Title: Smoke and Mirrors
  A Cutting Room Floor story from ""Fire in Space""
  Author: The Twin Goddess
  Summary: Things get hotter after the fire is extinguished.
  Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah... leave your name and number at the beep and
  we'll get back to ya.
  ***************
  Tears in his eyes, Apollo held his son tightly and laughed.

  Starbuck, meanwhile, observed the reunion from across the room but
  didn't taken steps to join in. After bringing Boxey the good news
  about Muffit and displaying a jaunty grin, he had held himself distant
  from the festivities. Needing, more than anything, to block out
  anymore emotions lest he lose his composure once and for all on this
  hellish day.

  Apollo had been faced with the potential loss of the rest of his
  family and Starbuck knew that his best friend needed his support. For
  Apollo's sake, he had only shown optimism throughout the perilous
  centars, hiding his own emotions about the events taking place around
  him. Yet Starbuck had been gripped with his own fear that he would
  lose the people that had become his family too. Adama was the closest
  thing he ever had to a father. Boomer was the closest thing, next to
  Apollo, to a brother. Boxey, just as much a son to him as he was to
  Apollo.

  And then there was Athena.

  Once just a sister, then she had become something so much more. A
  friend. A lover. And though their romantic relationship had ended a
  short time ago, that fact did nothing to diminish how much he cared
  about her. Wondering whether she was still alive or had suffered a
  painful death, Starbuck had to admit it left him feeling as if perhaps
  there was still unfinished business with her he might never get to
  resolve.

  Hearing that she was alive and seeing it with his own eyes had almost
  been a sensory overload as he tried to form a coherent thought and
  grasp onto just one feeling. Some time ago he had decided he could not
  endure their being together and having to constantly live with the
  anguish of wondering when one of them would be taken away. Yet, he had
  to admit, being apart hadn't lessened the pain and fear he had felt
  today. Whether it was for his sister, friend or lover, or some
  twisted combination of all those roles, he couldn't pinpoint.
  Nor did it lessen his desire to take her into his arms, much as he had
  done to Boxey and Boomer earlier, and _feel_ that it was all right.
  But he didn't dare do that in front of everyone, especially
  Cassiopeia. Starbuck did have good instincts for avoiding trouble,
  even if he didn't always follow them.

  Some of that desire was muted as he bent down to receive Adama's
  gratitude for his efforts in extinguishing the fire. As Starbuck
  humbly denied his heroics, his eyes met Athena's clear blue gaze. As
  their eyes remained locked for less than a centon, he conveyed his
  relief that she was still alive and unharmed and she let him know how
  grateful she was for his efforts on their behalf.

  Athena, for her part, had resisted a similar urge to run and sink into
  Starbuck's arms when he had entered the Life Center, but like Starbuck
  she didn't want to make a scene in front of the others. Nor did she
  want to leave her father's side now that she had discovered she had
  almost lost him. In a way, she was actually glad that she hadn't known
  of her father's condition while they had been trapped in the
  Rejuvenation Center. Somehow she didn't think she would have been able
  to face the threats to herself, Boxey, Boomer and the others _and_ the
  tortured images of what was happening to her father at the same time.
  She highly doubted she would have been able to think clearly enough to
  help Boomer and protect Boxey from the smoke. Smoke that caused the
  hacking coughs that almost overcame her in the Rejuvenation Center.
  And which she still felt burning inside her.

  Now that Cassie had requested they leave so that Adama and the other
  patients could rest, Athena was eager to escape before she was put
  into the life pod next to him, which might happen if she gave free
  reign to the coughs that she could feel building once again.
  Athena kissed her father's forehead and promised to visit him later
  before walking out with Boomer and Starbuck. Apollo and Boxey had run
  ahead to rush over to the Science Ship so Boxey could supervise the
  repairs of his furry hero friend.

  ""Well that was more than enough excitement for one day,"" Athena
  cleared her throat and proclaimed as they approached the turbolift.
  Boomer let out a heavy sigh. ""I'm just hoping that there is enough
  water left in the tanks for a long turboshower,"" he replied.

  "Uh, I hate to tell you this buddy," Starbuck chimed in. "But they've
  had to shut off the water for about a centar while they repair some of
  the damage to the internal pipe system."

  "That is the _last_ thing I wanted to hear, Starbuck," Athena growled
  as the turbolift doors closed. "And how can you smoke that thing when
  we still have fires smoldering on this ship?"

  "Don't kill the messenger!" Starbuck held up his hands in defense, his
  lips protectively wrapped around his fumarello.

  "Sorry," she smiled weakly. "I just _really_ wanted to wash all this
  soot off."

  "And to think that just centars ago you were saying how glad you were
  to have a little time off the bridge," Boomer remarked ironically.

  "Bet you wish you had been there instead of the Rejuvenation Center
  when the attack hit."

  Starbuck noticeably grimaced at Boomer's words. "Believe me, this was
  one time she should be glad that she _wasn't_ on the bridge," Starbuck
  responded to their obvious confusion.

  "Was it hit that bad?" Athena asked softly.

  "Let's just say that you don't have a station anymore," Starbuck
  replied evasively.

  Athena's eyes widened as she realized the implications of his words.
  "Ensign Rylan?" she asked in a strained voice.

  The somber look on Starbuck's face told her all. Athena closed her
  eyes and her chin trembled as she remembered the young ensign who had
  taken her shift. Rylan was, had been, as eager to learn as he was to
  please. He had pleaded with her numerous times to take her extra shift
  so he could gain more experience at the tactical station. Tigh had
  finally given his permission this secton and Athena had gladly given
  up her shift to spend some time with Boxey.

