Pilots by the Twin Goddess
See Chapter 1 for Disclaimer 

Chapter 3 - Run-Ins
Somewhere in Space

"Hey Apollo, you're...," Starbuck paused, "humming," 
he finished with obvious distaste. 

"Oh sorry Starbuck," Apollo blushed in the privacy of 
his Viper. He couldn't help himself. He felt so, well, 
excited. He had just enjoyed centars with an intelligent 
and sociable doctor, who also happened to be drop dead 
gorgeous. The fact that she seemed to be equally attracted 
to him was an added bonus. "I just had a good cycle. I'll 
try to make sure my comm is off if I should feel the urge 
to hum again." 

Starbuck looked at the locator on his flight board to 
make sure that the viper next to him was indeed Captain 
"Somber" Apollo. "Good enough to make you hum. What 
happened on the science ship, a really neat scientific 
discovery?" Starbuck said with a roll of his eyes.  
Sometimes the things his best friend enjoyed baffled him.

Apollo's grin widened. Doctor Scully was a scientist 
of sorts. "Something like that Starbuck."

"Didn't you have your interview with Scully before 
patrol?" an enlightened look passed over Starbuck's face 
under his helm. "She is an attractive woman."

"Yes Starbuck, she certainly is," Apollo agreed with a 
grin.

"Ah, now I understand the humming. So you enjoyed your 
interview?"

"Actually, more than that. We shared a meal together, 
quite a few centars long actually," Apollo tried to explain 
in a casual manner.  He didn't quite pull it off.

"I was wondering why you got here so close to take 
off. So a few centars and you're humming. Since you're not 
me I can only imagine you just had stimulating 
conversation?" Starbuck teased.

"Spare me the space cowboy routine Starbuck. As a 
matter of fact we did have stimulating conversation. And we 
planned dinner for next cycle."

Starbuck shook his head. He was glad to see his friend 
starting to throw off the mantle of gloom Serina's death 
had cast over him. While the loss was great, their survival 
was too uncertain to waste time not living. Starbuck, 
however, also thought it was too uncertain to waste time 
with the wrong woman. 'Oh yeah Starbuck, take your own 
advice much?' an inner voice broke Starbuck's train of 
thought. He told it a haughty shut up and continued his 
thoughts about Apollo. 

Starbuck was certain that Sheba was the woman that 
Apollo really belonged with. They were close friends, they 
had similar backgrounds and Sheba challenged him in a way 
no woman ever did. But if it took Scully to shake him up, 
well a man could do a lot worse. "Glad to see you back out 
there my friend. You are a lucky man."

"I think I might be too Starbuck. Speaking of women, I 
can't help but notice you hanging around my sister a lot 
lately. I haven't brought it up, but I noticed that Cassi 
wasn't looking to happy with you when you showed up late 
the other night and the reason was you were hunting down 
Athena at a game of Pyramid. What gives?"  Apollo said with 
an edge of seriousness.

"With what?" Starbuck asked dumbly.

"Are you going to try and mess with my sister's life 
again?" Apollo warned. He loved Starbuck like a brother, 
but he didn't want to see him go after Athena again if he 
was still involved with any other woman. Even from Starbuck 
he insisted on monogamy for his sister. It was what had 
scared Starbuck off last time, being unwilling to upset his 
best friend and not ready to settle down. Or able to handle 
rejection when he finally tried.

"We're just friends Apollo. Cassi, well, I don't know 
what her problem is," Starbuck brushed off his friend's 
concern.

"Could it be that she sees you chasing around the 
Fleet after your ex-girlfriend?" Apollo said pointedly.

"I'm not chasing Athena. She's like a little sister to 
me.  Now," he amended. "I'm just concerned that she's 
wearing herself thin and that her wingmate is putting her 
in danger. You know about his trouble sleeping since the 
Iblis fiasco," Starbuck said in a perfectly rational tone.

Apollo rolled his eyes. 'Starbuck's name should be 
Denial,' he thought to himself. "Mulder is working things 
out, he wouldn't do anything to endanger Athena. If 
anything I should think he would be overprotective now.  
Besides, Athena wouldn't appreciate your concern."

"What do you mean by 'if anything' and 'now'?" 
Starbuck demanded, ignoring Apollo's other comments.

"Considering they're romantically attracted to each 
other. It's more than obvious, you must have noticed 
considering how much time you've spent around them.  
Seriously, though.  They've both always pretended there's 
nothing going on, but I see a breaking point coming soon. 
Athena's concern over Mulder's sleep disturbance has been 
very telling," Apollo paused for a few microns. "Actually, 
I wouldn't be surprised if they aren't already involved and 
keeping it quiet.  Her knowledge of his sleep patterns did 
seem a little detailed...," Apollo smiled, imagining the 
whirring in Starbuck's mind.  Apollo knew his friend still 
loved his sister even if he wasn't ready to admit it to 
himself yet.  Apollo even hoped this might avert Starbuck's 
attention and turn him back to Cassi.  He just couldn't see 
Starbuck doing anything but hurting himself and Athena 
again.  

Starbuck's head was spinning. He glanced over at his 
sensors, making sure nothing was in the area before turning 
his thoughts back to this news. "Aren't you concerned about 
wingmates being involved? They could get distracted on 
patrol and not concentrate on their jobs?" Starbuck was 
pleased with himself for coming up with that argument.

