Title: Altered Perceptions
Author: The Twin Goddess
Rating: NC17
Copyright: 1999
See summary and disclaimers in Chapter 1.
~~~~~~~~
Chapter 4

"Let's get out of here," Brae said as he continued to stroke Athena's hip gently.

"You mean move?" she grumbled sleepily as she pressed herself deeper into his embrace.

"Yes," Brae laughed and kissed her head. "Come with me, away from the Rising Star. You said you were on furlon for another three days. We can go somewhere private. If we stay here we'll never be able to leave the room without being spotted."

"And what's wrong with not leaving the room?" Athena whispered into his ear.

"Do you want it on the IFB that you spent three days locked up with me? They will find out you know," he reminded her, even as he pressed his pulsing erection against her stomach. He had been waiting for yahrens for this and he didn't think he would ever have his fill of her.

Athena sighed as she admitted to herself that he had a point. While she wanted to cure her loneliness, and perhaps prove that the rumors about her lack of sexual prowess were false, she didn't need to have it literally advertised throughout the Fleet.

"So how do we get out of here without being spotted and where do we go?" she asked as her eyes slipped closed in response to his not-so-subtle seduction.

"Well," Brae shuddered as Athena's hand wrapped around his penis and began stroking him. "We leave now, in the middle of the late cycle, and go to my home ship. People leave me alone there and we'll have complete privacy."

Athena's teeth dug into her bottom lip as she felt her own arousal begin to rise again. She tightened her grip on Brae and wrapped her top leg over his hips. Brae's hands slipped up her back and pressed her body against him. As her hand slid up and down his length she could feel her own wetness against her knuckles.

Brae leaned forward and captured her lips as he kissed her slowly.

Athena moaned as she brushed against her swollen clitoris. She couldn't remember ever feeling this aroused. He hadn't even touched her yet and she was close to orgasm. And they had already made love numerous times during the past cycle. Would she ever stop wanting him?

Brae slipped his hands down Athena's back and rolled onto his back, taking her with him. Once she was on top of him, he spread her thighs further apart. As he slipped his fingers over her arousal he felt her body trembling above him. Not letting go of her lips, he moved her hand off his penis and moved so that his tip was poised at her entrance. He thrust gently, not entering her just touching her enough so that he could feel her heat and her anticipatory contractions.

Athena moaned again and tried to move to take his pulsing member inside. Brae's hand prevented it. She moaned again, this time in frustration. Then Brae slipped two fingers inside her and began to move them in and out to the rhythm he knew she liked.

Athena increased the intensity of their kiss, begging him silently to plunge himself inside.

Finally he did.

Athena slipped over the edge as she felt his thickness slide inside her aching body. With a gasp she pulled her lips off of his and cried out as her body began to contract uncontrollably around his hardness.

"Brae," she whispered as he continued to rock her body over his.

"Athena, oh Athena," he moaned as he felt himself get carried away with her seemingly never ending orgasms.

"How, how do you do this to me?" Athena asked as she poised her lips over his.

"Anticipation? Great imagination? Yahrens of waiting?" Brae mumbled before slipping his tongue inside her waiting mouth.

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

Dietra was impressed despite herself. She looked around at the private gambling room Devin had escorted her to with an appreciative eye. 'This man must have some cubits,' she concluded as she eyed the rare blue bottles of ambrosa being served to the select few who were already gathered.

"I take it you've never been in here before," Devin slipped his hand under her elbow as he whispered in her ear.

Dietra fought off the shiver feeling his breath in her ear incited. "No, I haven't. Is my jaw too obviously on the ground?" she smiled charmingly at him.

"Not _too_ obviously," he chuckled and turned his attention back to the motioning host. "We can come back in here shortly. I've arranged for a private dining area," he informed her as he began to escort her towards the back of the room.

'And I bet it has a bed,' she thought to herself. She had experience with the private "dining" accommodations on this ship. As she felt the strength and confidence radiating from the attractive man walking close to her side she couldn't say she minded. No, she didn't mind at all.

Her thoughts were abruptly halted as Devin led her into a curtained area containing, well, a dining table. She looked at him in surprise.

"Is this not to your liking?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

Dietra felt heat spread across her cheeks at the knowing glint in his eyes. Unable to think of anything witty to retort, she merely shook her head and allowed him to guide her seat.

'Lords, these are even chairs,' she mused with some confusion. Somehow, though, this arrangement was turning her on more than had he brought them to the type of accommodation she had expected. She crossed her legs and fingered her empty glass as she waited for the next surprise from this...mysterious stranger.

