Title: The Cutting Room Floor: Auto-Pilot 
Author: Twin Goddess (Athena13@ixpres.com)
Rating: NC-17
Classification: SBAR

Summary: Like father, like son. Post "The Man with Nine Lives" 
story.

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.

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

Starbuck couldn't remember a time when he felt whole.

Since meeting Apollo he had always been a welcome member 
of his family, but it didn't make up for the fact that he 
had no blood family of his own. No one he could look at and 
know, no matter what happened, that person would always be a 
part of his life. And while he would never take for granted 
his surrogate family, it just wasn’t the same as having 
people with whom you shared genetic characteristics and the 
ties of blood.

And yet, until meeting Chameleon and being taken in by 
the possibility that the man might be his father, Starbuck 
thought he had accepted facing the world alone.

Now he had to admit that he hadn't.

Perhaps it was something he should have seen about 
himself before. Should have seen how hard it was for him to 
trust and open up to people, even people who he knew loved 
him.

This morning he hadn't cared what the test results would 
show. He had been so certain that Chameleon was his father 
and that he would finally have a family of his own. And 
despite the fact that Cassi had told him the results were 
negative, Starbuck knew in his heart that the elderly man 
sitting next to him in the shuttle _was_ family. He refused 
to believe otherwise.

Starbuck fought back his feelings of melancholy as the 
shuttle approached the Senior Ship. He had hoped that 
Chameleon would be able to stay aboard the Galactica, but 
Adama had ordered him to live aboard the Priscus under the 
watchful eye of Siress Blasi. And he knew, however he might 
wish or intend otherwise, his warrior duties would keep him 
from visiting as much as he would like.

Both men had been lost in their own thoughts during the 
last centons of their trip, but the silence, far from being 
uncomfortable, was characterized by an ease usually only 
possible between good friends, or family members. That fact 
wasn't lost on Starbuck.

Chameleon smiled at the man he had last seen as a young 
child as he expertly prepared for landing.

'What a fine man he turned out to be,' he thought as 
Starbuck received clearance to land the shuttle. 'A kind, 
handsome man, the best warrior in the fleet and a determined 
gambler... what more could make a father proud?' Chameleon 
beamed.

Unlike Starbuck, Chameleon knew that Starbuck was the 
young son he had lost all those yahrens ago. He only wished 
that Asherah could be here to see her son now. Chameleon was 
sure she was smiling down from above, not only at Starbuck, 
but at him as well. He had found their son and, hopefully, a 
better life as well. And despite his white lie, he intended 
to be apart of their son's life.

Almost as if he was reading the other man's mind, 
Starbuck spoke. "Chameleon, would you mind if I referred to 
you as my father? I know the test results were negative, but 
they did say we were family," Starbuck asked hesitantly as 
they stood waiting for the shuttle hatch to open.

"I would be honored," Chameleon felt a twinge in his 
chest at his deception, suddenly hating the lie he had told. 
Still, he couldn't allow his son to give up his life for 
him. "Very honored," he said earnestly.

Starbuck put a fumarello in his grinning mouth and headed 
out the door, and faced the promise of a new life that 
greeted them.

"Chameleon, Lieutenant Starbuck," Siress Blasi floated 
towards them, taking each man by the hand. "I'll bet both of 
you are glad that the Nomen have been reined in and the 
mystery has been solved."

"Well, I don't know about happy," Chameleon began, 
referring to the test results.

"As far as I'm concerned, we're very glad," Starbuck 
interrupted, smiling confidently at the elder woman. "And 
might I say you are looking beautiful as ever?

"Of course you may! Ah, two men as charming as 
yourselves," Siress Blasi beamed at them, "you must be 
related."

Starbuck couldn't resist. "Smart _and_ beautiful," he 
nodded at the Siress.

"Now you know why I'm here Starbuck," Chameleon added 
with a wink.

Siress Blasi blushed. "I'm not sure I can handle both of 
you," she teased, turning and hooking an arm of each man and 
leading them out of the bay. "I'll show you around a bit and 
then to our quarters, but then I'm leaving you two alone for 
a while." 

"But I just got here my dear and you're leaving me so 
soon?" Chameleon smiled at her, a twinkle in his eyes. 
Despite his initial apprehension, he knew when to cut his 
losses and make the best of a situation.

"Not for long," she replied. "I just have some shopping I 
want to do on the Rising Star. Besides, I thought you two 
might want to spend some more time alone before Starbuck has 
to get back to the Galactica."

"Well, I hope you plan on seeing a lot more of me 
Siress," Starbuck interjected. "I plan on visiting my father 
a lot."

"I wouldn't have it any other way Starbuck," she 
insisted.

Starbuck's initial hesitation at "abandoning" Chameleon 
on the Priscus immediately disappeared at the Siress' words 
and the passing of many smiling faces and greetings in the 
corridors. 