  "I guess maybe we should all just get some rest," Boomer said tiredly,
  hoping that a good night's sleep would help chase away the tension of
  the day's harrowing events.

  Athena opened her eyes and, forcibly brushing away her despair, looked
  at the two warriors with an eager look. "I don't know about you two,
  but I need a big drink!" she declared.

  "Now, _that_ I'm up for," Starbuck exclaimed. "What do you say Boomer?
  Toss back a few?"

  "Well, if I can't bathe in water, I might as well bathe in Ambrosa,"
  obviously finding that idea more appealing than tossing and turning on
  his bunk.

  "That was beautiful Boom," Starbuck swung his arm around his fellow
  warrior. "Looks like all that smoke has gone to your brain and made
  you a poet."

  "Don't expect me to lull you to sleep tonight, buddy," Boomer teased
  as he pointedly pushed Starbuck off him.

  A sudden feeling of relief washed over Athena as she watched her two
  friends banter, something she hadn't thought about losing before, but
  was glad to hear again. "Then we're off to the Officer's Club!" she
  sang.

  "Actually, I'll meet you guys there in a few centons. There's
  something I want to check first," he said mysteriously.

  Not wanting to pry, Athena and Starbuck assured their friend that a
  drink would be waiting for him when he arrived and they stepped off
  the lift, leaving Boomer to run his errand.

  Despite her outward joviality, Athena couldn't erase the image of
  Ensign Rylan. Unable to rebuild her emotional walls, Athena's face
  fell. "I can't believe Rylan's gone," she lamented softly. "He was so
  excited when Tigh allowed him to take my shift."

  Starbuck walked beside her in silence, a knot forming in his own
  stomach at her hauntingly familiar words.

  "I thought I was helping him," Athena continued, oblivious to
  Starbuck's inner turmoil. "Instead, I got him killed. It should have
  been me."

  "It should _not_ have been you! It's not your fault Athena," Starbuck
  stopped walking and gripped her arms, spinning her to face his stern
  expression.

  "Maybe not," she said slowly, her eyes locking with his. "But he died
  on my shift. I can't help but feel guilty."

  "I know. Believe me, if there's anyone that understands that, it's
  me," Starbuck replied.

  Athena's eyes widened. "Oh my God," she exclaimed, a lump rising in
  her throat. "Is this the feeling you've been carrying around for the
  past sectars? Is this...," she was unable to finish her words, images
  of a locker room flashing before her eyes.

  "Pretty much," Starbuck nodded and dropped his hands.

  Their eyes met in sad recognition of one of the terrible events that
  took place the day of the Destruction. It was only now that Athena
  began to understand the burden of guilt Starbuck felt for Zac's death.
  A tear slipped down Athena's cheek as the implications her lack of
  understanding had had on the course of events since that time began to
  sink in. While she had never blamed him for what had happened to Zac,
  neither had she looked beneath the surface of his behavior. She
  realized she would have a hard time convincing him she didn't, and
  never had, held him responsible now that she had inadvertently stated
  her own feelings about Rylan. But she had to try, because even if it
  couldn't undo the damage of the past, perhaps it would help him in the
  future.

  "Starbuck, nobody blames you for Zac's death," she asserted gently,
  reaching a hand out to touch his face. "Nobody has ever blamed you."
  "I know," Starbuck nodded, swallowing tears. "But just like nobody
  will blame you for Ensign Rylan, it's your own conscience you have to
  fight with." Starbuck looked down and away from her piercing gaze.
  Athena felt a wave of exhaustion sweep through her body at his words.
  She didn't have the strength to fight her own guilt, what made her
  think she could fight his? But she realized that if they both held on
  to these feelings tonight, they were liable to toss down a case of
  grog and blow themselves out a couple of airlocks. This had to stop!
  Starbuck had almost lost his life trying to save them and she wasn't
  going to allow her own melancholy to bring him down.

  "Well I don't know about you, but I'm gonna kick my conscience in the
  astrum with a few shots of Tekania," she declared with a wry smile,
  trying to lighten the mood.

  "Sounds good to me," Starbuck took her cue and returned the smile,
  pushing down his own morose feelings.

  "Let's go then," she grabbed his hand and began leading him down the
  hallway. "I'll bet Boomer is already..."

  "Athena, wait," Starbuck stopped her. "Come here," he said softly as
  he pulled her towards him in a warm embrace. He had wanted to do this
  in the Life Center and had resigned himself to the fact that he wasn't
  going to get the chance. But now, after the conversation they'd just
  had, he couldn't deny his need to hold her. Or his need to finish
  whatever unfinished business they might have.

  "I'm glad you're okay," Starbuck said softly, kissing the side of her
  head.

  "Partly thanks to you," Athena replied as she pulled back and smiled.

  "Hmmm, I don't think I like how you said 'partly'," he noted.

  "Hey, I give credit where credit is due," she declared. "Believe me,
  if you had single-handedly put that fire out, you'd be getting a lot
  more than a simple 'thank you'," she suggested with a sly grin.

  "Oh? In that case, remind me to volunteer next time," he winked.