"Distracted in two separate vipers?" Apollo chuckled. 
"Seriously Starbuck, there are no rules against it as you 
know. It's a case-by-case concern. I think both Athena and 
Mulder are both professional enough not to let their work 
suffer because of their personal involvement. Despite your 
complaints, Mulder has only fallen asleep a couple of times 
on routine patrol which is not unheard of. As long as the 
other pilot isn't in sleep period it is hardly a cause for 
concern. I think that their intimate relationship only puts 
them more in sync with each other and makes them a better 
team," Apollo explained as commander of the squadron. 
"Besides, you've seen them together. They practically think 
alike. There are few teams better than them."  

Starbuck grimaced at Apollo's expected response.  It 
was a discussion they had had before about other viper 
teams.  Starbuck turned his thoughts back to the blonde 
with whom he had spent significant romantic time with the 
past few sectars. 'She's a lovely, smart woman. So she's 
not as loyal, sincere, intelligent or beautiful as 
Athena...,' Starbuck's thoughts trailed off. 'You are a 
fool Lieutenant! You've been comparing your new girlfriend 
with your old for sectars and didn't realize when the 
comparison turned more favorable towards the former. No 
wonder Cassi's been annoyed with you! You _have_ been 
following Athena around the Galactica!  Come to think of 
it, Mulder is always around...,' Starbuck's thoughts 
continued to whirl at his new insights.  'I have to stop 
this now!  Athena is the past.  Cassi is the present and 
the future!' he told himself sternly.

Apollo could practically hear Starbuck's mind working. 
'The man finally 
figured out what's been going on in his own mind,' Apollo 
shook his head, anticipating the interesting scenes that 
were going to play out in the coming 
sectars.  

"I have been acting like an idiot haven't I?" Starbuck 
asked his friend.

"Yeah you have, question is what you are going to do 
about it?" Apollo asked.

Starbuck was silent for a few microns.  Despite his 
self-declared resolve of 
a few centons ago the answer didn't flow that easily from 
his lips.  "Make it up to Cassi," he finally answered.

"That's a good place to begin Starbuck. A good place," 
Apollo answered, 
pleased.  Then he turned his attentions back to their 
patrol and his plans for dinner with Doctor Scully the next 
night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That Night
Officer's Club Back Room Restaurant

Starbuck rested his hand lightly around Cassi's waist.  
She had been pleased when he returned from patrol and asked 
her to dinner that night at the Officer's Club's back room.  
It was nicer than the Galactica dining hall and signified 
that he wanted to apologize, wordlessly, for being so 
distracted lately.  And he was determined not to let 
anything distract him from the beautiful woman by his side 
tonight.

After they were seated, Starbuck motioned their server 
Fowley over so he could order Cassi's favorite drink, 
Melocot Nectar.  He found the fuzzy fruit a little too 
sweet, but he wanted to start their evening off right.  And 
if it was her favorite, well he would make the sacrifice.

“Good evening Cassi, Lieutenant”, Fowley greeted her 
patrons. “May I start you off with a beverage?”

“Fowley, you’ve read our minds, as always”,  Starbuck 
replied, smiling at Cassi. “We’ll have a bottle of your 
freshest Melocot Nectar.”

Cassi smiled at Starbuck with a startled look in her 
eyes. ‘He’s really pulling out the stops tonight,’ she 
thought happily, if not slightly wary. 

“And what is the occasion?” Cassi inquired as Fowley 
left to retrieve their order.

“Since when do we need an occasion to enjoy 
ourselves?” Starbuck responded, reaching across the table 
to clasp her hands. 

“True, we never have. Until now.  Now it seems that 
anytime that I can get you alone without you being 
distracted is an occasion these days,” she remarked, some 
bitterness she couldn't bite back reflected in her voice.

Before Starbuck had a chance to charm his way out of 
the impending discussion, Fowley returned with the nectar. 
‘Perfect timing’, he thought gratefully.

“Lieutenant,” Fowley began as she uncorked the bottle, 
“Chaco would like to know if you would like madam’s 
favorite dessert prepared tonight?”

Starbuck’s eyes widened like a trapped animal, 
immediately realizing what their server was referring to.

“Starbuck?” Cassi looked across the table, avid 
curiosity on her face. “What dessert is she talking about?”

Starbuck, ordinarily a survivalist, wanted to die 
right then and there.

A few sectons prior, he had asked the chef, Chaco, to 
prepare Death by Chocola "for his favorite lady." Chaco had 
apparently believed he had ordered it for Cassi, but in 
fact he had it anonymously delivered to Athena's quarters 
on her natal day.  He had intended it as a nostalgic 
reminder of a special evening they had shared in her 
quarters before the Destruction and their alternative way 
of devouring it.  He had been sure Athena would guess who 
had sent her that memory and that she would seek him out to 
reconnect their friendship.  But apparently she hadn't 
realized it was him and thought he had forgotten her natal 
because for the next few days she had just glared at him.  

Deciding to head off this in-coming disaster, Starbuck 
thought fast.  “Oh you remember honey, that citra-pastry 
that you had the night of the concert.”  

