Altered Perceptions
by The Twin Goddess
Rated NC-17
Copyright 1999

Athena13@ixpres.com

See Chapter 1 for disclaimer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHAPTER 2

Starbuck returned to the table and was received by the 
curious stares of their companions, especially Apollo and 
Cassi.

"Where did you go?" Apollo inquired warily.

"I just went to check on my wingman," Starbuck declared 
without hesitation. "She seemed kind of upset when she left 
and I wanted to make sure she was okay."

"Hmm...," Cassi eyed him angrily. "I'm not sure that pairing 
you two was such a good idea. You spend enough time with her 
on patrol. You're supposed to spend the rest of your time 
with me, not chasing after her every time she sheds a tear."

Starbuck was taken aback by his lover's harsh statement. He 
_had_ been spending _all_ his free time with the woman and 
he was more than a little perturbed that she would imply 
otherwise. As for his concern for Athena, Cassi didn't 
understand the bond that wingmates shared and probably never 
would, but he thought Cassi had accepted the fact that he 
considered Athena family and he would always be involved in 
her life. Cassi had exhibited the same jealousy over his 
relationship with Apollo when they had been wingmates, but 
she had never been so cold about Athena before. In fact, the 
two woman seemed to have become friends.

"Number one," Starbuck started to explain, trying to keep 
his voice calm and quiet. "Athena is my wingman and I have a 
vested interest in keeping her focused. Number two, I do not 
go chasing after her whenever she's upset. And number 
three," he leaned in a bit closer and spoke a bit softer, 
turning the charm up a notch, "I do believe that I have 
spent every waking and non-waking moment with you for the 
past few sectons.

"As a matter of fact," he stated suggestively, "_you're_ the 
reason I have been so tired on patrol lately. So if 
anything, you should be grateful to Athena for keeping me 
alive while I'm dozing out there."

Cassi couldn't help but don a satisfied grin at his 
reference to her keeping him up all night. She had felt 
challenged for his attention after Athena had been assigned 
as his partner and she had been using every move in her 
repertoire to keep his mind off the beautiful brunette. She 
was pleased, finally, to discover it was working.

"As long as you're dreaming of me Starbuck," she breathed in 
his ear.

Starbuck chuckled, more at his ability to smooth out any 
situation with the feisty blond than at her innuendoes.

Apollo, for his part, didn't find the situation amusing. He 
knew that Starbuck was fond of Athena, but had never been 
confident his feelings for her were completely familial or 
if they were still laced with the residue from their 
previous relationship. And while he was glad that Starbuck 
and Athena had worked out as wingmates, he was always on the 
look out for a sign that things were getting too complicated 
between his warriors. Having those two as a couple was 
something he never wanted to endure again.

What bothered him most immediately, however, was the casual 
attitude that Starbuck was taking in regards to him and his 
wingmate's safety. If he was allowing Cassi's insecurity to 
manipulate him into losing sleep, he could be jeopardizing 
all their lives by not being alert. Apollo would not have 
tolerated such behavior when he was Starbuck's wingman and 
he certainly wasn't going to now that he was Flight 
Commander.

Apollo's bleak thoughts were interrupted by the roar of the 
crowd as Braedon's concert ended, but he made a mental note 
to have a discussion with his best friend and subordinate 
warrior before this night was over.

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

Athena and Dietra flew past the Security at the backstage 
entrance due to their recent performance on stage with the 
"star" of the evening. In a reversal from their last walk 
towards the stage, Athena was eagerly in the lead now. 
Braedon was due in his dressing room in a few centons and 
Athena wanted to be waiting for him once he broke free from 
his rabid fans. It had been so long since they had spent any 
time together to just catch up and have fun. And she was 
eager to get his perspective on how to go about this new 
life. He had always encouraged her to be more daring.

"Slow down," Dietra called out.

"We're here," Athena answered as she waited for the Security 
person outside the dressing room door to let them in. "At 
least there's some advantage to being the Commander's 
daughter,' she thought as he let them in with a minimum of 
fuss.