  "Hopefully there won't be a next time," she said. "And seriously,
  thank you, for everything. What you did for us, Boxey and Boomer and
  I. And for Apollo and my father." She leaned forward and gently
  pressed her lips to his in an intimate gesture of gratitude.
  Starbuck's hands flew up before he realized and cupped the back of her
  head. His mouth opened and his tongue slipped inside her mouth. His
  hands held her head in place as he explored her mouth. He moaned as
  Athena's hands flew around his shoulders and their bodies pressed
  together. "I was so scared," he said into her mouth.
  "I was...," Athena began to say when suddenly the congestion in her
  chest began to make its presence known. She pulled back, pushing
  against his chest as she gasped for air.

  "Athena!" Starbuck's hands fell from her head to her arms.

  Athena didn't respond as her body became wracked with the coughs she
  had successfully hidden from Doctor Salik.

  "Oh my God," Starbuck exclaimed. "We have to get you to the Life
  Center!"

  Athena put a hand on Starbuck's arm as her coughs faded and her
  breathing became easier. "No," she calmed him. "Micron," she took a
  deep breath. She took another deep breath and let it out. "I'm fine,"
  she said breathing deeply. "That was just too long repressed," she
  explained, looking into his concerned face.

  "You sure?" Starbuck asked doubtfully.

  "Yeah. I'm sure," she laughed. "That's what I get for trying to be
  stoic. But my throat could really use that drink now," her eyes
  widened as she suddenly remembered what had just happened and moved
  quickly away from him.

  "Athena...," Starbuck began.

  "We were overwhelmed," Athena interrupted, waving a hand to indicate
  they didn't have to discuss it. "Boomer is probably waiting for us and
  we, well, we know where we stand. It was...we were overwhelmed with
  some heavy emotions there. Let's forget it. I know it didn't mean,
  well, um, what other people might think it meant," Athena looked
  around suddenly and was relieved to find they were alone.

  "Um, yeah," Starbuck nodded, uncertain as to what he was supposed to
  say or feel. 'I should be relieved,' he told himself, not quite
  feeling that way.

  "Let's go get those drinks. Maybe he'll have some waiting for us,"
  Starbuck's mien quickly returned to its usual joviality.

  "I hope so!" Athena smiled back at him before she turned and hurried
  down the corridor towards their destination for the evening, Starbuck
  close behind.

  **********************
  The Officer's Club was relatively quiet considering they had just,
  barely, survived a harrowing day. It was also strangely absent of
  people coming off their work cycle, but then today had not been
  ordinary by any stretch of the imagination. A few warriors were
  standing around in small groups drinking grog, but even they were
  reserved in their manner. Athena and Starbuck felt their own moods
  settle by the strangely calm atmosphere as they entered.

  "I don't see Boomer, and it's not like he would be blocked by the
  crowd in here," Starbuck observed dryly as he noted the lack of
  patrons.

  "I wonder where he is? I hope he's all right," Athena felt uneasy at
  his unexplained disappearance. Perhaps she just got too used to him
  being by her side?

  "I'm sure he's fine," Starbuck shrugged, used to his friends' strange
  moods. "But alas, we won't have to drink alone," Starbuck placed his
  hand on Athena's back and guided her toward a table of people they
  both knew very well.

  "Hey you two! Come join us!" Jolly called out, waving them over.

  Sheba turned around and immediately sprang from her chair at the sight
  of Athena, relief clearly etched on her features. While she knew she
  was more than welcome, she had chosen not to accompany Apollo to the
  Life Center, wanting to give him a chance to be reunited with his
  family in privacy. Somehow, she had suspected that Apollo might be
  uncomfortable with her watching him in such a private moment. Perhaps
  it was the fact that he couldn't look her in the eye as they made
  their way from the landing bay and up the turbolift?

  "Athena!" Sheba threw her arms around Athena. "I'm so happy you're all
  right."

  "It's good to see you too, Sheba," Athena returned the embrace. "But
  I'm not sure you want to get too close to me right now," she teased,
  pulling back. "I haven't had the chance to take a shower yet," she
  finished in a stage whisper.

  "Who of us has?" Sheba rolled her eyes and laughed.

  "Lovely.... this should be a very popular table," Starbuck said
  ironically as he walked past the two women to find a seat.

  "And you will fit in nicely, Stinky," Athena elbowed him in the ribs
  as he walked past.

  "What's that, Smokey?" Starbuck pretended not to hear her.

  "Hey Athena, I'll bet you could use something cold and wet," exclaimed
  Greenbean as she approached him and Jolly at the bar.

  "Greeny, you've read my mind," she replied enthusiastically as Jolly
  handed her a tankard of grog. Athena tipped back her cup and let the
  cold wetness slide down her throat smoothing out the roughness caused
  by the heat and fire of the day. "That, I really needed," Athena put
  her hand on Greenbean's arm in gratitude. "Do you need some help
  carrying the rest of those?" she motioned toward the other cups on the
  bar in front of him.

  "Nah, I can get it," Greenbean dipped his head shyly.

  "Sure, we want to watch you drop...," Boomer suddenly chimed in,
  leaning over Athena's shoulder and counting the number of cups sitting
  on the bar. "Seven tankards of grog," he finished.

  "Fine, fine, I'd love some assistance," Greenbean shot Boomer a glare
  over Athena's shoulder.

  Boomer leaned over and picked up three of the cups, and in the process
  blocked Athena's view of the Ensign's embarrassment. "Athena, take
  one, Greeny can grab the rest."

  Athena smiled at Boomer's take-charge attitude and, as she had done
  all day, immediately complied. 'It had saved all our astrums,' she
  laughed at her uncharacteristic obedience.

  "So where were you?" Starbuck asked Boomer as the cups of grog were
  distributed.

