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 9 - Tensity

"Aren't you supposed to be resting?" Colonel Tigh asked the young woman who entered his office.

"You mean lying around and being bored? Perhaps if I was on a beach somewhere that would seem

inviting," Athena shrugged and sat down in a chair in front of his desk. "Right now I'm just going nuts

between those walls. There has to be something I can do until I'm cleared for patrol...which I hope is soon?" she asked hopefully.

"I think Doctor Salik said another few days. I could ask him if you could fill-in some bridge shifts in the meantime?" he suggested.

"Well," Athena said hesitantly. "I was hoping for something a bit more substantial? Do you need any help with anything?"

"Afraid you'll get stuck there again?" Tigh chuckled understandingly. "I guess you could help review these schedules and look over some of our planned communications upgrades. You wouldn't need to ask Doctor Salik for permission to do that."

"Thanks," Athena sighed in relief. "Hand it over!"

"Enjoy," Tigh passed his information disks over the desk into Athena's waiting hand.

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

Athena had put the first disk into her hand-held and was heading towards the bridge to compare the schematics in order to come up with the upgrade schedule that Tigh needed. She wasn't watching where she was walking, not expecting anyone else to be in the short corridor between Tigh's office and the Bridge when she bumped into a solid form.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't think anyone," Athena started to apologize when she realized it was Sheba she had bumped into. "Sorry, Sheba."

"How are you doing?" Sheba cleared her throat and asked.

"Fine, just bored so I'm doing some administrative stuff for Tigh. Are you all right?" Athena looked at her friend closely. "You look like you've been...crying."

Sheba had opened her mouth to deny the impression, but suddenly decided to come clean to her friend. She had to talk to someone. "Can we talk alone somewhere?" she asked quietly.

"Sure, I can look at these later. Um, how about the Dome? I don't think that my quarters are empty," Athena suggested.

Sheba hesitated a few microns before nodding in agreement.

"So tell me what's wrong?" Athena turned to her friend ten centons later as they seated themselves on the floor.

"It's your brother. If talking about this makes you uncomfortable, just say so," Sheba said earnestly.

"Not at all. Tell me what he did," Athena brushed aside her concerns.

"He just started acting so cold to me after your accident. You know we were just...it seemed like he and I really had a chance now," Sheba seemed to have trouble getting the words out.

"I'm sure he's just a bit freaked out because of what happened to me and he started to think about the possibility of losing you. After Serina..." Athena comforted her friend.

"That's not it, at least not all of it," Sheba shook her head. "Athena, he slept with someone else last cycle."

"What?" Athena's eyes widened in shock. She had to be hearing her friend's pained whisper incorrectly. That definitely didn't sound like her brother! "You didn't just say..."

"I did. Cassi just told me that Apollo had...slept with a friend of hers last cycle," Sheba confirmed Athena's understanding. "At least you didn't know too."

"Know?! If I knew Sheba Apollo would be in the Life Center not on patrol!" Athena said angrily as she tried to assimilate this new development. Was she still unconscious? Apollo treating himself and Sheba this way? This definitely wasn't like him. "Who..." Athena started to ask when she realized how insensitive that seemed. But Apollo didn't normally engage in such sexual escapades, and there was no other woman Athena had noticed who had engaged his attentions.

"Porta, a scientist or something that Cassi knows," Sheba answered the aborted question. "I've met her a couple of times, but I've never seen her and Apollo even in the same room. I don't understand this Athena. I just can't believe this. I thought I knew him better than this. I didn't think he was the kind of guy who did things like this!"

"You weren't mistaken Sheba. Not completely anyway. He's never, to my knowledge, done anything like this before. He...I know he cares for you a great deal Sheba. I know he's wary of getting hurt again and we both expected him to push you away a bit until he was ready, but to deliberately hurt you like this. And to sleep with some woman...I've never seen or heard of him sleeping with some strange woman. Are you sure? I mean, is Cassi sure?" Athena asked.