As usual, Braedon's accommodations were sumptuous and there 
were flowers from the Agro Ship adding a pleasurable scent 
to the air. Athena couldn't even imagine what his overnight 
rooms must look like, as she took in the soft looking 
couches and chairs, knowing they were in the up-most level 
of the ship.

"I was hoping you two would meet me back here," Braedon came 
walking into the room a few centons later.

Athena and Dietra turned around, surprised at his quick 
escape from his audience.

Athena leaned back against a table and watched him hug 
Dietra and say a few quiet words to her. Up close and 
without the glaring lights on stage, she found herself even 
more amazed by his good looks. 

For one, the smooth cut of his pants showed that his body 
hadn't suffered from a lack of exercise since the 
Destruction. If anything, he looked firmer and stronger. 
Athena felt a stirring low in her stomach as she watched the 
sweat drip down his neck and onto the top of his tank top. 
Her tongue darted out and licked her lips, and she admitted 
to an unexpected desire to lick the sweat off of her friend.

She caught her breath as she realized the direction her 
thoughts were taking. In all the years they had known each 
other, Athena had never seriously contemplated making love 
with him. She wondered how much had to do with her new 
resolve and how much with the man himself.

As he turned to greet her she realized it was definitely the 
man.

Brae wiped a towel over his brown hair and chiseled face 
before turning his attention to his sculpted body. After a 
few centons he tossed the wet towel on a chair and walked 
over to Athena. 

"Hey Athena," his green eyes smiled at her as he took her 
into his arms.

Athena felt him stiffen as she readily walked into his 
embrace and pressed her body against his. She chuckled in 
his ear, knowing that he was expecting her to back away and 
tell him she wouldn't hug him until he had visited the 
turboshower. To draw out the shock, Athnea slipped her arms 
around his back and pulled him closer. As his body settled 
into hers, she idly wished she could make that visit to the 
turboshower with him. Athena blushed, certain he could feel 
her heart pounding as he held her.

"How are you Brae?" she whispered and reluctantly slipped 
out his embrace. Over his shoulder she saw Dietra wink at 
her and motion for the door. Athena shook her head slightly 
and turned back to hear Brae's response.

"I'm great, just great. I have to admit I've missed 
performing," he looked at her curiously.

"I can understand why," Athena shrugged and looked down at 
her feet. "I kind of missed it myself." While she was 
speaking she snuck a peek at Braedon's waist and noticed 
that he too was aroused. She wondered whether it was for 
her, Dietra or performing.

Whatever the truth was, it caused an answering wetness 
between her own legs which she sought to hide by moving away 
to settle into a chair.

"Well," Braedon drawled. "I need a turbowash, then we can 
hang out and have a few drinks. Maybe we can sneak out later 
and get a game of pyramid going."

Pyramid. Not exactly what Athena was contemplating right 
then. She was beginning to scare herself. Was she that 
deprived?!

She looked back up at Braedon and could swear he winked at 
her before turning and heading for his shower.

Dietra poured some ambrosa and handed a glass to Athena. 
"So," she asked as she took a sip of her drink. "Does Brae 
play into your self-revelations?"

Athena sighed and looked at her friend. "Not really. I just 
wanted to get his advice actually. He's always, along with 
you, telling me to live a little more. Tonight I decided I 
want to. I was going to ask you two for suggestions as to 
how to go about it," Athena stared into her glass, suddenly 
sad again. It was one thing to decide to change your life, 
it was another to spontaneously know how to go about doing 
it.
 
"What?" Dietra shook her head, bemused.

"I just realized how much I _haven't_ been living. How much 
I haven't _lived_. That includes my lack of a love life," 
Athena clarified.

"And Braedon is handy," Dietra smiled at her friend.

Athena shook her head quickly. "No! I wasn't thinking that 
at all. I mean, the man is gorgeous and sexy, that isn't 
news, I just never...," Athena broke off uncertainly.

"You finally decided to stop depriving yourself of, well, 
sex. So why wouldn't you finally be able to see how 
completely yummy Braedon is, not just as a star, but as a 
good friend. One who's wanted you forever, by the way," 
Dietra informed her friend.