  "I told you, I had something to take care of," he said in a tone that
  communicated his desire not to be questioned.

  "Hey, sure," Starbuck shrugged and took a sip of his drink. Over his
  cup, however, he looked at Athena to see if she knew anything more.
  When Athena shook her head, he returned his speculative looks to their
  friend.

  Of all their friends, Boomer had always been the most reserved about
  his personal history. Even after the Destruction he rarely talked of
  his family or his childhood on Caprica. And like tonight, he was known
  to disappear mysteriously only to reappear without an explanation.
  Even Apollo and Starbuck didn't always know what the dark-skinned
  warrior was up to. 

  Athena eyed him speculatively, suddenly determined
  to unravel the mystery that was Boomer. He had saved her and her
  nephew's life, somehow she had to make it up to him and she had no
  idea how to begin. There had to be something she could do for him?
  
  Starbuck leaned back in his seat, his exhaustion suddenly taking hold
  of his body. He almost felt like he was in a dream as he automatically
  lifted his cup of grog and looked around the table. 

  The story of Boomer's actions in the Rejuv Center had already made the rounds of
  the battlestar and his friend was receiving well-deserved accolades.
  Starbuck was more than happy to have the spotlight on his fellow
  warrior. While he and Apollo had helped put out the worst of the fires
  that threatened to consume the ship and threaten the trapped ship
  residents, if Boomer hadn't kept them alive there wouldn't be any
  celebration tonight. Yet despite that fact, Boomer was clearly trying
  to change the subject. Typical Boomer. He only preened when he wanted
  to rib his two best friends.

  Of course, everyone at the table was used to Boomer's tactics and
  ignored his reticence to discuss his heroics. Starbuck continued to
  sip his grog as he watched Boomer become more embarrassed and Athena
  next to him filling in the gaps in the story being told. Starbuck had
  already heard most of the details from some of the others trapped in
  the Center and Boxey himself. What he hadn't heard, he didn't think he
  really wanted to hear about. Not tonight. For now, he let the
  conversation wash over him as he let his mind and body float whatever
  way they wished. All his energy was devoted to drinking his grog and
  feeling an uncharacteristic gratitude to higher powers that Boomer had
  been in the Rejuvenation Center that day. The thought of life if
  anyone had been killed, especially Apollo and the Commander's family,
  was intolerable.

  Athena decided to take pity on Boomer and helped him redirect the
  conversation. While all she wanted to do was heap praise on him for
  his heroism, he was practically squirming in his seat. Boomer wanted
  to put the events behind him, Athena knew, but she would never forget
  what he had done. Not when her ability to feel gratitude was only
  because of him. Still, in keeping with his wishes she began to speak
  of relatively inconsequential things with their friends.

  As the cycle wore on, however, Athena found herself glancing more and
  more at the sturdy man next to her. She bit her lip and looked into
  her cup of grog. Somehow, she could feel her perceptions changing as
  she sat there in the Club. She had lived her whole life in a world
  where their very existence was threatened by outside forces with no
  reason behind their actions other than mindless intolerance. The value
  of life had always been something she understood and after the
  destruction of their worlds had became an even more precious
  commodity. Yet, she had never felt her own life to be so directly
  threatened before. Not even when she flew in battle or Starbuck had
  been taken by the Cylons, she glanced at him as she thought back to
  that time, nor when Serina had been killed. She turned her gaze to
  Boomer now as she tried to work out her feelings.

  With this strong man by her side through the day's events, however,
  she had felt her own mortality resting in his hands. She studied his
  features as if she had never seen them before. Boomer just had always
  been there in her life, and of course she had always realized just how
  attractive he was. But she had never really _noticed_. Tonight, just
  looking at him filled her with strength.

  Starbuck's haze began to clear as he watched Athena watching Boomer.
  He had felt her gaze fall on him momentarily and had turned to see
  what she was thinking. He had even squirmed a bit, afraid that she was
  thinking back on the kiss they had shared a short time ago. It was
  clear as he watched her, however, that it was not him she was thinking
  about. He had to admit feeling a pain in the region of his heart as he
  saw her looking at Boomer in the way she had used to look at him.
  And now the memory of their brief kiss wouldn't leave his mind. He had
  been uncertain whether she had meant her words earlier or whether she
  was just acting defensively because she expected him to make light of
  their interlude. But he had grabbed onto her excuse and pushed away
  the knowledge that if she hadn't started coughing as his lips tasted
  hers he probably wouldn't have stopped. Watching her, memories and
  fantasy began to mix in his mind and he couldn't help but wonder how
  making love with her again would feel tonight.

  "Hey Cassie," Sheba's voice interrupted his reverie and his eyes
  widened as he caught sight of the woman he had been spending most of
  his free time with approaching their table.

  "It's about time you joined us," Sheba told her.

  "It was a _very_ busy day in the life center," Cassie explained
  unnecessarily as she approached Starbuck's chair and placed a hand on
  his shoulder. "Doctor Salik ordered me to leave though. He thinks I'll
  actually be able to sleep," she smiled and shook her head.

  "How is my father?" Athena turned to the blond former-rival and asked.

  "He's fast asleep, Athena," Cassie replied gently. "He fell asleep not
  too long after you all left." Cassie took the seat next to Starbuck
  that Jolly offered her as he moved to the other side of the table.

  "Thank you for everything you did for him," Athena offered in sincere
  gratitude. Even though she still had issues with the Med-Tech, Athena
  couldn't deny Cassie's integral role in saving her father's life.

