the same way.
"Well," Starbuck stalled to try and word his opinion delicately. "She seems a bit fast for you and she tends to go out with men who, are, um...," Starbuck struggled for words.
"I know what you're trying to say. She likes men a little more into the game than I've been," Apollo stated dryly.
"Yeah, well, that's what I meant," Starbuck cleared his throat. "Though you do seem to have caught up. So you slept with her already," Starbuck said thoughtfully.
Apollo audibly sighed. "Please don't tell me you want details," Apollo said dryly.
"Why, are there any worth hearing?" Starbuck joked.
"Ha ha," Apollo said.
"So what about Sheba?" Starbuck asked.
"What do you mean?" Apollo played stupid.
"Are you going to at least tell her what is going on? If you won't tell me, she deserves to know," Starbuck said soberly.
Apollo sighed heavily. Perhaps Starbuck had a point. Sheba deserved some sort of explanation from him, and maybe telling Starbuck what he suspected was going on would be a good idea. It's not like he'd ever been able to keep a secret from his best friend anyway.
"I think Iblis is back," Apollo stated.
"What?" Starbuck was thrown by the seemingly unrelated comment. "Don't tell me you're going to claim Porta is Iblis and used her, his power to get you into bed?"
"No," Apollo tried not to laugh out loud at Starbuck's outrageous and thoroughly creative excuse. "No, I'm staying away from Sheba because I think Iblis is back. I think he had something to do with Athena's disappearance. It would explain why those light beings would return and save her," Apollo said in practically a whisper. "He's probably looking for revenge against me and my family."
Starbuck was silent for a few centons while he processed his friend's suspicions. He had no reason to doubt his friend and yahrens of reasons to trust his friend's instincts. He wished Sheba didn't have to get hurt, but Apollo was right to worry about Sheba, of all people, being to close if Iblis was after Apollo and his family. His hand suddenly clenched as something occurred to him.
"And we might just be delivering Baltar to him on that planet," Starbuck said angrily. "Baltar seemed to know who Iblis was."
"Yeah," Apollo said tersely.
"I'm not sure we could do much, but we've just left Athena and your father at Iblis' mercy while we're out here, dammit Apollo, you could have done something to change this schedule!" Starbuck said in
frustration.
"Frak!" Apollo didn't even think of that. He was just relieved to be leaving the Galactica and being able to avoid Sheba. He hadn't thought about the fact that his sister might be in immediate danger having possibly survived Iblis' attempts to kill her or use her against Apollo.
"Maybe we should arrange for someone to watch over Athena in the Life Center," Starbuck suggested.
"She's been released," Apollo said shortly, his mind working to figure out how to handle it. He didn't want to let Iblis know they were onto him being around, but at the same time he didn't want his sister defenseless. "Let me get my father on a private line and tell him my suspicions."
Apollo was furious with himself. He was so caught up in his own feelings he had forgotten all about his own family, even Boxey. "This is Major Apollo, I need to have a private word with my father."
"Is everything all right out there," Omega broke in.
"Yes, fine Omega, this is, uh, personal," Apollo didn't have to fake his embarrassment. He did kind of feel like a stupid kid calling his parent at the office, something he rarely did when he was a kid. He would only call their mother if it was an unavoidable emergency, such as he was about to kill one of his younger siblings.
"What is it Apollo?" Adama's voice reverberated in Apollo's ears.
"Is this a private channel?" Apollo asked.
"Yes, now would you tell me why this is necessary?" Adama said patiently.
"I've been thinking, I think Iblis is back, if he ever left. That would explain Athena's experience," he told his father. "I didn't think about it before I left, but perhaps Athena shouldn't be alone. He might come back to finish her off," Apollo said tightly.
"And he might just come after you out there. I want you and Starbuck to return to the ship immediately, we'll arrange for another team to go out there," Adama didn't voice any doubt in his son's suspicions. In fact, they weren't all that far from his own.
"And if they're taken?" Apollo asked. "How would we explain it?"
"It was the light beings who took our pilots before, not Iblis. If he wanted anyone else he's had ample opportunity. But you're right about finding an explanation. I will insist that your sister stay in my quarters for now and arrange for some discreet protection. Same with Boxey. I'll keep an eye on Sheba, too," Adama said authoritatively.
"Thanks Dad," Apollo sighed.
"You be careful out there," Adama told his son and cut the channel.
"Starbuck," Apollo called his wingmate. "Father is going to watch Athena and Boxey. And Sheba, although she's going on the mission with Bojay and Baltar," Apollo began to realize he really hadn't thought things through very clearly after all. "I haven't thought this through very well, have I?" he admitted to his best friend ruefully.
"No, you haven't," Starbuck said simply, no hint of censure in his voice. "But your heart was in the right place, well mostly," he couldn't help joking at the end. Sleeping with a beautiful woman was more his territory than Apollo's and while he had tried over the yahrens to encourage his friend to live a bit more, he couldn't be proud of the timing, all things considered.
"Well, you have another seven and a half centars to work this through and my help to do it," Starbuck told his friend.
"Yeah, where to start," Apollo mumbled.
"I'd say with this mission Bojay, of all people, is leading," Starbuck said logically.
"You don't like Bojay much anymore, do you," Apollo asked, his eyes narrowed in curiosity.
"He's not the same warrior I once knew," Starbuck said carefully.
"So it's not just because he's with Athena now?" Apollo asked.