"You think so?" Athena asked in a surprised whisper. 

Dietra laughed. "Lords Athena, you have no idea how 
attractive that man finds you do you? I've had to endure 
many a conversation with him as to why you weren't 
interested in him. One more of those, and I'll kill you if 
you tell him I told you, was just yesterday when I told him 
we were coming to the show."

"Really?!" Athena's eyes widened and she felt a stirring low 
in her belly.

"Really! Now if you don't mind, I'm going to make myself 
scarce. You wanted to know how to make this change, this is 
how. I am not going to let you use me as an excuse to back 
out of this," Dietra put her glass down.

"Don't you want to see Brae?" Athena asked in a panic. "What 
am I going to tell him?"

Dietra stood in front of her friend and held her by the 
shoulders. "Honey," she looked her in the eyes. "If you do 
it right, you won't have to say a thing."  Then she let her 
friend go and walked out.

Athena stood stunned. She knew exactly what her friend was 
talking about. Athena closed her eyes and took a few deep 
breaths.

Dietra was right. If she wanted to really change her 
patterns of behavior she had to stay here and not back down.

But what if she did more than not back down?

Not giving herself any more time to think, Athena reached up 
with shaking hands and began to unfasten the clip behind her 
neck that held up her dress. Checking to make sure the door 
was locked she tossed her dress onto a couch and removed 
what little else she had on, dropping them as she headed 
towards the bed chamber.

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

"I'm surprised you're still here," Dietra remarked in 
passing as she returned to the table in the club. "I 
would've expected you to be the first one in the Casino once 
the concert was over."

Starbuck gave her an irked smile. "Well, that _was_ my plan 
but...," he gestured towards Cassiopeia who was talking to a 
friend a few meters away.

"She's a big girl Starbuck," she observed. "Certainly she 
doesn't need you to wait around for her?"

"That's what _I_ thought," he responded, obviously annoyed.

"Oh well," Dietra shrugged, grabbing her wrap off of the 
chair. "Guess I'll see you in the Casino," she bit back a 
laugh as she turned away.

"Hey, uh...," Starbuck burst forth. "Where's your partner in 
crime?"

"Who?" Dietra feigned ignorance. "Oh, you mean Athena?" 
While Athena might not be directing her new found desires at 
Starbuck, Dietra was certain her best friend's wingmate 
wouldn't be too pleased with the news. And after the way the 
man had treated her friend...

"Who else would I mean?" Starbuck rolled his eyes.

"Um, I'm not _exactly_ sure where she is right now," she 
said evasively. It _was_ the truth. While she had left 
Athena in Braedon's living chamber, she wasn't sure if 
Athena was still there.

"I thought I saw you two run off together," Starbuck glared 
at her, not fooled for one micron by her innocent look. He 
knew that his wingmate's friend didn't like him all that 
much.

"Oh, we went backstage to see Braedon," Dietra admitted. 
"But I left them...Braedon was taking a turboshower," she 
offered in a suggestive tone.

"She will be joining us though?" Starbuck appeared to be 
getting impatient.

"She'll be joining someone," Dietra shot Starbuck a knowing 
glance, then turned to look at Cassi and her friend, then 
looked back at Starbuck. "What do you care Starbuck? Is her 
presence truly _that_ important to you?"

Starbuck dropped his eyes briefly, but stood his ground. 
Dietra had always challenged his platonic friendship with 
Athena and he wasn't about to let her unsettle him now.

"In case you haven't noticed Dietra," he replied snidely, 
"Athena is my wingman as well as my friend. And while her 
presence isn't crucial, we did all come here together. And 
she was upset before, I merely wanted to make sure she was 
all right."

"That doesn't mean we all have to _leave_ together," Dietra 
suggested. "I believe Athena may have... other plans for the 
rest of the evening. I'm sure she's in good hands."

Starbuck eyed the dark woman closely. He had noticed the 
hint of suggestion in her voice and he couldn't help but 
associate Athena's new determination with some of what 
Dietra was apparently insinuating.