  "Just doing my job," Cassie brushed away Athena's gratitude with a
  wave of the hand. "Adama's a fighter. He's going to be fine."

  "Uh huh," Athena unsuccessfully tried to stifle a yawn.

  "And he's not the only one who needs some rest," Cassie observed.

  "I guess it's all catching up with me," Athena admitted, as Boomer
  nodded his agreement with the sentiment.

  "I'd say that I for one will sleep well tonight," Boomer revealed that
  he too was feeling the effects of the long day and the grog.

  "Looks like you're a little late for the party, Cass," Sheba shrugged.
  "Everyone's starting to drop off."

  "Then it looks like I've arrived just in time to take this hero to
  bed," she leaned over and wrapped her arms around Starbuck's torso.

  Resisting the urge to roll her eyes at Cassie's unimaginative comment,
  Athena decided it was a good time to make her exit. "That sounds like
  a great idea to me," she started to make her excuses. She stopped
  suddenly, however, when she realized what she had just said. "That_
  didn't come out quite right," she dropped her face into her hands and
  laughed.

  Everyone burst out laughing at her gaffe. 

  Everyone except Starbuck.  Starbuck had felt his heartbeat speed up 
  at her words and, rather than being entertained by her slip up, he had felt 
  a stab of disappointment at her easy dismissal of the statement. Not too long 
  ago she would have been embarrassed, not amused. As he absently noted Cassie
  stroking his chest, he wondered whether the grog was unduly affecting
  his mood.

  Still, he watched as Athena uncovered her face and wiped tears from
  underneath her eyes. Her entire face was aglow with humor and
  vitality, a look that was undeniably eye-catching. His words of a few
  sectons ago slammed into his mind with the force of a Nomen laserbol.
  He had rejected her, he claimed, because she would become a viper
  pilot and their children might be left orphaned like himself. He was
  even more stupid than he had told her at the time. This was the first
  time her life had been genuinely threatened and she had merely been in
  the Rejuvenation Center with her nephew. She had been right, his
  reasons didn't make any sense.

  Yet, right at this micron, the hand of the woman he had chosen as the
  safer choice was slipping her hand down his stomach. Starbuck
  swallowed as he waited for her to find her way to his erection. His
  eyes narrowed as she touched him. His stomach was sinking as she
  breathed into his ear.

  Starbuck saw both Boomer and Athena look at him, their knowledge of
  what Cassie was doing to his body shining in their eyes. Boomer looked
  amused, Athena looked disgusted. As Athena turned away, Starbuck bit
  his lip to stop from crying out that his arousal was for her, not for
  the woman taking advantage of it.

  He watched helplessly as Boomer put his hand on Athena's arm. "Girl,
  you're _definitely_ tired," he teased. "C'mon, let's get you back to
  your quarters before you stick your other foot in your mouth."

  Athena's face brightened again at his teasing and she winked at him.

  Starbuck felt powerless as Boomer helped Athena to her feet and put
  his arm around her shoulders. Ironically, he felt grateful that Cassie
  had her hands on his body, trapping him in the chair. Had she not, he
  was certain that he would have jumped up and edged his way between the
  two warriors. His mind and body were out of his control tonight, his
  hands probably would be too. His eyes traced the curve of Athena's
  body, curves that Starbuck noticed were practically pressed against
  Boomer's side. Athena wasn't the type of person to invite such
  physical intimacy easily and Starbuck knew with a certainty borne of
  experience that while he was dreaming of making love to Athena, she
  was dreaming of the man at her side.

  Boomer put his hand on Athena's back and began to push her towards the
  door as their good-byes dragged on.

  Starbuck tried to content himself with the thought that she was safe
  and alive. "Don't forget to take a turboshower," Starbuck teasingly
  reminded. "Or at least stay downwind of me," he couldn't help trying
  to get her attention before she left with Boomer.

  "You're one to talk," Athena satisfied his craving and turned around
  to retort. "Why do you think I sat _across_ the table from you?"

  Starbuck was about to parry with a witty reply when Cassie broke in.
  "Nothing a turboshower of our own won't cure," she purred as she
  nuzzled his neck.

  "I'm sure of that," Boomer said dryly and he and Athena left.

  "Are you ready to come to bed now?" Cassie asked.

  Starbuck was mortified to find himself getting flaccid under her
  touch. In all honesty, he probably could go back to Cassie's and
  satisfy her. It would also probably take his mind off his weird mood
  and the physical pleasure he received from her was undeniable. Yet, he
  couldn't seem to bring himself to passively agree. All he really
  wanted tonight was a shower and a deep sleep in the barracks. This
  cycle, he craved the anonymity and isolation over the intimacy staying
  with Cassie provided.

  "Um, Cassie," he turned to look at her for the first time that
  evening.

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

  Boomer kept his hand on Athena's lower back as he guided her back to
  her quarters. He said he was going to bring her back to her quarters
  and he meant it. He had been protective of her all day and he couldn't
  turn it off just because they were no longer in danger.

  "You don't have to walk me all the way back to my quarters," Athena
  told him.

  "I said I was and I keep my word," he insisted.

  "Well," Athena looked momentarily embarrassed. "I was planning to stop
  at the women's locker room and see if I could get a turboshower before
  bed. I am truly beginning to feel gross. I'll never fall asleep like
  this. I'm afraid I'll contaminate my bed."

  Boomer laughed, he couldn't disagree. He wanted a shower himself.
  "Did I hear you mention shower?" a passing technician interrupted
  their conversation.