The ship's inhabitants lived a quiet life, their ship 
tucked safely in the middle of the Fleet. It rarely suffered 
any damage during Cylon attacks and they had plenty to keep 
them occupied, whether it was recreation or performing 
important tasks for the fleet. It was obvious they led happy 
and fulfilled lives.

Chameleon would probably be happy here as well, as long 
as he got to make frequent trips to the gambling rooms of 
the Rising Star.

As they toured, the Siress was explaining the various 
amenities found on the ship. Starbuck, however, was 
distracted as a familiar figure caught his eye when they 
entered the Commissary. It was then he realized that he 
hadn't seen her during his most recent experience. He 
wondered how Apollo and Adama would explain everything to 
her. Especially after he introduced the man as his "father."

Lost in thought, he hadn't realized that Siress Blasi had 
led them straight to the object of his musings.

"Are we checking out Lieutenant?" Siress Blasi inquired 
of the young woman. "Sire Uri hasn't hoarded all the ambrosa 
again has he?"

"No, Siress Blasi," Athena smiled at the woman's 
bluntness. "All of the provisions for the Priscus are 
accounted for."

"Was there ever a question?" Starbuck, suddenly 
concerned, interrupted their conversation.

"The more influential of the Fleet's population still 
have a tendency to persuade the supply ships to drop a few 
extra shipments where they don't belong," Athena explained. 
"It doesn't happen as often as it did following the 
Destruction, but it still happens on occasion and the 
Commander has me doing unscheduled checks on some of the 
more vulnerable ships," Athena concluded, now eyeing the 
unknown man in their company.

"Well, it's nice to know that someone is looking out for 
us," Chameleon smiled at her.

Athena felt an instant liking for the unknown gentleman. 
Indeed, there was something familiar about this man that 
Athena couldn't put her finger on. Something about his 
smile... his demeanor. 'He almost reminds me of...,' 
Athena's eyes widened as she recognized the almost 
intangible resemblance between this man and Starbuck.

Her thoughts were quickly confirmed. "Athena, I don't 
believe you have met my father, yet. This is Chameleon," 
Starbuck proudly introduced. "Chameleon, this is Lieutenant 
Athena."

Something about the way Starbuck was looking at this 
woman and had said her name intrigued Chameleon. He knew 
that his son was involved with Cassiopeia but, if family 
blood was true, there was every possibility that Starbuck 
was caught in the same web he had been caught in many 
yahrens ago. There was only one way to find out.

"Of course," Chameleon stepped forward, graciously taking 
her hand and kissing it's surface. "The Commander's daughter 
and Apollo's sister. It's a pleasure."

"Well, I must say I am surprised to meet Starbuck's 
father. Not that I didn't notice the family resemblance 
almost immediately. You both have the same roguish charm," 
Athena winked at the elder gentleman. "However, while I am 
very proud of my father, I do hope that you would consider 
me to have an identity of my own."

"I can vouch that she does," Starbuck mumbled almost 
inaudibly.

As Athena shot the blond warrior a furtive glance, 
Chameleon thought he detected a slight flush rising in her 
cheeks. His thoughts were confirmed, there was definitely 
_something_ between these two.

Turning back to Chameleon, Athena composed herself before 
speaking. It wouldn't do to snipe back at Starbuck in front 
of others. "It's a pleasure to finally meet _you_ Chameleon. 
I had no idea that Starbuck had found you. I hope that you 
will consider me a friend and I'd definitely love to find 
out what else you two have in common," she finished 
impishly.

"What were you saying earlier about 'smart and beautiful' 
son?" Chameleon commented.

Athena felt her body tense at Chameleon's use of the word 
'son' in reference to Starbuck, suddenly struck by the 
momentous nature of this meeting.

Her brother's best friend had lived most of his life 
alone and to now have someone he could call his own, well, 
she could only imagine what he was feeling. Maybe he would 
finally believe that he belonged and was worthy of what he 
had earned?

Athena also wondered if Adama felt a sense of loss at 
Starbuck finding his own father.

"What can I say," Starbuck replied, trying to out-charm 
his father. "We're surrounded by it."

"And before I get caught up in it," Athena rolled her 
eyes, "I need to finish my survey so I can get back to the 
Galactica."

"I'm going to help Chameleon settle into his new quarters 
and then I'll be heading back myself," Starbuck shrugged. "I 
have a shuttle here if you need a ride back?" As soon as the 
words left him mouth Starbuck found himself regretting them. 
'Now why did I say that?'

Athena looked at Starbuck suspiciously before answering. 
"Actually, that would be helpful. The rest of the team is 
from the Council and will be glad to save themselves the 
trip to the Galactica." It would also give her an 
opportunity to find out how all this had come about. "I'll 
meet you in the launch bay in say...?" she trailed off, 
uncertain how much time he would be taking with his father.