"That sounds good Porta, we'll get together soon then," they 
both heard Cassi exclaim, indicating that her presence was 
imminent.

Dietra took the fleeting moment to walk directly up to 
Starbuck and whisper, "Face it Bucko, you had your chance. 
You blew it."

No sooner had he opened his mouth to respond, then Cassi was 
linking her arm with his and Dietra was smugly sauntering 
out the door of the club. 

Hoping that his girlfriend didn't detect the tension in his 
body, Starbuck displayed his trademark smile and kissed her 
on the cheek.

"Miss me?" she purred.

"Of course," he replied with all the charm he could muster.

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

Athena was naked. 

She was standing naked in the middle of Braedon's luxurious 
bedchamber.

Alone.

And cold.

And having second thoughts.

What was she doing? Who was she trying to prove something 
to? She was happy with her life, for the most part. It was 
the "for the most part" qualifier that reminded her just why 
she was in this state. That was the whole point - she wasn't 
as happy as she could be because she had spent most of her 
life trying to fit into the roles other people assigned her. 
Becoming a full-fledged warrior was only the first step 
towards being the person she wanted to be. There was so much 
more that had been getting to her lately.

Not that she wanted to be promiscuous, but that didn't mean 
she wanted to be an Otori either. Braedon was a man she 
trusted and, in their small world, that was valuable. He was 
also someone who wouldn't get hurt or demand more than she 
wanted to give. He would, as he always did, accept her the 
way she was. And unlike her feeble plans with Starbuck, she 
wouldn't lose her heart. She had known him for yahrens and 
it had never happened.

Athena lay a hand over the aforementioned heart and felt it 
pounding in fear and anticipation.

"I'm alive," she whispered to herself.

Her confidence restored she continued forward and slipped 
into the steamy washroom. The noise of the turboshower and 
Brae's singing drowned out the sound of her entrance. 

Through the smoked glass door she stood transfixed as she 
watched Brae scrubbing his delicious body with soap. As she 
watched, he filled his hand with soap from the dispenser and 
began to spread it over his erection. Probably the very one 
she had spied just a few centons before. One she hoped she 
caused. Otherwise she was going to make a big fool of 
herself here.

Continuing to watch, arousal swept over her and her fears 
dissipated. Brae leaned back against the shower wall and 
continued to stroke himself, his hips thrusting into his 
hands at every stroke. Athena's teeth nibbled on her lower 
lip as her own breathing sped up and wetness began to pool 
between her legs. She was more turned on than she had 
imagined she would be at this moment. Or could be.

Then a moan shattered her immobility and she grabbed the 
door to the turboshower open and slipped inside. She didn't 
care who's it was, all she knew was that she had to touch 
him.
 
<><><><><><><><><><><>

Water was streaming down Athena's body and plastering her 
long, dark hair to her body as she stood in front of 
Braedon, who's eyes were still closed. She knew he had to 
know she was there, her entrance had swept a breeze of cool 
air into the stall. His nipples had hardened in response. 
Yet he didn't acknowledge her presence and, with his eyes 
closed, he continued to stroke himself. 

Athena's hands itched to reach out and help him, but like 
him she was loathe to break the spell.

Then Braedon breathed her name, sending her into a frenzy of 
passion.

She moved forward and took his erection into her hands, 
continuing the long, slow rhythm he had established. 
Braedon's eyes opened and he silently watched her as she 
began a slow worship of his swollen member. Gazing intently 
into each other's eyes, Athena smiled as his movements 
became less controlled and he began to thrust into her hands 
and against her hip. 

When she saw his eyes slip shut and heard a moan fall from 
his lips she was unable to control herself, with a cry of 
her own she slipped to her knees and took him into her 
mouth. She would do anything to instigate those sounds from 
his lips again, and again.

Athena wasn't disappointed. As she stroked him with her lips 
and tongue, what was left of his composure completely 
shattered and he came hard into her mouth. Athena's hand 
slipped around to his ass to hold him steady in her mouth, 
her own center clenching at his release. Her other hand 
reached down and began to stroke her pulsing center as his 
passion slid down her throat.