  "Yes," Athena confirmed.

  "Sorry to tell you this, but only the men's showers are turned on
  right now. We hope the women's will be back up sometime during early
  cycle," he told them.

  "When I have duty," Athena's shoulders slumped in disappointment.
  "Thanks for telling me."

  "No problem, Athena," the technician headed away.

  "Do you know everyone?" Boomer asked her.

  "No, everyone knows me, Commander's daughter," she corrected his
  misconception.

  "The price of fame," Boomer teased.

  "Hey, when your private life is on the IFB, then you can laugh,"
  Athena punched him lightly in the stomach. "Well, there's no way I'm
  going to sleep tonight!"

  Boomer was silent for a centon. "I have an idea," Boomer began to pull
  her down the hall.

  "What idea?" Athena said breathlessly as she kept pace with the
  rushing warrior.

  "You'll see," he said mysteriously as he dragged her into the
  turbolift.

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

  "You expect me to shower in here?" Athena asked in a shocked whisper.

  "No need to whisper," Boomer told her smugly. "There's no one here
  now. I mean, it's not like anyone is working out at a time like this.
  We're still fighting fires, cleaning up and recovering."

  "And no one else will think to come down here and shower?" Athena
  asked skeptically.

  "I guarantee it," Boomer nodded confidently.

  "This is crazy," Athena couldn't help but smile at this resourceful
  man. They were standing outside the men's exercise room locker area.
  Boomer was insisting she could get a shower in there. She knew they
  were communal showers just like the women's area. Her face pinkened as
  she pictured someone else walking in and finding her. "What if someone
  walks in?"

  "You could shower in your undergarments," Boomer cleared his throat
  and Athena could swear she saw a blush on his face.

  Athena broke up laughing. "Oh, let's just do it," she waved him ahead
  of her, oblivious to the double entendre in her statement.

  "If you insist," Boomer dead panned and led her inside.

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

  Athena and Boomer stood eyeing each other between two rows of lockers.

  "Okay, genius, now what?" Athena crossed her arms.

  Boomer looked around, a bit bewildered himself. He hadn't thought this
  far. They had both been focused on other people coming in, they had
  forgotten about each other.

  "You want to take a shower too, don't you?" Athena asked.

  "Um, yeah," Boomer said hesitantly, practically feeling his uniform
  crawl against his skin. "You go first," he said gallantly.

  "And you'll be where while I shower?" she smirked at him.

  "Ah, I, uh, watching the door?" he suggested.

  Athena bit her lip to keep from giggling. Since they had realized
  their predicament, Athena's tiredness had disappeared. She almost
  wished he would watch her undress and shower, she thought wickedly. Or
  she got to watch him...

  "Well, go," she said.

  "Are you...," Boomer paused. "Are you leaving your undergarments on?"

  "Why do you ask?" she asked in an innocent tone of voice, teasing him.

  "No reason," Boomer spun on his heels and walked away.

  Athena let her giggles out and she knew that he heard her. With a
  groan of relief she began to strip off her uniform. There was no way
  she was leaving her undergarments on. He was watching the door and had
  guaranteed she wouldn't be caught. When she was naked, she practically
  sprinted to the showers, not even pausing when she scooped up a towel.

  Within microns, the water was streaming down her tall, lithe body
  washing away the soot and sweat of the day. She pushed some soap into
  her hands from the dispenser and began to lather up her body. As she
  washed her hair she idly wondered where Boomer was. Her movements
  slowed as she imagined he was really watching her.

  She turned her back to the showerhead and threw her head back as she
  rinsed the shampoo from her long tresses. She lifted her arms,
  pressing her breasts forward as she moved her fingers through her
  hair. Once her hair was rinsed she began to lather her body again,
  slowly.

  She lathered the soap on the curls between her legs and began to
  spread it over her stomach. Then, using both hands she began to
  massage the lather into her breasts. Her eyes closed as she imagined
  it wasn't her own hands on her body.

  "Are you done in there yet?" Boomer's irritated voice interrupted her
  fantasy.

  "Just a micron," she yelled back, a sour look on her face. She
  hurriedly rinsed her body and turned off the water. She rubbed herself
  with the towel quickly before wrapping herself up in it and heading
  back into the locker area.

  Boomer was standing by his locker, his jacket tossed onto the bench
  and his boots and socks off. He seemed startled when she appeared, and
  even more startled as he saw what she was wearing.

  Athena felt her nipples harden as he continued to stare at her. She
  hadn't known the men's towels were smaller than the women's until she
  wrapped it around her body. She had it tied off halfway down her
  breasts and the bottom still just barely covered the curls between her
  legs. If she raised an arm or otherwise moved unwisely, she knew that
  that coverage would cease. Her choices now were either to die of
  embarrassment or consign her modesty to hell and bluff her way out of
  this situation.

  "You practically ordered me to finish, I finished," she stopped
  herself from shrugging at the last micron.

  "Yeah, well, women never seem to hurry," Boomer did shrug.

  Athena looked away from Boomer's gaze, which was still fixated on her
  body, and looked around. Suddenly, something occurred to her and her
  eyes widened. She looked back at Boomer, her heart pounding.

  "What?" he asked, his attention back on her face.

  "I have nothing to change into," she told him.

  "Frak!" Boomer bit out the expletive as he saw her uniform crumpled on
  the floor by his bare feet.

  Athena felt a laugh building up, as the absurdity of the situation
  became obvious. Since Boomer had his brilliant idea, and it was
  brilliant, they had been bungling its execution. "Listen, why don't
  you shower and then we'll think of something."