"I've already placed an order, if you don't like anything just say so," Devin waved the host away and began to pour "blue bottle" ambrosa into their glasses.

"Believe me, I will," she couldn't help but smile at this man's preparation. They had barely met a centar ago and she couldn't remember a time when he had left her side. "So how long in advance were these plans made? Pretty certain you'd pick up someone tonight weren't you?"

"Hopeful," he raised his glass and motioned it towards her. "I'd seen you around and knew you'd be here tonight."

"You planned this for me?" Dietra asked incredulously, her glass freezing in the air before her face. "You expect me to believe that? It's either a poor line or you're a scary stalker."

"You know how to defend yourself, how about you just sit back and see how things play out," he answered with an unconcerned shrug.

Once again, Dietra was impressed despite herself. One thing was sure, this cycle wasn't going to be dull.

"Where are my manners?" Devin scolded himself as he finally took his own seat. "I don't think I told you what a nice dress it is that you're wearing."

"Thank you, Devin," Dietra purred. She wasn't sure what pleased her more. His scathing good looks or his irresistable charm. At any rate, she admitted disappointment that he was not sitting a bit closer to her.

"So, have you ever thought of becoming a professional?" Devin asked.

Dietra eyed him cautiously. "I beg your pardon? A professional what?" she responded. 'He just made a comment on the dress. Is it too revealing? He said he had seen me around and was hopeful to see me tonight. Lords, does he think I'm a socialator or something?!'

"A professional singer," he replied, stifling a chuckle at her defensiveness.

"Oh. What makes you think I'm not a professional singer?" Dietra's flirtatious demeanor returned.

"I noticed that you were sitting with some Colonial Warriors in the club. The girl you sang with is the Commander's daughter," Devin noted. "I'm no expert, but I doubt that a professional singer would socialize with the military all that much. Besides, you don't strike me as the prima-donna type."

"And what 'type' do you see me as?" Dietra feigned coyness.

Her heart lept as he reached out and gently grabbed her hand. He caressed the top of it, then turned it over and softly ran his fingers over her palm as if he were studying it. Dietra could feel the heat rising inside her. While her one hand was currently occupied, she fought the urge to reach her other hand out to the bulge in his pants that had become more obvious when they had sat down.

"I see someone who is strong and determined," Devin said as he traced a line of her palm with his finger. "Someone who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it."

'This guy's good,' Dietra thought as she struggled to keep her composure. She had come across this smooth type before, but there was something about Devin that was different.

"You see all that from a tiny line in my hand?" she asked. "And how do you know this? Are you an evil sorcerer come to cast a spell on my heart?" she eyed him seductively.

"It's just a little something my grandmother taught me," Devin replied, cleverly choosing to ignore her last comment.

"She sounds like a wise woman," Dietra remarked as she slowly started to entwine her fingers with his.

"I hope so. She raised me," he stated proudly as he gently took his hand away and leaned back into the sofa. He masterfully stifled a grin as he noted the shock and disappointment on Dietra's face.

Dietra, for her part, had immediately chastised herself for allowing her frustration to show on her face, if only for a micron. She just hoped that Devin hadn't noticed. Dietra was used to being in charge of every situation and, so far, she had unwittingly allowed him to have the upper hand. While there was something about him that was causing her to succumb, she knew she had to find a way to regain control.

"You're grandmother raised you? I take it then that your parents are... ," she trailed off.

"Dead," Devin replied flatly. "At least I assume they're dead now. The only reason I credit my grandmother for raising me is because my parents were merchants and rarely at home. I'm not positive, but I believe they were on Pisceria when the Cylons attacked. As I said, I can only assume they're dead."

"You don't sound very remorseful," Dietra noted. She could tell by his sudden change in demeanor that Devin had a dark side. Yet, instead of warning her off, it intrigued her all the more.

Realizing he had let his guard down, Devin quickly lightened his expression. "No, no, don't get me wrong," he claimed defensively. "I loved my parents. They were very nice people. It's just that I really didn't know them all that well. As I said, they were never around. I was far more devastated when my grandmother died."

Normally, Dietra would've changed the subject by now. She didn't like talking about death. While nobody really cared to talk about the Destruction, it wasn't out of the ordinary for a conversation about that night and the days following to pop up. Most of her friends knew that Dietra would not participate and, more often than not, she would get noticably irritable. Yet instead of tuning herself out of another Destruction tale, Dietra felt herself being further drawn to Devin. She wanted to know everything about him.