He looked up at Fowley, his eyes begging her to just 
agree with anything he said.

Cassi eyed her date with suspicion. “I remember the 
dessert Starbuck, but I don’t recall saying that it was my 
favorite.”

“Are you sure?” he inquired, his performance almost 
believable. “I could’ve sworn, um, you said that.”

Catching on to the deception, Fowley decided that she 
had better change the subject if she was to get any sort of 
gratuity later.

“Well dessert can be decided on later of course,” she 
offered. “Have we decided on a starter or dinner?”

“No we haven’t”, Cassi declared, contemplating whether 
or not she wanted to continue with the evening at all. 

“Fowley... why don’t you uh... give us a few centons?” 
Starbuck suggested, his expression hinting that he was 
grateful that she had followed his lead, but needed to 
salvage the date in private.

***************

Mulder sat at the table, tapping his index finger.  
The last few centars had been so crazy that he was now 
bursting with anticipation to see Athena. He laughed to 
himself. Perhaps the day would’ve been more productive if 
he’d taken a nap with her.

But as she walked into the cafeteria, he realized that 
it was unlikely that they would’ve gotten any sleep in the 
same bed.  She was wearing a stretch velvet dress in a deep 
Russet color that showed every curve of her body. The 
length came to mid-thigh, showing off her shapely legs, and 
the v-neckline displayed the soft, sensuous area that the 
pilot’s uniform so criminally concealed. As she approached 
the table, he realized that he had been too mesmerized to 
have even stood up. Correcting the oversight, he subtly 
shook the love dust from his head, stood up, and greeted 
her with a peck on the cheek. Her lips were colored a deep 
burgundy and he fought the urge to grab her and kiss them.

Her smile was both shy and alluring. 'Good investment 
on the dress,' she thought. 'I’ll have to return to that 
boutique more often.'

Mulder held out her chair and, once she was seated, 
returned to his own. 
	
The pair sat in silence for a few seconds, drinking 
each other in. “You look amazing,” he finally broke in.

“Thank you,” she replied, “and it’s nice to see you 
out of uniform as well.” Mulder’s eyes widened and he began 
to laugh.  Athena closed her eyes and cringed. “Oh Lords, 
that’s not how I meant it to come out.” Athena’s face 
flushed a bit, which only made her skin glow more.  

And caused Mulder to squirm, again.  “No, no... it 
came out just fine,” Mulder teased, nodding his head with 
an ear-to-ear smile.

***************

Starbuck shifted in his seat as he witnessed the 
flirtatious exchanges a few tables away. It had taken 
everything to keep his eyes in his head when Athena had 
walked in. 'I don’t remember seeing THAT dress before!' he 
thought. And now she was blushing and laughing, all of 
which were clearly the result of Mulder’s fawning.  

He was so caught up in his own thoughts that Starbuck 
hadn’t realized that he had been ignoring his own dinner 
companion. Cassi, however, did and Starbuck suddenly felt a 
sharp pain in his leg from her pointed shoe. He grimaced 
although he knew it was deserved. 

“More nectar Starbuck?” she asked through her teeth, 
holding up a bottle with a look that would freeze lava.

“Please,” he returned with a sheepish grin, hoping 
that she wasn’t about to tear into him.

Suddenly, a welcomed distraction came in the form of 
some shattering glasses. Both Starbuck and Cassi looked up 
towards the refreshment station as some servers had 
assembled to clean up the mess... a mess made by a man that 
Cassi recognized.

“That guy’s had a few,” Starbuck remarked, thankfully 
veering from the previous subject.

“Unfortunately, he can’t seem to function these days 
without a few,” Cassi disclosed with a frustrated sigh.

“You know him?” Starbuck asked, a little surprised.

“He was one of the pilots abducted by the 'ship of 
lights',” she replied. “I’m surprised that you don’t know 
him.  Or haven't heard the stories about him drinking too 
much lately.  I've wondered how close your experience was 
to his?”

Starbuck grimaced slightly at the term “abduction”. He 
had heard some of the latest talk from the Paracelsus and 
the thought that he had been experimented on was hardly 
soothing.

“You know I don’t remember much of the experience 
Cass,” he shifted uncomfortably. Cassi had been urging him 
to try and remember more of his experience and to deal with 
what might of happened. It sometimes made him feel like a 
science project.

Still looking at the drunken man at the refreshment 
station, she observed, “If only he was so lucky.  He claims 
to remember a lot of it.”  She looked at Starbuck then, 
concern clearly etched in her features.

****************

“Well... what a way to start off the evening,” Athena 
remarked, still blushing from her previous comment. “I can 
only hope that I stick my foot in my mouth a few more times 
tonight.”

“If you continue making comments like that, I 
certainly won’t stop you,” Mulder reached across and 
clasped the hand she had rested on the table.

“So what have you been up to while I was sleeping?” 
she inquired, looking dazedly at their joined hands. 

"Well, besides planning nervously for this dinner?  I 
did some research on sleep disturbances and hypno-
regression.  I want to be prepared for tomorrow...," Mulder 
started to explain.

“What does he want from me?!” a shout came from across 
the room, followed by the sounds of broken glass, 
interrupting their intimate exchange.

“Whoa...he’s a little upset,” Mulder commented, 
distracted from answering Athena’s question and 
automatically holding her hand tighter.