"She's sure," Sheba didn't bother relaying all the evidence Cassi had, from Porta's confession or Apollo's embarrassment, it was hard enough to admit any part of this.

"God, I'm so sorry. When I see my brother..." Athena broke off threateningly.

"Please don't say anything. It'll just make things worse for everyone if you fight with him on my account. And I don't want him to have the satisfaction of knowing just how much he's hurt me," Sheba raised her chin as she regained her pride.

"I won't say anything then on your behalf, but I'll have plenty to say on my own! Do you know how many times he's tried to lecture me about responsibility and pride in my body and then he goes and does something so reprehensible! I promise I won't tell him anything you tell me, but I'm bound to find out from other sources soon enough. There are no secrets on this ship," Athena was too angry to remain silent about Apollo's actions for long. No, her brother would definitely have his own lectures thrown back in his face soon!

"If there's anything I can do Sheba, I'm always here for you," Athena said in a more sympathetic tone before moving forward to embrace her friend. "Always."

"Thanks Athena," Sheba said as a tear slid from her eye.

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

"Tigh, I want you to have Athena informed that we need her quarters for new bridge crew and there isn't yet a space in the pilot's barracks for her," Adama informed his friend without ceremony.

"She'll know it's not true," Tigh reminded him.

"Play around with some assignments," Adama had confidence in his second-in-command's abilities.

"I suppose this is just because you want her staying with you while she recuperates," Tigh surmised. "But she should be back on active status in a few days at the outside."

"It's too early to tell," Adama said enigmatically.

"What's going on?" Tigh's suspicions were aroused.

"It's too early to tell yet. Just get things in motion," Adama turned and walked out of Tigh's office.

Tigh let out a breath and shook his head as he turned back to his monitor and began to carry out his commander's orders.

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

Apollo's steps faltered when he saw his sister standing with her hands on her hips in the landing bay.

'Frak,' he sighed to himself as he slowed his steps and vainly hoped that she wasn't as angry with him as she looked. 'She must have found out about Porta,' he surmised.

As soon as the blond scientist's name flitted through his head he felt himself getting hard beneath his uniform. Inhaling sharply, Apollo attempted to push all thoughts of lust from his mind. It wasn't an easy task, however, since he felt blind sided by the very fact that here he was dreading facing his sister's wrath and he was finding himself aroused by this woman he barely knew.

Well, barely knew was a bit of an exaggeration. He knew her very well. Every nook and cranny, in fact. Not knowing her for long was a bit more accurate.

Despite the strange thoughts floating through his head and his exhaustion he straightened his posture and headed towards his sister.

"I can't believe you!" Athena hissed as soon as he reached her.

"It's none of your business Athena," he didn't bother to pretend he didn't know what she was talking about.

Athena's lips tightened as she struggled to contain her fury. 'None of my business! Apparently only my life is fair game around here!' she thought to herself.

"Hey partner," Starbuck walked nonchalantly up to the glaring siblings. "How are you feeling?"

Athena's eyes widened as she turned towards her wingmate. "Perhaps I should be asking you that?" she answered, failing to be amused by his attempt to lighten the atmosphere. "I presume you know what _he_ did last late cycle?"

"Yeah, that's his business," Starbuck shrugged.

"So you condone the fact that he's hurt Sheba and you have no concerns that he's acting completely out of character," Athena glared at her wingmate. "I might have expected that from you!"

"Hey," Starbuck's humor disappeared. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Sensitivity and honor not being your usual mode of operation when it comes to women, that's what I mean!" Athena clarified. "Why should I be surprised that you would condone such behavior. You treated _me_ like that, why should you have more care for our friend Sheba? I guess all the yahrens of hanging out with you has finally rubbed off on him."

"Don't make this about me," Starbuck's patience began to disappear. "I had nothing to do with this, and neither did you."

"That's just the point isn't it? It's all right for you two to treat sex as if it were a game of triad, but if I ever did the same," Athena threw up her hands. "I thought you had more respect for others and yourself Apollo!"