"So your grandmother died in the Destruction?" she leaned forward, dropping her seduction for the moment and exhibiting a more genuine mien.

"Actually, no," Devin replied.

He hesitated to continue. This was not the kind of thing he talked about when first meeting a beautiful woman. He wasn't even sure as to how they had gotten onto this topic. It was obvious that Dietra was attracted to him and he was pretty certain that he could lead her to a private room whenever he wanted. But while his initial intentions might have been carnal, he found himself becoming very comfortable with Dietra.

"We escaped from Aquaria when the Cylons attacked," he explained. "We were pretty lucky that we were in a position to leave within centons of the first wave. But, unfortunately, my grandmother weakened under the strain of watching her world destroyed. She'd become ill over the past sectars. She passed away last secton."

Dietra reached out a hand and grabbed Devin's arm. "Devin, I'm so sorry," she said with sincerity, along with a new understanding. The private room, the expensive ambrosa... it was all starting to make some sense now.

From what he had just told her, it appeared that the death of his grandmother had been a great loss. Devin had indeed been looking for company, if for no other reason, to help him deal with his grief. However, the question now on Dietra's mind was whether or not Devin's grief was genuine or if this was some warped ploy to get a woman into his bed.

"Thank you," Devin responded warmly. "But I certainly did not bring you here to listen to my sad stories. Tell me about yourself."

Dietra was becoming more confused. She was perfectly willing to buy into the "grief" routine, offer him solace and then move on. But now he wanted to get to know her? While she had to admit that getting to know _him_ a little better appealed to her, she wasn't sure how much of herself she wanted to divulge.

"I can tell you the basics," she alluded seductively. "But anything else... you'll have to explore a little further."

"Oh, I mean to do just that," Devin responded with a lustful gaze. "Believe me."

'Now we're getting somewhere,' Dietra mused with proud satisfaction.

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

"And what do you think you're doing Apollo?" Archilla put his arm protectively around Sheba's shoulder and pulled her to him.

"Sheba, may I speak with you please?" he bit out between clenched teeth.

"We were in the middle of dancing," Arch pulling Sheba closer, stopping her from speaking.

Apollo glared at the man who was dangerously close to being punched out. "Get your hands off her," he threatened.

"Why?" Arch asked.

"What?" Apollo's jaw dropped in surprise, both at the question and the fact that the other man wasn't intimidated.

"Why should I stop our dance and let her go talk with you? You were too busy to talk to her before, now she's too busy dancing with me," Arch shrugged and pulled Sheba into a smooth spin, continuing their dance, heedless of the shocked and infuriated man still standing in the middle of the dance floor.

"I don't think that was smart," Sheba whispered frantically. "What was the point of that?"

"He wants to stop you from dancing with me, but he's not ready to admit why. So he'll pull you away from me and ignore you again. I think it's about time the man's ego was a deflated a bit and he admitted he's human," Arch explained calmly.

"Oh," Sheba said thoughtfully. Her friend did have a point. Apollo had displayed jealousy before, but it hadn't ever led anywhere. She had to admit there was merit to this method. "What's he doing now?"

"He's still standing there, it's pretty funny. He's going to have to do something soon or he's going to feel really stupid," Arch assured her. "I think I'll help," he placed his hand on Sheba's chin and tilted her face up towards his. "This should do something," he mumbled as he leaned down and prepared to kiss her.

"Stop!" Apollo suddenly appeared by their side and pushed Arch away.

"Apollo!" Sheba whirled around and faced Apollo, her hands on her hips and her eyes spitting fire. "I will not tolerate this kind of violence!"

"You won't tolerate this violence? Well, how about this?" he yelled and reached out and pulled her against him. His fingers entwined in her hair and violently pulled her head back. Before Sheba could speak, Apollo's mouth covered hers and his tongue dived into her mouth.

Sheba was floating as Apollo kissed her. His anger faded almost immediately and turned to passion, his lips kissing her entire mouth, his hands changing the position of her head to meet his onslaught. Against her stomach she felt his arousal, hard and strong as she had always dreamed. Her hands slipped around his waist and she pressed more firmly against him.

They stood in the middle of the dance floor exploring each other's taste and feel, oblivious to the stares and scattered applause.

Arch took a bow as Bojay and Ezra directed their applause at him. "She owes me a drink for this," he murmured as he sat back down and enjoyed the scene.

"Not here," Apollo whispered brokenly, in between kisses.

"No, not here," Sheba breathed, her own mouth refusing to break the connection. He tasted so good, his mouth was so soft and warm, yet his lips were firm and sure. She felt like she could die satisfied just kissing him. 'I take that back,' she thought as his hips thrust against her again and again. They really had to leave before they fell to the floor and ravished each other right there on the dance floor.