"Half a centar?" Starbuck finished for her, suddenly 
eager to share his recent experiences with her before her 
family got a chance. Besides, Athena could always be counted 
on to cut through the muddle in his head without undermining 
his feelings. Traits he was counting on for when he admitted 
Chameleon wasn't really his biological father.

"It was nice to see you again Siress," Athena bid her 
leave. "And it was a pleasure to meet you Chameleon. Our 
family likes to have dinner together as much as possible, I 
certainly hope you will be joining us often. And you as well 
Siress."

Starbuck's heart beat faster and he thought he might 
burst with joy at her inclusion of Chameleon at family 
dinners. The rest of his "family" hadn't quite warmed up to 
Chameleon yet and he was happy to have someone in his 
corner. Maybe now Starbuck could convince the man to attend. 
And somehow he knew that Chameleon and Adama could become 
friends once they got to know each other. A mix of 
personalities like him and Apollo, he realized.

"I look forward to that my dear," Chameleon again kissed 
the back of Athena's hand.

Athena accepted her hand back and, after casting a glance 
at Starbuck, made her way back to her duties.

"Such a lovely girl," commented Siress Blasi. "I never 
did understand what happened between you two."

Starbuck shifted uncomfortably. He hated that so many 
people knew about his relationship with Athena, and the 
circumstances surrounding its unpleasant demise.

Chameleon raised an eyebrow at the news and thought 
perhaps he should pay more attention to those IFB gossip 
reports after all. "Why don't you show me our quarters 
Blasi, it sounds like my son and I have a few things to 
discuss," Chameleon addressed the Siress.

Siress Blasi smiled knowingly and led the men to Gamma 
Deck and the quarters that she and Chameleon would be 
sharing. 

Voicing the hope that Starbuck would be a frequent 
visitor and kissing Chameleon on the cheek, she departed for 
the Rising Star. Leaving father and son to discuss the past. 
And the future.

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

"Are you going to be comfortable here? I'm sure Adama 
didn't intend to order you into the Siress' bed," Starbuck 
asked when he realized there was one bed chamber.

"It will hardly be a chore. I'm sure I'll have a very 
pleasant life with the _rich_ Siress," Chameleon laughed at 
his son's concern.

"We must be related," Starbuck shook his head in 
amusement.

Chameleon turned away and pretended to inspect his 
luxurious new surroundings. "So, I have to admit I haven't 
kept up with the Fleet gossip. Tell me about you and 
Athena," he asked casually.

"Not much to tell," Starbuck shrugged. "She's my best 
friend's sister and we were romantically involved for a 
while. It's over now and I'm with Cassi. You told me 
yourself how lovely she is," he said defensively.

"So when you told me that Cassi was the only woman you 
considered settling down with you weren't omitting any 
facts? Or persons?" Chameleon sat down and asked with raised 
eyebrows. "Athena is a rather beautiful and, uh, vibrant 
young woman."

Starbuck sat down on a sumptuous chair across from the 
elder man. "Well...," he said hesitantly.

"Just as I thought," Chameleon nodded. "Remember how I 
told you that Cassiopeia reminded me of your, my wife," he 
corrected himself quickly before continuing. "What I didn't 
tell you was that before we were sealed there was another 
woman in the picture."

"What happened?" Starbuck sat down across from the 
other man, admittedly intrigued.

"I was young and foolish. So was she, for that matter. 
I loved my wife dearly, don't get me wrong," Chameleon was 
suddenly grateful that Starbuck didn't know that Asherah was 
actually his mother. "But, I have to admit more than a 
passing regret over the yahrens that I let Ciara go in such 
a cavalier manner."

"So why did you marry your wife? What happened to 
Ciara?" Starbuck asked.

Chameleon sat back and thought for a centon before 
answering. "By the time I met Asherah, Ciara and I had let 
our relationship deteriorate. Foolishly, I must admit. 
Asherah was like a breath of fresh air. Unlike Ciara she 
seemed to instantaneously understand me. She didn't try to 
change me. In truth, it was only with the experience of my 
relationship with Asherah that I came to recognize my own 
failings with Ciara.

"Asherah was much more mature and experienced than I 
was. Ciara and I, on the other hand, were both young and 
impetuous. Don't get me wrong, I never regretted my sealing 
to my wife, we were very happy for the yahrens we were 
together and it did lead to the birth of our son, but we 
never had the same fire and passion I shared with Ciara. 
Perhaps it was just the difference between youth and 
maturity, I've never figured it out," Chameleon explained 
carefully.

"So what did happen with Ciara? How did you break up?" 
Starbuck leaned forward as he asked.