“He’s obviously had a few,” Athena observed. “Isn’t 
that Ensign Barry from Silver Spar squadron?”

“Mmmmm..” Mulder responded, lost in thought.

“Maybe it’s me but.... he looks more terrified than 
drunk,” she remarked, looking back at Mulder.

“I kind of got that impression myself,” Mulder 
mumbled, his curiosity getting the better of him. “Maybe 
I’m not the only one being haunted by my dreams.”

“What do you mean? Was he taken to the ship of 
lights?” she asked, all thoughts of fun chased from her 
mind.

“He was one of the first to disappear and one of the 
last to be returned,” Mulder answered, having memorized the 
reports that he had been allowed to view.

As servers approached the refreshment station to clean 
up the glass, the troubled Ensign buried his head in his 
hands and moaned, “Why can’t He just leave me alone?”

Mulder couldn’t fight the urge anymore, he had to talk 
to this man. “I’m sorry Athena... would you excuse me for a 
centon? I have to...I...,” Mulder didn't know how to 
explain his need to investigate the situation and help the 
troubled warrior.

Athena squeezed his hand that had still held hers and 
pasted on a smile to hide her disappointment. “I 
understand.  I'll stay here unless you need me?” 

“No, no.  I'll be fine.  You’ll be here when I get 
back?” his eyes sought reassurance.

“You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried,” she replied 
with a genuine smile.  His need to help others only 
compounded her respect, and her desire, for the man 
standing before her.  She would wait even if it took all 
night.  Or if it looked like her partner needed her 
assistance she would take her place by his side.

***********************

“I’m sorry, I'm sorry,” Ensign Barry seemed to have 
regained his composure and was attempting to aid those that 
were cleaning up the glass that now littered the floor 
around him.

“We can handle it sir,” one of the servers stated, 
clearly annoyed.

“It wasn’t me! It was Him!” Barry became agitated 
again, his voice getting louder and louder with every word.

“Ensign,” Mulder laid a hand on Barry’s shoulder, 
trying to quiet him. “Why don’t you let these nice people 
take care of this,” he began leading Barry away from the 
disorder, “and you and I can talk for a centon.”

“Who the hell are you?” Barry demanded, shrugging 
Mulder’s hand off his shoulder. The smell from Barry’s 
breath led Mulder to believe that maybe he had picked the 
wrong time to talk to him and it really was a case of too 
much to drink. Still he persevered.

“I’m Lieutenant Mulder, we met in Dr. Scully’s office 
remember?  I'm in the Blue Squadron,” Mulder spoke in a 
gentle tone, trying to calm the man down. “I had just come 
from a meeting with her and you had just been.... 
returned?” Mulder attempted to connect his eyes with 
Barry’s in an effort to establish a sense of trust.

The expression in Mulder’s eyes seemed to communicate 
to Barry that there was some understanding of a common 
experience.  “You had a meeting with Dr. Scully 
about...them? Him?” Barry inquired, albeit cautiously.

Mulder nodded.  "Yes."

Barry suddenly grabbed Mulder by the shoulders. “What 
does He want with me?! Why won’t He leave me alone?! Why 
can’t They take somebody else?! I'm tired of being taken,” 
Barry pleaded.

“Taken? What do you mean? Do you still get taken to 
the ship?” Mulder now questioned rapidly, excited by what 
the Ensign seemed to be revealing.  Maybe his dreams did 
have some basis, maybe this wasn't the first time they had 
encountered Iblis.  Maybe it wasn't the first time _he_ had 
seen Iblis.  Before he could continue to question the man 
they were surrounded by Black Shirts.

“At it again Ensign?” the Head of Council Security, 
Krycek, grabbed Barry and pulled the man’s hands roughly 
behind his back before putting shackles around his wrists. 
“Haven’t we warned you about this type of public behavior?”

 “Ease up Krycek,” Mulder suggested, annoyed, as 
usual, with Security’s overly rough tactics.

“Don’t tell me how to do my job,” Krycek forcefully 
pointed a finger at Mulder, “and I won’t tell you how to do 
yours!”

“You wouldn’t know how to do my job,” Mulder remarked, 
a blatant jab at Krycek’s failure to qualify for the 
Academy.

Krycek fought back the urge to leap at Mulder, 
deciding that a better opportunity would present itself 
later. Besides, he wanted to get Barry to the Brig as soon 
as possible. Who knows what he had spouted off already?  
His superiors would destroy him if he didn't put a stop to 
this troublesome character once and for all.

“Another time Mulder,” Krycek looked at Mulder, his 
eyes glaring a promise. He proceed to lead his prisoner out 
of the Officer’s Club, the rest of the Security squad 
behind him.

“I can’t wait,” Mulder mumbled sarcastically as he 
watched them leave, frustrated that there was no way he 
could follow and continue his questioning.

*******************

Krycek and his security team led Ensign Barry to the 
Brig in silence. While the shuttle trip took only about ten 
centons, it felt more like ten centars to Barry as he 
finally seemed to become cognizant of his surroundings.  
The fear in his eyes was unmistakable.

As they entered the Brig, Krycek turned to the other 
black shirts and ordered, “Return to your duties, I’ll take 
care of him.”