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

When Athena finally stood up, Braedon was still collapsed 
against the wall again taking in deep gulps of air. After a 
few centons he opened his eyes and trapped her with a look. 
After a centon of silent study he spoke.

"That was not how I imagined this at all," he drawled.

Athena leaned her face into the shower spray, washing out 
her mouth and pulling her hair back from her face before 
looking at him again. "So you've imagined this?" she queried 
innocently.

"What do you think?" he asked slowly, his arm slipping 
behind her back and pulling her against him.

"So what did you imagine?" she asked, a husky dare in her 
voice.

"Something more along the lines of this," he said as he 
leaned down and gently pressed his lips against hers.

The first touch of his lips against her sent sparks through 
her body, which she felt straight down to her toes. So she 
stood on those toes so she could take some more, slipping 
her arms around his neck and pressing her body against his 
so she could maintain her balance.

As their mouths continued to plunder the other's, one of 
Breadon's hands reached out and cupped one of her breasts. 
Carefully, he held its weight in his palm before slowly 
circling her nipple with his thumb.

Athena moaned as her nipple hardened and her breast swelled 
into his palm, itching for more...just more. As if he sensed 
her rising desire, Braedon slipped his mouth from hers and 
began to sensuously kissing down her neck and sternum until 
his tongue began to tease her nipple.

Athena's hair was plastered to her face and back as the 
water continued to pour over her back. Uncaring, she arched 
pressing her breast into his lips, as the water streamed 
down her face. Her hands grasped his head as he bit down on 
her tormented breast, eliciting a gasp of pleasure from her. 

Braedon's arm slipped around her waist, holding her up as 
her knees weakened and he switched his attention to her 
other breast, subjecting it to the same lavish attention as 
the other had enjoyed.

"I can see why this was more your fantasy," Athena tried to 
say over the sound of the water, unaware that her loud voice 
reverberated in the stall.

"How about this?" Braedon said against her skin as he ran 
his tongue over her abdomen and stomach, stopping as his 
face reached her curls. 

"Oh Lords," Athena moaned as his fingers began to caress her 
pleasure center. She braced her arms against the walls as he 
spread her legs and pressed his face between them. 

The sensations were amazing. The water was streaming down 
her sensitized skin as his tongue licked and probed between 
her legs. Despite her position, Athena found herself in 
danger of falling down as her legs began to shake, but 
before she could do anything about it she felt his finger 
slip inside her and his mouth begin to suck her throbbing 
clitoris. 

Moaning, Athena's hips began to buck as he slipped another 
finger inside and began to pump furiously, matching his 
thrusts with his tongue and lips. As her hands began to slip 
she felt herself begin to contract around his thrusting 
fingers. Before she could climax his fingers were removed, 
leaving her clenching muscles bereft.

And then he was there. His erection plunging inside her, 
sending her spiraling over the edge as her legs slipped 
around his waist and he pressed her back against the shower 
wall as he pounded into her. Her pleasure was just ending 
when she felt herself begin to contract around him again. 

"OH!" she exclaimed as she reached a climax for the third 
time in less than a centar.

Breathless, she leaned her head on his shoulder. "I don't 
think that has ever happened before," she rasped against his 
neck as she began to take little bites.

"You haven't felt anything yet," he moved, showing her that 
he was still hard inside her. "But how about we take this to 
a drier locale."

Athena thrust her hips and nodded.

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

Starbuck quickly relaxed as he and Cassi entered the Casino. 
The sound of cubits hitting the tables was music to his ears 
and he acutely surveyed the room for the game that would 
prove the most profitable. Spying what he concluded to be a 
table of vulnerable opponents, Starbuck began maneuvering in 
that direction, only to be stopped abruptly.

"Oh no, mister," Cassi declared, a firm grip on his arm. "No 
gambling tonight."

Starbuck looked dumbstruck. "But Cassi I...," he pleaded.