"Ciara wasn't ready to get sealed when I asked her. She 
only asked me for more time, to wait while she accepted the 
things that were going on in our lives. I had expected an 
instant acceptance, as we all do at those times, and I took 
her request as a rejection of me rather than her attempt to 
give our future a more solid start. I walked away from her 
an angry and bitter boy. Then I met Asherah, and she helped 
me become a man."

Starbuck suddenly felt as if he had been kicked in the 
stomach. "Did you ever see her again?" Starbuck asked in a 
low voice.

"Ciara left Umbra after I got sealed and I only saw her 
once again, yahrens after I lost my wife and son," Chameleon 
admitted.

"What happened?" Starbuck asked.

"She was sealed to someone else, we had dinner together 
and I never saw her again," Chameleon told him.

"Was she happy?" 

"I believe she was. But that evening," Chameleon 
stopped speaking for a centon as he remembered. "It was like 
we were still young and in love. By the end of the evening, 
though, we both came to our senses. We had grown up and 
moved on and we silently agreed not to see each other again. 
But those few centars, the sparkle in her green eyes took my 
breath away," Chameleon finished with a far-away look in his 
eyes.

Starbuck looked down at his hands. "I sort of proposed 
to Athena after the Destruction," he admitted quietly. When 
Chameleon didn't speak, he continued. "She asked me to give 
her some time deal to with everything. She had just lost her 
mother and our world. She had just listened to her brother 
killed on _my_ patrol. I refused to give her time and, when 
she lashed out at me in her anger and grief, I walked away 
and literally found Cassi."

"Did you propose because you loved her or because you 
were reeling from your losses and guilt?" Chameleon queried.

"I cared about her a great deal. Our relationship until 
then had been fun and exciting. She was one of my best 
friends. When we lost everything, when I finally accepted 
it, she was the first person I thought about. The one person 
I was most afraid of losing. The person I thought I would be 
able to hold onto, and then she rejected me," Starbuck said, 
finally looking up.

"Did you approach her again later?" Chameleon inquired.

"Not about that, neither of us mentioned my awkward 
proposal. We just continued to date occasionally, but I 
couldn't allow myself to be close to her anymore. It hurt 
too much walking away the first time and...well, let's just 
say that a lot has happened that has changed our 
relationship," Starbuck hesitated, not wanting to reveal the 
launch tube incident to his father, but doing so anyway.

"So you 'sort of' proposed, refused to give her time 
and never gave any indication to her that you wanted her and 
not just anyone," Chameleon observed perceptively. "Then she 
finds you in the arms of another woman only centars later," 
he shook his head. "Quite frankly I'm surprised Athena can 
be civil to you now or so graciously include you in her 
family, your friendship with her brother notwithstanding," 
Chameleon told his son bluntly. "I take it Cassi included in 
your family dinners too?"

"Yes," Starbuck squirmed in his seat.

"Do you love Cassiopeia?" the father asked, certain of 
the answer he would receive.

"Yes I do," Starbuck said with certainty.

"Do you love Athena?" Chameleon asked quietly, wanting 
to be sure his son didn't suffer a lifetime of needless 
wondering. Hoping that, unlike himself, his son would 
resolve his feelings and doubts before it was too late.

"As a friend and sister, yes," Starbuck said 
hesitantly.

"And as a woman?" Chameleon persisted, hoping that 
Starbuck would confront his feelings and work them out.

With a shrug Starbuck stood up and turned away. "It 
doesn't matter now. I am with Cassiopeia."

Chameleon's mouth tightened in frustration at his 
stubborn son. Was this what he had missed all these yahrens? 
Child-rearing was as hard as he imagined. There was no point 
in forcing the issue today. 

"I know it's none of my business," he stood up and 
walked over to his son. "I'm just an old man trying to 
encourage you to make up for my regrets. Ignore my 
ramblings," he said with a forced joviality. "When you have 
furlon next perhaps we can try the new system I'm working 
on."

He placed a warm hand on Starbuck's shoulder and urged, 
"Now go... Athena will be waiting for you at the launch 
bay."

"New system?" Starbuck grinned at the man he considered 
his father. 

"All in good time, there's still some bugs to work out. 
Now get going, I need to find out what there is to do on 
this old people's ship. Hopefully something more than 
lotto," Chameleon said with a groan.

"If you're anything like me, you'll have a pyramid game 
set up in no time," Starbuck waggled his eyebrows. "I'll be 
back soon," he promised and awkwardly shook the older man's 
hand.

"How about a hug for a senior?" Chameleon asked and 
embraced his secret-son.

"See you soon," Chameleon waved as Starbuck left the 
room. "Son," he whispered to himself.

<><><><><><><><><><><>
 
Athena was leaning against the shuttle, her eyes 
closed, when Starbuck entered.

Without realizing he did so, Starbuck paused to watch 
her. As he studied the curve of her face and body and the 
shimmering of her hair in the dimly lit bay, Chameleon's 
story came back to him.