"I'm not discussing this with you," Apollo said tersely and stalked off.

"I thought I knew him. I can't believe he's done something like this and has nothing to say for himself," Athena looked disgusted.

"Leave him alone Athena, you don't understand," Starbuck stayed behind to try and repair the situation.

"I don't understand. No I guess I don't. I don't understand how either of you could behave this way. Unless I just never knew my brother at all," Athena finished quietly.

"Athena," Starbuck started in a sympathetic tone as he realized just how hurt Athena was by her brother's out of character behavior, but he promised Apollo he wouldn't explain why he was behaving this way. Starbuck couldn't break that promise, it was too dangerous considering the fact that Iblis could read minds. The less people that knew of their suspicions the better. Starbuck just hoped that once everything was over, assuming they could survive Iblis another time, that the damage could be repaired.

"What?" Athena looked at Starbuck hopefully. Now that her anger was drained, all she could feel was an emptiness. An emptiness caused by what seemed to be the loss of her last brother. She was looking to Starbuck to return her brother to her.

"Nothing," Starbuck shrugged.

"Whatever," Athena spun around and walked away.

Starbuck couldn't wait until Athena was cleared for patrol again. Those would be some truly lovely cycles.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next Day

"Maybe I should come along after all," Apollo paced in front of Starbuck's viper.

"It'll be all right Apollo, I'll keep an eye on her. And Bojay will be there," Starbuck reassured his friend.

"Bojay, great," Apollo scowled at the mention of the other warrior.

"He cares for Sheba, he won't let anything happen to her. Besides, if you come along the only danger will be from Sheba blasting you," Starbuck reminded him.

Apollo nodded, a pained look on his face.

"Good luck," Apollo clapped his friend on the back before turning and leaving.

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

"I wish I could come," Athena told Bojay as she watched him check his viper.

"Me too, that's why I had chosen you," Bojay flashed her a grin over his shoulder.

"It's pretty historic," Athena said mostly to herself. "I for one am glad we'll be dropping of that evil."

"I think most of the Fleet would prefer we terminated him on a special IFB presentation," Bojay finished his check and moved to put his arms around her.

"Believe me, the thought has crossed my mind now and then, but it's too barbaric. I still don't know why I can't come along, I feel fine!" she sighed as she put her arms around his torso.

"It's just a quick drop off," Bojay tried to downplay the importance of the mission she was missing out on due to her recent injuries. "We'll be back before you know it and you'll be glad you didn't have to suit up, check your viper and tag along."

"You should let me pilot the shuttle then," Athena tried one last effort.

"It's not my decision sweet, you're not medically cleared. Of course, you could act like you wingmate and his pal and come along anyway," he teased.

"That thought crossed my mind too, but Mess duty doesn't seem all that inviting," Athena chuckled at the image of sneaking off the ship and going along anyway. "This is one time I'm happy to sit on the bridge though, at least I'll know what's going on. Without having to pay attention to Zara's coverage."

"Your brother will probably be there too, even though he doesn't belong there," Bojay said with studied disinterest. "Are you going to forgive him?"

"No," Athena stiffened. "I can't believe _you_ would even suggest that."

"I am Sheba's friend and he has hurt her terribly and I can't condone such horrible treatment of a friend, but I'm your friend too and he's your brother. I would understand if you forgave him," Bojay said gently.

"You're so generous," Athena smiled and looked at his face. "But I have nothing to say to him. I'm completely disgusted by his behavior and his total lack of remorse!"

"Well, I'll support you no matter what you do," Bojay told her.

'Unlike my family,' Athena thought to herself. "Thanks Bo. You'd better get going, this is your command. Good luck."

"I don't need luck. Will I see you later?" he asked as he reluctantly let her go.

"Yes, but I'm staying at my Father's so I can't stay out too late," she didn't seem very happy with the situation.

"Why?" Bojay paused.