"No," Starbuck quickly denied his friend's suspicion. "I don't think he likes you much."
"Well, I've gotten that feeling myself, although I have no idea why," Apollo shrugged.
"Perhaps he's in love with Sheba?" Starbuck speculated.
"I don't think so," Apollo tested the theory out in his mind. "I just don't get that vibe from him. And Sheba would have noticed."
"Well, he just better treat Athena right," Starbuck put the matter to rest. "Bojay has been given charge of the mission, but you're his superior and you could order him to put you on the team," Starbuck pointed out.
"I thought of that, but my presence might just make things worse. I just can't know what Iblis has in mind," Apollo said in frustration.
"Well, I'll be there," Starbuck reminded him.
"Maybe I should go," Apollo suggested. "Not that I don't trust you, but...," Apollo trailed off.
"I know," Starbuck said shortly. Apollo liked to do things personally, delegation was not his strong point.
It was something Starbuck never took personally considering he was the same way. "At least Athena won't be on the mission. It might be better if I was the one who stuck close to Sheba anyway, all things considered."
Apollo didn't bother to respond. His stomach was already sinking as he realized just what his cycle of passion would do the other warrior when she found out. Well, he wanted to keep Sheba away from him, he couldn't have succeeded better if he had planned it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Athena," Biehn called out to the passing officer. "Athena!" he repeated when she refused to slow down.
He caught up with her and grasped her elbow. "You can't avoid me forever."
"Why, I thought I was doing pretty well," Athena glared at the handsome warrior who had broken her trust a few sectons ago.
"I know. I've been wanting to talk to you for sectons. Will you please listen to me?" he pleaded.
"There's nothing you can say that I want to hear," Athena pulled her arm out of his grasp. "I don't talk to two-timers."
"Except Starbuck," Biehn said bitterly.
"Then perhaps you should have known how your behavior would hurt me!" Athena hissed and stalked away.
"Frak!" Biehn ran a hand down his face. In the sectons since Athena had caught him with another woman he had been wracking his brains trying to figure out how to get Athena to listen to him so he could explain.
"What's wrong?" Cassi's hand wrapped itself around his broad shoulder.
"I just saw Athena. She still won't talk to me," Biehn turned around and ran his eyes appreciatively over Cassi's body. "Is that a new dress?"
"Um, yes," an attractive blush bloomed across the Med Tech's cheeks as she looked down at her soft pink dress.
"It looks lovely on you," Biehn said in a seductive tone.
"Well," Cassi cleared her throat. "You said you wanted to talk to me about this whole situation," she changed the subject.
Biehn smiled at her stiff posture for a few microns before putting his hand on her lower back and guiding her towards an empty storage room.
"Do we have to talk in here?" Cassi looked around the small, dark room.
"Well, I didn't think you wanted to be seen with me or be overheard," Biehn bent down and whispered in her ear.
"No one can hear us in here, you don't have to do that," Cassi backed away until she almost stumbled over a box. With a thud she ended up in a sitting position on that same box.
"I know, but I love the sparkle in your eyes when my breath caresses your skin," Biehn teased.
"Biehn, I'll leave if you don't stop that!" Cassi moved as if to stand up.
"No," Biehn kneeled down and put a hand out to hold her in place. "I'll stop if you really want me to. I do need your help. Athena needs your help. The fact that I'm falling for you can wait."
"Biehn!" Cassi exclaimed, squirming under his restraining hand.
"One more question and then I'll get down to business," Biehn murmured, his lips centimeters from hers.
"What question," Cassi whispered, her eyes locked with his.
"Do you like this," Biehn whispered back before capturing her lips with his.
"No," Cassi moaned as his tongue entered her mouth and his fingers entwined themselves in her hair.
"I love Starbuck," Cassi said breathlessly as Biehn pulled a box over and sat down.
"So you say, though you never look like this when you're with him," Biehn observed her flushed face, heavy breathing and sparkling eyes. "But I promised to get down to business. I still need to find some
way to prove that Bojay drugged me to get me out of the way so he could get Athena. I also need to find out why!"
"Perhaps because he's in love with her," Cassi took a deep breath to bring her body back under her control.
"Drugging me and setting me up with another woman seems pretty drastic. I'm afraid he might hurt her," Biehn shook his head. "He seemed pretty manipulative with her even before that happened. Whatever the reason I'm afraid he's going to hurt her. I can't go to her brother with this, not without proof. You have the only proof we have so far, my blood test showing I was drugged. Athena will never believe me right now, even if I could get her to talk to me."
"So what can I do?" Cassi asked with silent resignation. She was just as concerned about Bojay's motivations and actions.
"Just watch her, you're part of her group. If you see any signs that he's hurting her tell me," Biehn leaned forward and told her, his eyes conveying the seriousness of his concern.
"She hardly confides in me you know," Cassi reminded him.
"Maybe not, but you're around her. And your boyfriend is now her wingmate, that makes them close regardless of their history. He'll notice and he'll tell you," Biehn brushed away her point with logic.
"I'll do my best," Cassi sighed. "If Bojay is a danger wouldn't Sheba know?"
"Obviously she doesn't realize what he's like. We both know he drugged me, but I doubt Sheba would condone that type of behavior," Biehn reminded her.
"I know, it's just so unbelievable," Cassi said sadly.
"It'll be all right," Biehn promised.
"I hope you're right," Cassi looked away from his piercing gaze.
END Chapter 8
Chapter 9
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