'Would he find himself a few yahrens down the line 
regretting that he had let her go?' he wondered, his heart 
pounding. Starbuck quashed his thoughts and continued 
forward. Now was not the time to be visualizing which woman 
he wanted to wake up next to for the rest of his life. Now 
was the time to get back to his ship and get some sleep.

"Well, you're going to be a lot of help piloting that 
shuttle," Starbuck chuckled as he saw Athena's eyes fly open 
in surprise.

"That's why it has auto-pilot," Athena hastily 
straightened up.

"Been up all night?" Starbuck asked sympathetically. He 
himself hadn't gotten any sleep himself since before meeting 
Chameleon.

Athena shrugged and opened the shuttle hatch and 
climbed in.

Starbuck closed his eyes and let out a breath before 
following. It was going to be a long trip.

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

Athena and Starbuck were settled in their seats 
prepared to launch when they were informed that due to the 
regular Fleet shuttle runs, they couldn't be cleared to take 
off for about another fifteen centons.

Starbuck's hands clenched around the shuttle controls 
at the news. The events of the past couple of days were 
really beginning to wear on his nerves and wanted to get to 
sleep before his thoughts ran away with him. 

For one thing, he couldn't help wondering why his best 
friends had almost immediately doubted the possibility that 
Chameleon was his real father. Why they had been so sure 
that they had Colonel Tigh run a background check on the 
elderly man. Deep down Starbuck knew they had done it 
because they cared about him, but he had accused them of 
trying to deny him happiness. Despite his words of 
forgiveness, he still felt the sting of his initial, 
irrational belief that they were undermining his dreams.

For another, Chameleon's story and questions were 
starting to surface despite his firm insistence that he and 
Athena were over and the fact the he loved Cassiopeia. What 
he hadn't told Chameleon, what he couldn't admit, was that a 
few sectars ago he and Athena _had_ confronted the issue. 
They had, in fact, made love for the first time and 
subsequently decided that their relationship couldn't be 
salvaged after a few more liaisons.

Athena, unaware of the direction of her co-pilot's 
thoughts, dropped her headphones onto the floor next to her 
with a resounding thud. All she wanted to do was submit her 
report, take a turboshower and climb into her waiting bed. 
With a moan she reached up and began to twist her hair into 
a controllable plait. It was really starting to get on her 
nerves as it constantly fell onto her face and neck.

When she was done she suddenly remembered Starbuck's 
presence and noticed his uncharacteristic silence. "Are you 
all right?" she asked when she realized he was just sitting 
there staring straight ahead at nothing and had his hands 
still gripping the shuttle controls.

"Hmmm," Starbuck said and turned to look at her. "Yeah, 
I'm just tired myself. It's been a long day." And it was 
beginning to look like it was going to be an even longer one 
as he struggled to hide his body's reaction to Athena's 
movements, which he had been surreptitiously watching from 
the corner of his eye.

"Starbuck, what happened? Your father? I must admit I'm 
stunned," Athena asked gently.

"It's a long story," Starbuck sighed.

"If you don't want to tell me, it's okay," Athena said in 
a flat voice, trying to hide her disappointment at his 
evasion.

"No, no," Starbuck stuck his hand out and touched her 
arm. "That's not it at all. It's just so overwhelming and 
I'm so tired. But I really do want to tell you. I really 
want to share this with you," he admitted, to both of them, 
quietly.

Athena studied him for a few microns before speaking. As 
she watched, a lock of her hair fell out of its haphazard 
twist and lay against her cheek. 

Almost automatically, Starbuck reached out as if to brush 
it away and she quickly intercepted his hand. "I understand. 
I probably wouldn't make the best listener right now 
anyway," she tried to comfort him, even as she blocked his 
touch.

Starbuck, seeming not to notice her evasion, clasped her 
hand and absently placed it on his thigh. "There's one thing 
you should hear from me, something you'll hear when we get 
back," he sighed, pressing his hand over hers. "The genetic 
tests we ran showed that Chameleon is not really my father. 
In fact, we're only distantly related."

She couldn't believe it, she had been so sure when she 
had seen them together. "But you are related?" she asked.

"Yeah, we are," Starbuck smiled at her response.

Inside, Athena's heart was pounding. Starbuck wanted a 
father so bad, she hadn't realized how much until now. She 
felt tears prick her eyes and she automatically reached her 
other hand out to caress his cheek. "Good, because I like 
him and want him to be a member of our family," she 
whispered.

Starbuck felt tears come to his own eyes at her words. "I 
guess that makes me the older brother type and means I can 
tell you what to do," he said evilly, trying to dispel the 
seriousness of the moment.

Athena rolled her eyes. "That always works for Apollo."

"That's true," Starbuck chuckled and turned his gaze away 
from her profile, looking out of the landing bay at the 
stars.