The security team disappeared and Krycek led Barry to 
a cell towards the end of the corridor. Krycek opened the 
door to the cell and, looking back down the corridor to 
ensure they were alone, threw Barry into the cell. Barry 
almost fell to the ground, his hands still shackled. Krycek 
grabbed him by the back of his flight jacket, turned him 
around, and slammed him up against the wall.

“You know, you’re becoming a real liability Barry,” 
Krycek spat through gritted teeth. “I told you to keep your 
mouth shut but you just won’t listen!”

“I can’t take this anymore,” Barry pleaded. “Take 
someone else! Leave me alone!”

“Shut up you drunken fool!” Krycek shouted. “You’ll do 
as you’re told!”

And with that, Krycek threw Barry to the makeshift bed 
and unshackled his hands. “Now sleep it off!” he demanded. 
“We’ll talk more about this little outburst later.”

“I don’t want to sleep,” Barry declared, his body 
trembling. “That’s when He comes!”

“You just hope that I don’t see Him before you do,” 
Krycek interrupted, pointing a finger at Barry. “He’s not 
going to put up with your disloyalty much longer.”

Krycek left the cell, leaving Barry curled up on the 
bed in a fetal position. Hearing what sounded like muffled 
sobs, an evil grin appeared on Krycek’s face.

*******************

Mulder stood almost motionless at the entrance to the 
Club for a few microns, Barry’s ramblings turning around 
and around in his mind.  He wished he had gotten a chance 
to speak calmly with Barry, but as usual Council Security 
had demonstrated their poor timing.  Mulder wondered what 
they had to do with Barry.  Unfortunately, Adama had 
specifically forbade the warriors from interfering with 
Council Security's presence and actions.  Recent grumblings 
by the Council had  caused Adama to agree to let them act 
as civilian security on the military ship.

‘Barry talks as if he is still being taken to the ship 
of lights,’ Mulder thought. ‘He mentioned *him*... who’s 
*him*? He must mean Iblis! Maybe my dreams aren’t dreams?  
Maybe I was taken too?’

“Mulder?” a soft voice whispered from behind him. He 
turned to see Athena standing there with a look of concern 
on her beautiful face.

“Are you okay?” she asked, putting a hand on his 
chest.

Almost instantly the disturbing new revelations and 
questions seemed unimportant as he felt the heat of her 
hand through his shirt.  He knew he wouldn't get any 
answers until the next morning and here standing before him 
was the woman of his dreams...his good dreams. Mulder 
suddenly felt hatred towards these unexplainable forces 
that had taken him away from his evening with her, if only 
for a few centons.

“I’m fine,” he replied, a reassuring smile on his face 
as he placed his hands over hers and pressed them tighter 
against his body. “I’m sorry about the interruption.  I 
just had to find out...,” Mulder trailed off.

“Don't be sorry,” Athena ordered. “I just saw Security 
and figured that they had taken Ensign Barry to the Brig to 
sleep it off, although I still don't understand why my 
Father has let them have free reign on this ship," Athena 
shook off her frustration and turned her attention back to 
the man in front of her.  "You were just standing here.  
You had a strange expression on your face...I was worried.”

“The only thing we need to worry about is whether they 
have your favorite dessert prepared tonight,” Mulder said 
reassuringly as he began to lead her back to their table.

“How do you know what my favorite dessert is?” she 
asked with a beguiling, yet curious, grin.  She had decided 
to go along with his obvious change of subject, for now.

“Oh, a little feathered creature told me,” he replied, 
ever mysterious. 

As they arrived at their table and returned to their 
seats, Athena wondered if Mulder somehow knew about her and 
Starbuck's special dessert.  Before she could remember 
whether she had ever explained the meaning behind her natal 
day surprise, they were interrupted by their server.

“Well, now that I finally have both of you here at the 
same time...,” Fowley began, hoping that this couple proved 
easier to serve than the one a few tables away.  Nothing 
the Lieutenant said seemed to appease his angry date.

Mulder and Athena just smiled at one another.  While 
their so far short evening had been fraught with 
interruptions, it was something they were used to.  The 
shared frustration made it seem special instead of annoying 
or uncomfortable.

“May I?” Mulder asked if he could place their orders.  
At her nod he continued.  “We will start off with a dozen 
Ostrea.  Then my lovely companion will have the Pasta 
Crustacea and I will have the Legume Risotto.” 

“Excellent choices Lieutenant Mulder,” Fowley 
exclaimed.  “Shall I bring another bottle of Ambrosa with 
the meal?”

“Absolutely,” Athena responded, eyes fixed on Mulder, 
a seductive grin on her face.  She had noticed his order of 
the Ostrea, a sea animal purported to have sensual effects 
on those who ate them.

“Very well,” Fowley said, pressing enter on her order 
keyboard. “And please let me know if you need anything 
else.”

Mulder reached across the table, grabbed Athena’s 
hands in his and spoke softly, “I think I have everything I 
need right here.”

***************
	
Skinner stood at Scully's doorway, waiting for her to 
finish typing.

"Come in," Scully waved the Captain in with a free 
hand, not taking her eyes off the screen in front of her.

Skinner complied, pausing only to make sure the door 
closed behind him before taking a seat before her desk.