  "_I_ don't have anything to change into," Boomer admitted with a sigh.
  "I cleaned out my locker yesterday."
  
"You don't happen to know Starbuck or Apollo's combination? I'm sure
  they haven't cleaned their lockers out," she snorted.

 "I cleaned it out for them," Boomer admitted. "I was getting
  offended...I did it," he didn't bother to clarify his reasons.

  That was it, Athena couldn't hold back anymore. She broke up laughing.
  Boomer soon followed suit she noticed when his laughter joined hers.
 
 After a few centons the two warriors brought themselves under control.

 Athena was wiping tears off her cheek and turned to look at Boomer.

  "What?" she asked as she saw him staring at her, his eyes wide and his
  pupils dilated.

  His hand motioned towards her and she looked down. During her
  hysterics, her towel had opened to reveal her right hip and side to
  his view. Even the side of her full breast was showing. Athena quickly
  acted to rectify the situation. She reached over and undid the knot
  she had made of the towel ends and prepared to tighten it up again.
  Unthinkingly, she pulled the towel taught to wrap it around her body
  again, forgetting that such a motion would display the entire front of
  her body and she hadn't turned around.

  Before she could bring the towel back around herself, however, a vice
  grip closed around her wrists.

  Startled, Athena looked up and saw Boomer's eyes smoldering at her. Or
  more specifically, at her naked body. She looked back up at him and
  licked her dry lips, looking for something to say. Nothing seemed to
  come to mind. Her heart was racing and her breathing was speeding up
  as Boomer's eyes traced every millimeter of her bare skin.

  His gaze felt like a heat lamp drying the droplets of water still
  glistening on her skin and there was an answering wetness pooling
  between her legs. Suddenly she felt herself pulled forward and the
  towel dropped to the floor. Boomer pulled her arm around his neck and
  his arms came around her naked back. He pressed her against him and
  claimed her mouth for a searing kiss.

  Athena felt like she was drowning. Against her pubic bone she could
  feel his arousal thrusting against her. His tongue was diving into her
  mouth and his hands were moving up and down her naked back and hips.
  Her own hands were gripping the back of his tunic as she felt her
  knees weaken.

  "I didn't get my shower yet," Boomer growled into her neck, his hand
  entwined in the ends of her hair, holding her prisoner to his
  ministrations.

  "Shower," Athena breathed.

  Suddenly Boomer shoved her away. Athena felt disappointment and
  embarrassment rising in her until she saw the reason for the action.
  Boomer was practically ripping his clothes off and Athena was
  breathless as more and more of his beautiful body was revealed before
  her. Triad uniforms, she incongruously noted, didn't do him justice.
  Suddenly he was completely stripped before her. His chocola colored
  skin was gleaming under the lights and she just wanted to lick every
  centimeter of him. His muscles weren't overly large, but they were
  firm and well developed. Athena gulped as she took in the boxes of his
  stomach muscles. She had always been a sucker for those. Finally, she
  brought her gaze between his legs. His erection was straining towards
  her and had it been standing straight up she was sure it would
  probably brush his belly button. When it was inside her it would be so
  deep, she thought breathlessly, her hand unconsciously reached out to
  touch him.

  As soon as her fingers wrapped around his glans, Boomer pulled her
  against him and began to ravage her mouth again. He skimmed a hand
  down her side and around her thigh. With his knee he spread her legs
  and he slipped a finger inside her wet center. Athena bit her lip as
  her muscles clenched around his finger. Then she moaned in
  disappointment as he pulled out, but within microns she was in his
  arms as he strode towards the showers.

  Once in the shower area, Boomer turned on two turboshowers. Standing
  beneath one spray he pulled her against him and let the water stream
  over them without making a move. After a few centons, he brought her
  hand to the dispenser and let the soap fall into her palm. Athena let
  him lead. Then he rubbed his hand against hers, building a lather.
  Once the soap was fully activated, he rubbed her palm on his chest and
  looked her in the eyes.

  Athena's other hand reached out and gathered some lather and she began
  to wash him. Athena spread the soap until his entire body was covered
  in suds. Rubbing her hands along his muscles, she felt like she was
  washing a statue, but washing a statue would not have been as
  enjoyable. A statue, for one thing, wouldn't tremble beneath her
  fingers. Or gasp as she dragged her finger up his ass crack. Or
  "accidentally" rubbed her hard nipples up his back.

  Strategically, she had left his "heads" for last. Walking around his
  body she casually walked to the soap dispenser. She gathered shampoo
  in her hands and then slowly turned to face him. He was watching her
  intently, but like the entire time she worshipped his body, he didn't
  say a word. She walked towards him, carelessly passing under the
  shower spray.

  Idly she realized they were wasting water, but remembered the
  reclamation system and brushed the thought away.

  Her hair was plastered to her body and water was running down her skin
  and she felt a chill as she entered the dry air again. Wordlessly, she
  stood in front of him, careful not to let her body touch his still
  straining cockstand, and began to wash his hair. Soap began to slide
  down his cheeks and unable to help herself any longer she caressed his
  face and brought her lips to his.

  Boomer returned her kiss, their lips and tongues blending and
  caressing for centons. Yet, he still didn't touch her, or say a word
  when she pulled back.

  Athena pushed his malleable body to stand under the other shower spray
  and washed the suds from his body.