"Tell you what," Athena leaned over to whisper in his 
ear, also wanting to lighten their discussion. "Every once 
in a while you can tell me what to do and I'll pretend to 
listen. It's the least I can do since sometimes I do that 
Apollo."

Starbuck shivered as her breast grazed his arm and he 
felt her breath on his ear. This conversation definitely 
wasn't helping to loosen the tense atmosphere and he shifted 
uncomfortably in his seat.

Unfortunately, his movements failed to ease his 
physical discomfort and only managed to shift Athena's hand 
further up his thigh, closer to the source of his 
discomfort. A state which she must surely have noticed. 
Starbuck was frozen in mortification, too exhausted and 
confused to get himself out of this one. Looking at her 
face, Starbuck watched as Athena realized the position they 
were in. Her eyes widened and she gasped, her eyes flying up 
from his lap to meet his own wide blue gaze.

Silently, they stared at each other for another centon 
before Starbuck began to slowly move the hand that was 
trapping hers. Looking away he took a deep breath and tried 
to calm the shaking of his hands. Then he realized her hand 
hadn't been pulled away. Turning back he found her gazing in 
amazement at the physical evidence of his unexpected 
arousal.

"Oh Lords," Starbuck groaned as his erection twitched 
and grew under her perusal.

"Uh huh," Athena nodded dumbly as her fingers clenched 
more firmly around his thigh.

Starbuck watched her face, uncertain how to end this 
excruciatingly tense moment. Or whether he wanted to, his 
father's words playing in his mind over and over. 

"You're the sophisticated one here," Athena whispered 
pleadingly, looking up at him again.

"I am?" he asked even though he knew she was right. He 
was the one who was the expert at wiggling out of 
uncomfortable situations. It was then he admitted that he 
didn't want to end this. His mind was in agreement with his 
smarter and wiser body part. And there had been too many 
moments like this in the last few sectars from which he just 
coldly walked away leaving Athena none the wiser and 
wondering what she had done to anger him.

Belatedly, Athena began to move her hand away, when 
Starbuck's shot down and stopped her. 

"The truth is Athena," Starbuck swallowed 
uncomfortably. "The past few sectars we haven't been able to 
have a real conversation and it hasn't been your fault. It's 
mine. It's my problem."

"I don't understand," Athena's face was a mask of fear.

Slowly Starbuck moved Athena's hand until her palm was 
resting on his arousal. 

Athena's eyes widened and her breathing audibly sped up 
as she felt his heat against her palm. 

Starbuck pressed her hand more firmly onto himself. 
"This is what I mean. _This_ is my problem."

Athena's eyes suddenly blazed with anger as she looked 
at him. "And what exactly is that problem? I really don't 
understand your point here."

Whether it was anger or arousal, Starbuck felt Athena 
begin to tremble next to him.

"I want you. This is for you. Just being near you, 
smelling your scent does this to me," he entwined his 
fingers with hers and wrapped them both around his throbbing 
shaft. "You don't even have to be around, just thinking 
about you does this to me. Remember those dreams?" he asked 
as he began to use their hands to stroke him.

Athena nodded and bit her lip, shaking too much and too 
turned on to fight his manipulations.

"I still have those dreams. And now that we've made 
love I wake up feeling myself inside you," Starbuck moaned 
as she tightened their hands around him as much as she could 
through his pants. Without a word he bridged the distance 
between them and touched his lips to hers.

After a few microns of tentativeness, he slipped his 
tongue into her mouth and his hands flew to hold her head as 
he increased the intensity of their connection. He moaned as 
her hand slipped off him, but he didn't stop kissing her. He 
hadn't tasted her in so long and it was better than any 
ambrosa. 

'Lords,' he wondered. 'How have I held this back for so 
long.' He sighed into her mouth as he felt her hair fall 
around his hands. Taking advantage, he slipped a hand into 
its mass and pulled her head back, suckling her chin and 
neck as she arched into his touch with a small cry of 
surrender.

As he nibbled and licked her neck, she made little, 
breathless sounds that drove him wild. Sounds he had only 
heard in his dreams for sectars now and he was sure he was 
going to burst out of his pants if he didn't take them off 
soon. But just as his hand cupped her firm breast, the 
Priscus core command broke into their haze and cleared them 
for take off. 

With a groan, Athena tore herself out of his arms and 
hurried to the back of the shuttle, leaving him alone for 
take off.

With shaking fingers Starbuck managed to clear the 
Senior Ship, set a course and turn on the autopilot. The 
course, however, wasn't the direct one towards the 
Galactica. He wasn't quite ready to return. His need for bed 
and sleep had transformed itself into something more 
crucial.

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

Starbuck had to admit he was surprised to find what he 
did. Instead of a seething or weeping woman, he found a 
sleeping one curled up in of the shuttle seats fast asleep. 
It certainly didn't do much for his ego.