After a few centons Scully finished her task and 
looked up.  "So to what do I owe this pleasure, Sir?" she 
asked referring to the personal visit in lieu of the usual 
summons to his office.

"It seems that Council Security has taken Ensign Barry 
into custody.  He seems to be suffering ill-effects from 
the abduction.  He's been tossed out of many drinking 
establishments in the Fleet lately.  Or the experience 
gives him a good excuse for a pre-existing taste for grog," 
Skinner observed dryly.

Scully sighed and sat back, rubbing an absent hand 
across her neck.  "I know, I've been keeping close tabs on 
most of our returned pilots," Scully still carefully 
avoided using the term "abduction."  "I can't say what is 
going on with Ensign Barry.  He seems to remember more than 
the others.  Or he has a more vivid imagination than the 
others.  To still be an ensign at his age, well, does not 
speak very highly of his mental stability.  He also 
underwent hypno-regression 'therapy' with that so-called 
doctor Werber," Scully pointed out with a sneer.

Skinner gave his version of a grin at Scully's obvious 
disrespect for her fellow ship's resident.  "Yes, but the 
Council has given their official approval of his methods.  
In fact, many of them seem to submit themselves to his 
professional services," Skinner pointed out.

"That's not hard to believe," Scully said with a roll 
of her eyes.  "The fact is that most people who undergo his 
so-called treatment all claim to have been taken from their 
homes and exhibit other unbalanced behavior.  Many have 
been subsequently confined to mental treatment facilities.  
The man's methods have no scientific basis and are 
completely unethical!" Scully said angrily.

"The fact remains he has many supporters and many of 
them are powerful.  So Barry was one of Werber's patients?"  
Skinner said calmly.

"Yes.  When I first talked to him he didn't exhibit 
any instability, his intelligence was a bit below average, 
but he didn't have any of the mental problems he has 
exhibited lately.  So Council Security has taken him into 
custody, great, they have such a compassionate way with 
people.  Can we have him turned over to us for 
confinement?"  Scully asked.

"We can't do anything until morning.  I thought you 
would want to question him, regardless of what you think 
the source of his instability is.  We still don't know what 
happened to those pilots when they were missing," Skinner 
pointed out as he stood up.

"I know, I know," Scully said with frustration as she 
watched Captain Skinner leave her office.

****************
 
“How is everything?” Fowley asked the obviously happy 
couple in front of her.

“Thoroughly delicious,” Athena purred, twirling her 
pasta with her fork as she stared into Mulder's eyes.

“Absolutely exquisite,” Mulder muttered as he wondered 
how much self-control he had left.

“Excellent,” Fowley smiled as she slipped away from 
the distracted couple. ‘I bet they wouldn’t care if they 
were eating daggit mushies,’ she thought with a smirk.

Starbuck writhed in his seat as he saw Athena twirl 
some of her pasta and feed it to Mulder. ‘Why couldn’t I 
have sat on the other side of the table?’ he thought to 
himself.

“You okay Starbuck?” Cassi asked worriedly, reaching 
out to touch his hand.  While their evening had started off 
shaky, Starbuck had obviously put all his effort into 
charming her.  The pained expression that suddenly crossed 
his face evoked all her tender concern.

“Yeah... uh... I have a bit of a headache,” he 
replied, putting his fingertips to his temples.

“I know a good way to get rid of that headache,” she 
suggested, her eyes and devilish grin telling him that she 
had the rest of their evening planned.

Starbuck grinned back at her and thought her offer 
might be best way to get Athena out of his mind.  This hope 
fled as he witnessed Athena take one of the oblong-shaped 
legumes from Mulder’s plate and put it into her mouth.  And 
no, she couldn't do it all at once, no she had to do it bit 
by bit by bit!  Slowly.  Slow enough for Starbuck’s pants 
to suddenly feel a bit tighter. Completely shaken, Starbuck 
pushed his chair away from the table and declared, “I have 
to go to the lavatory Cass, I’ll be right back.”

“Okay,” she chuckled as she watched him scurry from 
the table. ‘Nice to know that I still have that effect on 
him,’ she though dreamily.

***************

Mulder watched in awe as Athena gently put her lips 
around the orange legume and slowly brought it into her 
mouth. The look in her eyes told him that he could quite 
possibly be in for one amazing night. He had to force 
himself to look away before he grabbed her, threw her on 
the table and took her up on her silent offer right there 
in front of everyone.

“Uh... would you excuse me for a moment?” he said, 
nervously chuckling at the thought and rising from his 
chair.

“Certainly, don’t be, uh, long,” she replied, bringing 
her glass of Ambrosa slowly to her lips.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he remarked as he walked 
towards the lavatory, trying to regain some type of control 
over his thoughts.  ‘Mulder, you might just possibly be the 
luckiest man in the entire fleet. The question now is, do 
you have what it takes to make her happy?’

His thoughts were interrupted as he entered the 
lavatory to see that Starbuck was already there.  'And the 
former boyfriend's haunting continues,' Mulder thought 
wryly as he continued forward.

Starbuck turned to see who had come in behind him and 
similarly wondered why the fates were picking on him this 
particular cycle as he caught sight of Mulder.  “Mulder,” 
he stated flatly in greeting.

“Starbuck,” Mulder returned the courtesy as both 
approached the lancers.