  "I think you missed a spot," Boomer finally deigned to speak.
  Athena looked at him, impishness in her eyes. "I didn't forget. I just
  figured that after today he might need special attention. Besides, I
  didn't want soap to get in your eyes while I worked," she murmured.

  "Oh," Boomer said.

  Once she was satisfied he was soap free, Athena pulled him out of the
  spray and pressed his back against the wall between the two going
  sprays. She saw Boomer's breathing speed up as she rubbed her hands
  together. And he gulped when she placed a hand against his shoulder,
  restraining him against the wall. Carelessly, she let her breast brush
  against his chest. She looked him in the eyes as her hand reached out
  and finally closed around his penis. Boomer's eyes closed and he
  sucked in a breath at her touch.

  Slowly, she began to spread lather up and down his stiffened member.

  "Oh, this might take two hands," Athena mumbled in mock consternation
  as she began to stroke him with both hands. One hand lathered his
  balls as the other continued to stroke him in her tight grasp. She
  felt him trembling and saw his hands curl into fists as he tried to
  control himself. Athena moved one hand under the shower spray and
  cleaned her hand off and cupped some water. Then she spread the water
  over Boomer's throbbing. Again and again she drenched it in water
  until it was free of soap. Then she looked at Boomer.

  Without waiting for him to say the words he began to speak, she
  dropped down and took him into her mouth.

  Whatever he had been about to say turned into a strangled croak of
  "Lords of Kobol."

  Athena laved her tongue up and down his length and then sucked him
  into her mouth again until his tip was pressing against the back of
  her throat. With all concentration she kept him in that position and
  continued to suck.

  Finally, needing air, she began to run her tongue and lips along his
  length again.

  "Athena," Boomer was murmuring, his hands tangled in her hair. His
  hips were thrusting into her mouth and she could feel his balls begin
  to clench as he approached orgasm. Athena reached a hand between her
  legs and began to stroke herself, her own arousal increasing as she
  observed his.

  "Stop," he whispered.

  Athena looked up at him questioningly, her hand still moving between
  her own legs.

  "Lie down," he asked. "On your back."

  Athena was curious but complied.

  Boomer kneeled down between her legs and leaned down and began sucking
  on her breast. Athena's hand cradled the back of his head as he
  continue to nip and lave one nipple and then the other. Her knees were
  pressed against his torso until he began to kiss down her stomach.

  Then he began to drag his tongue through her curls and, finally, to her
  clitoris.

  Athena's hips bucked as he suckled her clitoris and began to dive his
  finger into her. Athena felt her insides beginning to tighten in time
  with his movements. Her hands were above her head and her hair was
  plastered wildly to the floor. Her eyes were closed and her hips were
  thrusting into his fingers.

  As soon as his tongue entered her she exploded. His hands cradled her
  ass and pressed her against his face as his tongue moved inside her
  and he drank her ecstasy.

  "Oh my God," Athena breathed.

  Boomer licked his lips and smiled wickedly from above her.

  She couldn't move, she was sated and lethargic. Until she felt his tip
  brushing against her. Boomer slipped his tip inside her and stopped.
  Athena stared into his eyes as she felt her arousal begin to build
  again. Just when she was about to push up and pull him inside her he
  pulled away.

  He pulled her to her feet and turned off one shower spray with one
  hand and pushed her under the still running spray. Then he turned and
  lifted her. Obligingly she spread her legs and wrapped them around his
  hips as he thrust into her.

  "Oh Boomer!" Athena cried out as she finally felt him inside her.

  "Athena," he breathed as he felt himself sheathed in her tightness. He
  pressed her against the wall and began to thrust. He was losing
  himself in the feel of her. He was determined with bringing her
  pleasure again before he took his own and ignored his mounting need to
  come.

  His breathing was ragged as he continued to pound into her.

  "Boomer," Athena tried to get his attention. "Boomer," she repeated.

  "I want you on your back," she ordered when he finally focused on her.
  Breathing heavily, Boomer didn't question why and bent his knees until
  they were on the ground. He wasn't willing to pull out of her body.

  Once on the shower floor, he let himself fall back with her on top of
  him. For a micron he was blinded by the shower spray and then Athena
  was above him, diverting the water.

  They looked at each other, frozen in the moment, until at last Athena
  began to move.

  Boomer was in heaven and hell as she Athena rode him. Her body
  clenching around him as she dragged him towards his release. He
  suckled one of her breasts as he gave up on trying to control his
  release and bring her to another of her own. She wasn't leaving him
  any choice and he could see that she was determined to have it that
  way. In one last attempt, Boomer bit down on her nipple and placed his
  fingers on her clitoris.

  "Boomer!" Athena screamed and began to orgasm around him. Boomer's
  mouth let go and he cried out as he found his release with her.

  ***************************
  A few centons later, Athena gathered her strength and moved slightly
  from her position, which was to be draped all over Boomer's body.

  She looked down at him and smiled. She wasn't sure what this all
  meant, but, damn, it had been good.

  Boomer caressed her cheek and pulled her back down for a kiss.

  They were kissing passionately when they heard throat clearing.

  The pair froze and slowly turned their heads around.

  "We got a report that there was excessive water usage down here. We
  are in a state of emergency and are trying to conserve water for
  necessities," his eyes sweeped the scene before him. "Next time," the
  technician suggested dryly, "lock the door." Then he turned on his
  heels and walked out.

  "The door has a lock? Why didn't you just lock the door?" Athena
  looked at Boomer, humor and bewilderment in her face and voice.

  "You wanted my personal life to be on the IFB," Boomer said
  ironically.
  END