Undeterred, Starbuck knelt in front of her and ran his 
hand up one of her legs. Telling himself that she couldn't 
be comfortable, he slowly uncurled her legs and spread them 
out around his body. As Athena began to stir, he leaned 
forward and began to suckle a nipple through her blue 
uniform top. His ministrations woke the sleeping woman, but 
he didn't stop.

Athena was disoriented, but Starbuck wasn't going to 
give her a chance to clear her head. Starbuck continued to 
suckle her, his hand slipping behind her waist and pulling 
her forward so that her aroused center was planted firmly 
over his.

As he pressed himself into her parted thighs he moved 
his lips from her breast and began to lay gentle kisses on 
her face and down her neck.

Starbuck groaned as he continued to gently thrust 
himself into her, trying to raise her arousal to a fever 
pitch. One which wouldn't allow room for either of them to 
hesitate. He reached a hand down and felt her wetness 
seeping through her pants and began to stroke her, causing 
her to make aroused noises and she pressed closer to his 
caressing fingers.

With an ease that demonstrated his experience, he moved 
his hands and soon had her uniform top lying in a heap on 
the floor, leaving her breasts bare for his gaze. He licked 
his lips and hummed with pleasure as he watched her 
responsive nipples harden in front of his eyes. He leaned 
forward and captured her left nipple in his teeth.

He thrust against her harder and heard her gasp. 

With his tongue he drew her deeper into his mouth and 
began to suckle. Her fingers anchored themselves in his 
hair, pulling him closer. His other hand reached over and 
began to prepare her other nipple for his attention.

Her thighs were tightening around his hips and he felt 
her begin to thrust herself against him.

Out of breath, Starbuck pulled back and tried to take 
in some air. Then he leaned down and began to torture her 
other breast.

"Starbuck," Athena sighed.

As soon as she called his name, Starbuck reached out 
blindly until his hand found the rescue blanket he had 
spotted earlier and lifting her gently he lay her down on 
the floor, carefully spreading the blanket underneath them.

"Do you want this?" he leaned above her and asked, 
suddenly wanting to hear the words.

"I don't understand," Athena answered honestly.

Starbuck nodded and closed his eyes. "I thought I had 
found my father, I thought I found someone to belong to...," 
he was unable to finish as the rest of his thought rang out 
in his head. 'I forgot about you!'

"You have a family Starbuck, you always have," Athena 
told him, reminding him of his place in her family.

"I don't want to hurt you again," Starbuck whispered 
brokenly. "All I know right now is that I want you," despite 
his emotions and his arousal, he couldn't promise her 
anything more.

"I want you too," Athena admitted simply.

At her words, Starbuck slid his arm under her and 
pressed himself against her aroused center. The contact 
caused flashes before his eyes and he captured her lips for 
another searing kiss.

On one level it was like two lovers who had been parted 
for too long, yet on another it was as if they had never 
been apart at all. 

She tasted just as he remembered. 

Her breasts, expanding and hardening in his palm, felt 
just as erotic. 

With his free hand he manipulated their bodies until 
she was straddling his lap. Her softness surrounding his 
hardness.

With a groan he thrust into her and, through their 
warrior garb, he was sure he could feel her wetness. Her 
moans and movements became frantic as he brought her close 
to the edge of orgasm. 

She groaned in frustration as he moved away and rid her 
of her pants, and then took the time to pull his own pants 
down to his knees.

In awe, his fingers reached for her naked center and 
began to spread her juices. He brought his fingers to his 
lips and sampled her taste, unable to delay their coming 
together long enough for a direct sampling. He was throbbing 
in anticipation and he settled himself at her entrance, 
delaying his entry to try and prolong their coupling.

Athena thrust her hips up and forced him to enter her. 
He wanted to chuckle at her groan of disappointment but 
instead, finding himself helpless to the temptation, slipped 
inside her slowly, savoring the sensations.

For the second time in twenty-four centars he felt like 
he had found a home.

Torturously, he begin to slowly thrust himself out and back 
into her tight sheath. He shuddered as he felt her begin to 
contract around him, pulling him deeper inside her at every 
thrust. His movements became frantic and he felt himself 
tumble towards ecstasy.

A few glorious centons later they both found physical 
release, and panting he collapsed on top of her and gathered 
her into his embrace.

For another few centons later they lay silent, both 
unwilling to break the spell and let reality seep into their 
private universe.

A reality that forced itself upon them as a voice 
interrupted their bliss. "Galactica shuttle, what is your 
destination? Come in Galactica shuttle."

Starbuck felt tears well in his eyes. He didn't want to 
move. He didn't want this moment to end and he knew it would 
once he went to answer the call.