"Apparently some snafu in sleeping assignments. They already reassigned my old bunk with Rigel but they haven't made a space in the pilots's barracks yet. So I've moved back into the nest. At least I'll be able to keep a closer eye on Boxey and make sure his father doesn't warp his morals completely. Or that tart he's taken up with," Athena's anger at her brother surfaced.

"He's a lot more like Starbuck than I had realized," Bojay remarked. "I have to go, but I expect you to be waiting."

"You bet," Athena winked at him before heading for the bridge.

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

Athena got to the entrance of the bridge when she found her way barred by Colonial Security.

"Excuse me," she tried to brush past them.

"We're sorry Lieutenant, you are not authorized to enter," she was informed by an apologetic looking officer.

"What?" she took a step back. "Do you know who I am?"

"Yes, Lieutenant Athena," Reese stepped past his compatriot. "We've been asked to keep all unessential personnel off the bridge during this sensitive mission."

"You don't have any authority here," she reminded him. "You only have authority over civilians and civilian activities. I'm here on official military business."

"You're no longer a bridge officer and we've been asked to keep anyone who is not assigned or cleared by the Council or the Commander off the bridge," he informed her.

"Then go ask my Father," she said impatiently.

"Um, Athena, we've been told not to allow you access," the other officer informed her.

"What? There must be a mistake. My brother is there, he's not bridge personnel!" she caught sight of her brother pacing in front of the command bridge over the officers's shoulder.

"He's been cleared by the Commander," Reese didn't sound pleased by that fact.

Athena opened her mouth to argue but changed her mind. "May I see Colonel Tigh?" she said instead.

"I'm sorry, he's in the war room and cannot be disturbed," she was informed.

"I can't believe this!" Athena was clearly furious, but having no desire to attract the attention of the IFB crew that was stationed on the bridge she turned on her heel and went to watch the broadcast with her nephew and his friends.

She'd deal with her father and brother later.

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

"You sure we can't just 'accidently' shoot him as we're taking off?" Sheba asked over her comm.

"We should have locked him in a shuttle with autopilot and just shot him down," Starbuck grumbled.

"So how come he's getting this VIP treatment?" Boomer asked.

"Come on, the IFB and the entire Fleet might be monitoring our communications," Bojay reminded his team.

'Wonderful,' Starbuck thought to himself. 'But at least if Iblis tries something here there will be a record and some witnesses. It might be the only way Athena is going to forgive any of us.' Before they had left Apollo had filled him in on the rest of his plan to protect his sister. Now she was going to be staying with their father and kept off active duty with a bunch of excuses. While Starbuck didn't mind flying with Apollo again in the least, he wasn't so sure anymore that Apollo had a handle of things.

Now Starbuck was not one to cast stones at Apollo for sleeping with the sexy scientist, notwithstanding the timing. Neither was he free to try and talk Apollo out of trying to protect Athena. The Lords of Kobol knew that after her last brush with death he himself was willing to lock Athena in a supply closet for the duration. Starbuck, however, questioned Apollo's logic. To protect Sheba he was pushing her away so that she was out of range as much as possible if Iblis struck, but Athena and Boxey he was bringing closer into the family fold and the line of fire by having them stay with the Commander. If he didn't trust Apollo and his belief that Iblis was back, Starbuck might begin to suspect that Apollo was having an extreme emotional reaction to his feelings for Sheba and his fear of losing the people he loved.

"I have the planet on visual," Boomer's voice interrupted his train of thought.

Starbuck looked out his viper hatch and couldn't suppress a shiver as he too caught sight of the planet where they had thought they had lost Athena. "Where I lost Athena," he wouldn't let himself forget that it was his stubbornness that had led to Athena going missing and possibly into the clutches of Iblis.

"All right people, let's land and secure the area," Bojay ordered.

"I can't believe we're going through this much trouble for this guy," Starbuck expressed his displeasure.