“Enjoying your evening?” Starbuck asked in a sarcastic 
tone. 'Damn! Hadn't meant to say that!'

“Very much so,” Mulder replied smugly, sensing the 
envy from the  consummate ladies’ man beside him.

“I’m just surprised you’ve been able to stay awake 
this long,” Starbuck tried to say coolly and with a shrug.

Mulder smiled. ‘Yep, he’s jealous,’ he thought.  “Well 
ya know, I’m actually feeling more awake and alert than I 
have in sectons, which is a good thing ‘cause there’s no 
telling if I’ll get any sleep tonight,” he suggested 
nonchalantly, unable to hold back the boast.  'Athena 
forgive me,' he sent a silent prayer to the heavens.

As he saw Starbuck look away to hide his reaction to 
Mulder’s insinuation, Mulder took the opportunity to check 
out the standard that he would have to live up to. Just a 
quick look was all it took for Mulder to understand why 
Starbuck was so popular with the ladies.  

“Well that wouldn’t be wise now would it?” Starbuck 
commented, now looking back over at Mulder. “I wasn’t 
kidding about your unscheduled naps Mulder.  You had better 
not endanger your wingmate,” Starbuck said, clearly not 
only referring to Mulder's on-duty behavior.

“Yes I know,” Mulder answered succinctly, looking 
straight ahead. “You made your point very clear and I have 
taken steps to remedy the problem even though it’s really 
none...,” Mulder stopped short of finishing his sentence, 
knowing that it would only provoke further argument and he 
really wanted to get back to Athena. e closed his eyes and 
took a deep breath, missing Starbuck's reciprocal "sizing" 
up.

Starbuck hadn’t been paying much attention to Mulder’s 
response to his chastising, being momentarily distracted by 
his efforts to discern what Athena’s future had in store. 
His discovery didn’t ease his agitation any. ‘Damn!’, he 
thought, ‘That might actually make her happy! Damn it, I 
don't care, I don't care,' he reminded himself forcefully.

They both finished and "zipped" up simultaneously. 
“Don’t worry about me Starbuck,” Mulder declared, “I’m fine 
and so is Athena.”

As Mulder headed towards the door, Starbuck warned, 
“You just make sure she stays that way.”

Mulder didn't bother acknowledging the other warrior's 
warning and proceeded to walk out the door of the lavatory. 
‘That guy’s got some nerve,’ he thought angrily.  He 
stopped as he looked up and saw Athena talking to Ensign 
Spender who was standing at the table. Their conversation 
was apparently light and they were both smiling and 
gesturing with great animation.  Any anger that Mulder had 
felt from his confrontation with Starbuck immediately 
subsided at the sight of Athena's smile.  ‘Lords she’s 
beautiful and she's spending this evening with me!’

“You okay Lieutenant?” Fowley broke his hypnotic 
state. “I can ask the Ensign to leave if he’s bothering 
you?”

“No, no, I was just enjoying the view,” he soaked up 
one last glance at Athena before turning to the server, 
“Would you ask Chaco to  prepare a Death by Chocola for 
us?”

Fowley hoped that her surprise wasn’t blatantly 
obvious. “Of course, I’m sure Chaco would be happy to.”

“Thanks,” Mulder smiled and continued towards the 
table.

“What is it about that dessert?” Fowley mumbled under 
her breath.

As Ensign Spender moved on to the refreshment station, 
Athena looked up and saw Mulder approaching the table. She 
smiled at him and was about to ask what had taken him so 
long when she saw Starbuck walking behind him, returning to 
his own table. Starbuck wore a rather dark expression. The 
smile on her own face turned to a look of concern, despite 
Mulder's apparently light mood.

“Did the two of you have words again,” she asked.

“Oh, just some heedless banter. Ya know, guy stuff,” 
Mulder brushed the incident aside.

“Yeah, I know, guy stuff,” she glared at Starbuck and 
then looked back at 
Mulder, not thoroughly convinced that their conversation 
had been so amusing.

It was then that Fowley approached the table with the 
Death by Chocola and Athena’s expression went from 
perturbed to bewildered. Her eyes widened as she realized 
that Mulder had noticed the mystery delivery on her natal 
day and had mistakenly thought it had provoked happy 
feelings rather than embarrassment and anger.  It was going 
to take all of her self-control not to fling the 
scrumptious dessert at her ex-boyfriend.  'Why didn't we go 
to the Rising Star for our first date?' she asked herself 
as she pasted on a smile and dug into the treat.

**********

“Well there you are,” Cassi exclaimed as Starbuck 
returned and sat down. “I was worried that I might have 
scared you off,” she teased, her previous seductive tone 
remaining.

“Now darling, you know it takes a lot more than 
premeditated seduction from you to scare me off,” he 
returned in a sly tone, as he tried to ignore the glaring 
look that Athena had just given him. ‘What was that for?! 
What did Mulder 
tell on me?’

“You know, I wanted to talk to you about maybe getting 
some time off soon...for us to spend some real time 
together,” Cassi began, hoping that this evening would be a 
starting point to rekindle some of the passion in their 
relationship.