Athena, for her part, didn't feel any regrets that were 
just an aberration in their relationship. She had seen him 
too many times with Cassi to believe that he was even 
considering resuming any part of their past relationship. 
She firmly believed this was, for him, part comfort and part 
a last ditch fling before he proposed to the Med Tech. 
Somehow, she couldn't muster a guilty feeling for being 
apart of this illicit liaison.

She accepted all of this and was ready to move on. 
Their initial break up had shattered her, but it had 
happened in the same centars as losing Zac and her mother 
and not long before losing Serina. Her grief couldn't get 
any greater and she had dealt with it all collectively. In 
truth, she was still dealing with it, but so much had 
happened since she had been with Starbuck in a _happy_ 
relationship. 

She was now teaching in the Education Center, piloting 
a viper in the Reserve Squadron and assisting her father in 
side projects as well as performing her regular bridge 
duties. She no longer had time to dwell on her losses. Her 
resolve repaired, Athena loosened her embrace in order to 
allow him to answer the query coming over the comm. 

To Athena's surprise, however, he only tightened his 
grip on her. Touched, she tenderly began grazing his back 
with her fingernails and smiled when she felt him shiver. 
'He's so tired,' she thought. 'I don't doubt he isn't ready 
to go back to the Galactica. I'm sure everyone's been 
hounding him with questions over the past days.'

"Galactica shuttle, please respond," the voice 
demanded.

Athena heard a low grumble as Starbuck abruptly pushed 
himself off of her, pulling his pants back up as he bolted 
to the pilot area.

"Galactica shuttle, come in Galactica shut..," the 
voice continued.

"This is Galactica shuttle," Starbuck cut in, somewhat 
breathless. "We are currently avoiding heavy traffic and 
await landing instructions."

"Heavy traffic has subsided," the voice responded. "You 
are cleared to land in Landing Bay Alpha immediately."

"Thank you. Shuttle out," Starbuck sighed, running a 
hand through his hair. 'Back to reality,' he admitted sadly.

But what reality? His father's story of lost love and 
regret was pounding away at him. Was that going to be him in 
the next thirty or forty yahren? Wanting and wondering what 
might have been? Who might have been?

Starbuck struggled to repress the conflict that was 
battling within. 'You can't live your life with _what ifs_!' 
one side raged. 'I love Cassi, Athena and I can't have a 
life together!' he reminded himself of all the arguments he 
had thrown at her multiple times. 

'But are you going against your own heart because you 
_think_ it's the right thing to do?' the other side chimed. 
'Or because it's what everyone tells you is the right thing 
to do?'

If there was no physical evidence that they were father 
and son, the proof that they had to be related was here if 
only by the fact that history seemed to be repeating itself. 
And giving him more chances than it had his "father." The 
question was what was the right path? Security or passion?

"Starbuck," Athena said softly from behind him, having 
put her own uniform back on.

Reluctantly, he turned and took the rest of his uniform 
from her outstretched hands.

"You might want to put these back on before we land," 
she said with a knowing grin, her cheeks still flushed.

"Gee, you think?" he replied with a weak grin of his 
own. 

While she had smoothed her uniform out, her hair was 
still quite tousled, a look he liked way too much and he 
reached out to smooth it out with his hand. 

'This feels so comfortable,' he thought as he moved his 
hand around the back of her neck and pulled her in for a 
deep, slow kiss. Suddenly, Starbuck remembered one thing he 
had said to Athena the night of the Destruction. 

"If we can get through this, we can get through 
anything," he had said. But he hadn't fought all that hard 
to get through anything, not _with_ her.

Athena pulled away from his kiss and moved a safe 
distance away from Starbuck as he sighed and began to pull 
on his clothes. After a few microns she sat down at the 
shuttle controls, turned off the autopilot and began leading 
them to the appointed landing bay. When he was finished 
dressing, Starbuck sat down silently in the other seat.

Athena knew from past experience that Starbuck was 
probably sweating over what to do next. 'He is no doubt 
trying to come up with a nice way to tell me not to read too 
much into this,' she mused. What she didn't realize was 
that, for once, it was Starbuck who was confused. Tempted to 
play the game but admitting she was too tired, Athena 
decided that she would dispel any discomfort and calm the 
situation.

Once they were safely landed on the Galactica, Athena 
turned to Starbuck and began to speak. "Don't worry 
Starbuck. I don't expect anything from you because of...what 
happened here," she waved her hand towards the back of the 
shuttle. "Nothing has changed between us, except maybe we 
can be friends now that you've worked this out of your 
system," Athena flushed slightly as she spoke. 

"I do hope you know that I want nothing but happiness 
for you Starbuck," she said quietly before rising and 
walking away.

Starbuck closed his eyes and let out the breath he had 
been holding. She had made it so easy. 

"So why does it feel so difficult?" he asked no one.

The End! 
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