"It's cathartic for the Fleet," Bree reminded them. The IFB also had a crew along on the shuttle so that the Fleet could experience the leaving behind of Baltar. Luckily, Adama had convinced the Council that making transmissions directly from the planet to the Fleet might alert any nearby baseships of their location so the planetary images would be viewed when they returned. Starbuck wasn't so sure, however, whether to be relieved that once the Council realized there could be danger involved that maybe they shouldn't go along - Starbuck wouldn't have minded leaving some of them behind too. Accidentally of course.

With a smirk, Starbuck put aside his musings for the time being and started his descent.

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

Sheba stood with her hands on her hips taking in the scene before her. The IFB was waiting impatiently for the shuttle doors to open again and for their "star" of the day to step out. The warriors had finished unloading the shuttle and had set up a tent and provisions for Baltar. For her it only capped off days that were just, well, wrong.

Athena disappearing and turning up alive.

Baltar getting star treatment.

Apollo doing...what he did.

Athena not speaking to her brother.

Somehow, looking the provisions that had been unloaded for this master of genocide was actually beginning to seem like a typical event in her life.

"Looks like we're done here, all we need is to start the band and march out the main attraction," Boomer remarked as he came to stand by Sheba's side.

"Unbelievable isn't it?" Sheba shook her head.

"I still vote for Apollo's idea to just drop him from the shuttle from orbit," Boomer said unthinkingly.

Sheba stiffened at the mention of the man she was trying, and failing, to forget.

"I'm sorry Sheba, I didn't mean to..." Boomer began to apologize as he saw Sheba's strained face.

"Don't worry about it Boomer," Sheba shrugged away his apology.

"What's wrong Sheba?" Bojay asked quietly as he walked up to the other warriors.

"Nothing," Sheba answered him. "We were just discussing how disgusting all this is."

"Boomer, why don't you go get ready, Baltar will be released in a couple of centons," Bojay told the other warrior.

"Sure," Boomer said with a worried glance at Sheba before walking away.

"I really wish you would let me kill him," Bojay whispered to his wingmate.

"I can take care of myself and he isn't worth life on the prison barge," Sheba told her wingmate.

"Life on the prison barge? Are you kidding, I'd probably get the Baltar treatment. More maybe, I'm sure there are a lot of people who would love to see the Commander's know-it-all son gotten rid of," Bojay snorted.

Sheba looked at her wingmate curiously for a micron. "Let's just get his over with," Sheba told him.

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

"Adama, may I speak candidly," Tigh said quietly so Omega who was sitting at his post on the command bridge wouldn't overhear.

"Of course," Adama looked questioningly at his second in command.

"I've seen the order you sent to Doctor Salik, are you sure this is really necessary?" Tigh asked.

"Yes, you'll have to trust me on this," Adama told him.

"I do, but your daughter might not be so understanding," Tigh pointed out. "I wish you would tell me why you're doing this. I'm sure you're not trying to show preferential treatment, but..."

"It's best if you don't know. Athena will understand when the time comes," Adama turned his attention back to their current mission, effectively ending the conversation.

"If you say so," Tigh muttered under his breath.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Galactica Life Center

Rather than watching the monotonous coverage of the Baltar drop off Cassi left the room where all the patients and workers in the Life Center were watching the IFB coverage and settled down to review some files for upcoming status evaluations. She couldn't deny the sense of relief she felt at Starbuck being on a mission about which she didn't have to worry. Although, she had to admit Starbuck had been acting cagier than he ever had before a truly dangerous mission.

'Perhaps he wishes it was more dangerous,' she thought wryly.

As she cleared another record she took a sip of water before beginning the review of the next one. For a few centons she scanned the pages and typed in a few notes. All of a sudden her eyes widened and she moved closer to the screen, as if to make sure she wasn't misreading Doctor Salik's last notation.

"What? This doesn't make sense," she muttered to herself as she went back over the data.

Off Status until further notice

Medical Clearance not to be granted

Orders of Commander Adama

It was Athena's records.

End of Chapter 9

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