"Ah, ah, ah," she waved a lecturing finger in front of him. 
"You've taken enough money from the masses lately. Tonight 
you spend with me," she led him away from the gaming tables. 

"Besides," she continued in a more seductive tone, "if 
you're looking for a sure bet, you needn't look any further 
than right here." 

She stopped and turned him towards her, reached her hands 
around his neck and pressed her lips to his. His initial 
surprise was brief and he began teasing her with his tongue, 
wrapping his arms around her, allowing her to feel his 
arousal and believe that he was no longer interested in a 
game of Pyramid. He still could hear the cheers of those 
winning around him, but Cassi's kiss was more persuasive 
than he cared to admit. He submitted that if he couldn't get 
lucky at the tables, he would most certainly allow her to 
make it up to him.

"Take it easy you two," Apollo's voice loomed behind them. 
"This _is_ a public place."

"Oh, don't be such a prude Apollo," Sheba chimed in next to 
him.

Starbuck resisted the urge to repeat her statement, not 
wanting to spend the next few sectars checking for solium 
leaks. But he couldn't completely suppress his amusement as 
a wide grin broke across his face.

"So what's on the agenda for the rest of the evening," Sheba 
asked of the group. "A little dancing, a little Pyramid?"

"Uh, no Pyramid tonight Sheba," he reluctantly answered 
under Cassi's prodding glance. "I believe dancing and 
stimulating conversation are what my lady has in mind."

"Cassi," Sheba exclaimed, her eyes widening, "I'm impressed. 
You're finally getting him trained," she teased.

Starbuck shot a pained glance at Apollo who simply raised 
his eyebrows and looked away. While temporarily entertained 
at Starbuck's discomfort, Apollo knew that Cassi was 
fighting a losing battle if she hoped to make permanent 
changes in the captains's lifestyle. He had to admit that he 
was happy she had put a dent in Starbuck's drinking and 
gambling habits but, if what he heard earlier was true, she 
had replaced those vices with one that was proving just as 
detrimental to his warrior duties.

"Starbuck, can I speak to you for a moment?" Apollo decided 
that now was as good a time as any to speak to his friend, 
and subordinate.

Welcoming the opportunity to change the degrading subject, 
Starbuck quickly replied, "Yes, absolutely! Excuse me, my 
dear," he loosened himself from Cassi's grasp, "the Major 
wants to talk to me."

The two women just looked at each other, shook their heads 
in frustration and giggled.

Apollo led Starbuck to an area out of earshot both to Sheba 
and Cassi as well as the rest of the crowd.

"So what's up buddy?" Starbuck inquired in a cheerful tone 
that Apollo admitted annoyed him. Lately, his best friend 
had taken a casual approach to most everything, especially 
his duties as a warrior, and Apollo wondered if he needed to 
assign some more tasking duties to the brash captain to 
restore some discipline.

"What exactly are your plans for the evening Starbuck?" 
Apollo asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"Well uh..." Starbuck raised his eyebrows suggestively, "if 
you want exact details..."

"That's not what I meant," Apollo interrupted, obviously 
getting impatient. "Look, I'm concerned that you haven't 
been getting the minimum of your sleep quota recently. I 
really don't like the idea of Athena having to stay alert 
for the both of you while on patrol."

Starbuck's demeanor instantly changed and now he mirrored 
Apollo's crossed arm stance.

"Hey, I don't know what she's been telling you, but..." he 
started to argue defensively.

"Athena hasn't been telling me anything," Apollo interrupted 
again. "You know as well as I do that you could be breaking 
every rule in the book and she would never breathe a word of 
it."

Starbuck immediately regretted insinuating that Athena would 
rat him out. She had always proved loyal to him, even at the 
risk of deceiving her brother. Apollo must have overheard 
his conversation with Cassi in the club.

"I couldn't help but overhear you're little conversation 
with Cassi at the end of the concert," Apollo confirmed 
Starbuck's thought. "Perhaps you were just joking, but if I 
find out that you aren't getting enough sleep and it's 
causing you to lapse out there, you'll be spending a lot 
less time in a viper my friend."