“Uh huh... yeah... that sounds good,” Starbuck 
responded, not really listening to his companion as he 
noticed the dessert being delivered to Mulder and Athena's 
table. He didn’t realize it but his eyes were widening and 
slowly moving away from Cassi as she spoke.

****************

Of course, all Mulder knew was that someone had sent 
her this decadent dessert on her natal day and it had 
gotten an enthusiastic response. By the present redness in 
her cheeks, Mulder could tell that there was more to the 
gift than just a kind gesture from a friend. And he now had 
a pretty good idea who had sent her the chocola delight.  
He suddenly wished he hadn't ordered it, he wanted them to 
have their own shared memories and experiences.

Athena had taken the liberty of ordering them another 
bottle of Ambrosa which Mulder now opened as he tried to 
decide how to apologize for introducing Starbuck into their 
evening.  'Even more,' he glanced over at the other pilot, 
who for once seemed to be busy with his own companion.   

“Listen, I didn't realize that, that," he motioned 
towards their dessert, "had any memories of Starbuck 
involved.  I'm sorry.  I really wish we had decided to go 
to the Rising Star tonight," he finished with a sad sigh.

Athena picked up her glass and leaned towards him, her 
eyes piercing lust right through him.  “Who?” she delivered 
in a sultry tone, her lips pursing in a suggestive manner 
as she made it clear that she was not going let her ex 
intrude on their evening.  She had far better plans for 
their evening.

Mulder blushed and looked down at the table.

Athena couldn’t help but smile at his display of 
shyness.  “This night is about you and me and no one else.  
I have had a lovely time with you and this evening is far 
from over,” Athena declared.

“I’ll drink to that!” Mulder held up his glass in a 
toast. 

Athena raised her glass to meet his, slightly 
caressing his hand with her pinky as the glasses clinked 
together.  "Now what do you say we take this bottle and go 
spend some time without any distractions?"

***************

Starbuck found himself mesmerized by the scene before 
him. The chocola delight that had become a lustful symbol 
of his and Athena’s relationship was now being perverted 
into an instrument of romance for her and Mulder. Starbuck 
felt like he had received a swift kick in the stomach.  He 
just wasn’t sure why. He had seen her on dates before and 
had never had this reaction. Perhaps because he knew that 
Mulder wasn’t like the other men she had dated?  

Over the past couple of yahrens, Athena had dated a 
few different men but no one had lasted very long.  As her 
friend, Starbuck had hoped that she would find happiness 
with someone as he had with Cassi.  Tonight, however, as he 
witnessed the sparkle in Athena’s eyes he felt a pain in 
his chest.  'It's just because she's over me, I'm just 
feeling a blow to my ego,' he told himself.  Then his 
stomach gave a lurch as Athena pushed the untouched dessert 
aside and clasped Mulder's pinky with her own.

“Starbuck... Starbuck?” Cassi’s voice broke his 
thoughts.

Starbuck looked back at Cassi, knowing full well that 
he couldn’t fool her this time. “I’m sorry Cass, I wasn’t 
listening,” he said in a somber tone.

“I’m sorry too,” she replied, equally morose. “What’s 
going on Starbuck?  I know this isn't just a headache.  A 
heartache maybe?”

“I’m not sure,” he responded.  “Look, Cass I...,” 
Starbuck broke off, unable to continue.  He didn't know 
what he could say.  He was enjoying a lovely evening with 
his girlfriend, a woman he cared for a great deal and he 
spent it surreptitiously watching his "sister" on a date.  
Brotherly concern was becoming less and less convincing.  
"It's really just a headache.”

“Don't lie to me!” Cassi exclaimed, loud enough to 
gain the attention of the diners close to them. “I have 
been more than patient with you for the past few sectons 
but I will not be made a fool of.  You have things you 
obviously need to work out, but you can do them without me 
if you can't even be honest.”
	
Starbuck didn’t need to take his eyes off of Cassi to 
know that Athena was looking at him, along with the rest of 
the room. ‘She’s probably happy that I’m getting a good 
tongue-lashing. I suppose I deserve it. I’ve been a real 
jerk lately. To everybody.’  Starbuck closed his eyes and 
didn't respond to Cassi's frustrated outburst.  He was 
lying and he didn't deserve her patience anymore.

Cassi took her linen out of her lap and threw it on 
her plate. “Sorry Starbuck, I refuse to sit here another 
micron while you drool over your ex-girlfriend and 
humiliate me in the process.  And she doesn't even want you 
anymore, she's found someone else.  Is that what this is 
about?  When you figure things out, or at least are ready 
to discuss them openly and honestly, come find me.” Cassi 
stood up and walked out of the room.

Starbuck sat for a micron, pondering whether to go 
after her or not. Cassi was right. He had been completely 
unfair to her. He had brought her here for a romantic 
evening and had spent most of it preoccupied with Athena 
and Mulder. Well, mostly Athena. He glanced up and caught 
Athena’s gaze on him as she and Mulder prepared to leave. 
He had expected her expression to be one of triumph.  
Instead it was one of pity.  

He looked away and felt a strange wetness stinging his 
eyes.  This evening wasn't turning out as he had planned at 
all.  Cassi was right.  He needed to figure out what was 
wrong with him.  'Maybe I just need a vacation,' he 
wondered as he headed back to the barracks, alone.

End
Athena13@geocities.com
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/6439