Starbuck realized that Apollo was Strike Commander but he 
didn't appreciate being berated by his best friend while out 
on a social occasion. "What makes you think that I would 
endanger not only my own life but Athena's as well?" he 
inquired in disgust.

"I'm not saying you are doing it on purpose Starbuck," 
Apollo quickly replied, wondering if he had chosen the wrong 
time to discuss this after all. He knew that Starbuck would 
never intentionally allow his lifestyle to interfere with 
his duty, but he also knew that Starbuck had very little 
control when it came to his private life.

Relaxing his posture and placing an understanding hand on 
Starbuck's shoulder, Apollo confessed, "Look, I know that 
I'm a little overprotective of Athena...," he began.

"A _little_ overprotective?" Starbuck chimed in.

"I would think you would understand considering what 
happened with Zac," Apollo said stiffly. 

Starbuck winced at the reference, Zac had died taking _his_ 
patrol. Apollo wasn't the only one with guilt over what 
happened to Zac.

"I know, Apollo," he conceded, his tone regretful. "Hey, I 
know what it sounded like at the table, but you know I would 
never put Athena at risk," he told his friend sincerely. 
"_Especially_ after what happened to Zac. As for what I was 
saying to Cassi," he continued, lowering his voice in case 
she showed up. "You know that you sometimes have to tell 
women what you know they want to hear. She's been so bent 
out of shape about Athena being my wingmate that it's been 
an uphill battle to keep her happy lately. If I make her 
_think_ that she's occupying all my time, even in the 
cockpit, it make things a lot easier."

Apollo's tension was visibly eased. "So you've been getting 
your required rest then?" he still had to confirm.

"Yes," Starbuck assured him. "Probably more than Cassi would 
like. And I promise to be a good little boy and be in bed 
well before rest cycle begins tonight," he teased.

"From the look on Cassi's face, I don't doubt it," Apollo 
laughed as he spied the amorous grin on the blond med-tech 
waiting nearby.

Starbuck looked over at his girlfriend and acknowledged her 
charms with a smile of his own. "Yeah well, I better get 
back to her before her mood changes," he began to fidget. 
"Are we done here?"

"Yeah, we're done," Apollo replied, content that Starbuck 
was telling him the truth.

Starbuck put a reassuring arm around his friend and led him 
back to Cassi and Sheba, who had been joined by Dietra. 
Starbuck approached hesitantly, hoping Athena's friend 
wouldn't pick up their earlier conversation in front of 
Cassi. 

'Speaking of whom,' he thought as he slyly looked around the 
room to see if his wingman had entered. 'No sign of her 
yet,' he saw.

To Starbuck's relief, Apollo brought up the subject of his 
sister. "Hey Dietra, where's Athena? Wasn't this whole 
shindig her idea?"

"Oh, she's somewhere about," Dietra shrugged, not about to 
tell the woman's brother where she suspected her to be by 
now.

"Well that doesn't tell me much Dietra," Apollo prodded. "My 
sister gets us to come to this concert, then becomes a part 
of the entertainment and then she disappears," he said 
pointedly. "Please just warn me if she's leaving her post to 
become a rock star. I'll need to start looking for another 
wingman for Starbuck," he pointed to the man in question.

"And what a shame that would be," Cassi commented 
sarcastically.

Dietra sighed. While she liked Cassi a lot, she could sure 
be a real bitch at times. Even Dietra had to admit that 
while she wasn't a big fan of Starbuck's personally, she did 
respect him as a pilot and a warrior and was confident that 
he would watch Athena's back. Cassi would just have to get 
over her petty jealousy. Of course, if they all knew where 
Athena was and what Dietra hoped she was doing, Cassi would 
get over it that much quicker. Unless she decided she wanted 
Brae too.

"You're just jealous," she teased the dark-haired warrior. 
"You're afraid she might become more famous than the great 
Captain Apollo."

"That's the least of my worries," Apollo laughed, pleased 
that it appeared his sister was starting to come back out of 
her shell, even if he didn't know where she was now.

END
http://www.ixpres.com/mitiori/