Apollo felt a card pressed into his hands. Surprised, he lifted his head and saw Bojay.

"I think you two need this more than I do," he winked and began to push them out of the club.

"Thanks Bo," Sheba said automatically, not registering anything but the fact that she was about to make love to Apollo.

Once in the turbolift, Apollo pressed her against the wall and began kissing her again, his erection rubbing against her erotically. Sheba moaned as she felt her insides tighten in anticipation of him inside her.

Apollo lifted her up and she sensibly wrapped her legs around him and he easily carried her to Bojay's...their room.

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

"I feel so ridiculous," Athena chuckled as she prepared to leave the room. They had arranged it so that she would leave first and Braedon would take the next shuttle and meet her.

"Think of it as fun," he patted her on the head. "Do you remember the code to my place and how to get there?" he asked again.

"Well," she tilted her head. "What ship was it?"

"Ha, ha," Braedon got the hint. "I'll see you soon," he leaned down to kiss her.

"See you soon," she smiled at him and left.

Athena's biggest concern was not being spotted by the IFB, but by her friends. She hated to lie, but didn't feel quite up to the task of admitting where she had been or where she was going. Especially not to her brother!

Much to her relief she didn't see any of her friends before the shuttle arrived for her trip to the Argus. As she took her seat, anonymously amongst the other passengers, a smile spread across her face. This cycle was ending much differently than it had started. What was just supposed to be a short escape to see an old friend in concert had turned into a performance on-stage with the old friend and then centars of unrestrained physical pleasure with this same friend. It suddenly occurred to her that her father was probably going to hear about the performance, slipping out of sight for a couple of days was probably a great idea.

Athena leaned back and relaxed. Whatever the repercussions, she intended to enjoy herself first.

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

"I hope you had a lovely cycle," Devin said solicitously after he had escorted Dietra to the shuttle lounge.

"Um, yes, I did. Thank you," Dietra looked at the man standing so formally, still, before her. She had just been courted for over four centars and now she was being unceremoniously sent home? She had to either have imbibed too much ambrosa or she was dreaming. No man spent that much cubits and time to just, well, be a gentleman! Somehow she had a feeling she wouldn't be seeing him again. 'I wonder why he doesn't like me?'

"I hope you would consent to do this again soon," Devin raised her hand and brushed it with his lips.

"What?" Dietra asked in a rude voice.

"I said..." Devin began calmly.

"I heard what you said, I just don't understand why you said it! Is this some sort of fun for you?" Dietra put her hands on her hips.

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

Starbuck blew another puff of smoke into the cloud that hung just over his head.

His naked chest gleamed in the dark room as he sat halfway under the covers of the bed. Next to him, his lover slept in peaceful oblivion of the thoughts that were running riot in the warrior's head.

Though his body was now sated, for another day at least, something in him hungered. His appetite, however, wasn't for anything within his grasp.

With a low sigh, Starbuck blew out another puff of smoke.

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

"I can't believe you lost your sister," Adama shook his head in disbelief.

"I didn't _lose_ her," Apollo threw his arms up in frustration. "She's a big girl, I didn't know I was still expected to babysit her!"

"I won't even discuss the absurdity of that statement considering how often you interject yourself into her personal life," Adama crossed his arms. "You are, however, supposed to make sure that when you all go out for an evening together that she doesn't just disappear."

"She didn't disappear," Apollo grumbled. "She just didn't come back from the Rising Star."

"And she doesn't appear to still be on board that ship either," Adama pointed out. "Apollo, I don't mean to charge you with responsibility for your adult sister, but you know she hasn't been herself lately. The whole point of your going out with her last night was to try and cheer her up. First I find out she's on stage performing and now, she's missing and we don't know where she is. I don't want to have to call out a Fleet-wide alert for her, but I'm getting worried Apollo."

"What do you expect me to do then," Apollo dropped his head guiltily. His father was right, he was supposed to be cheering his sister up, not... whatever.

"Find her," Adama sighed. "Make sure she's all right. Someone had to see where she went. Ask her wingmate and her friends."

"Yes Sir," Apollo agreed.

"And Apollo," Adama stopped his eldest son before he exited. "I'm happy for you and Sheba."

"Thanks," Apollo blushed and sped out.

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

"What's wrong with you?" Starbuck asked as Apollo slumped down angrily into a seat in the Mess Hall.

"My sister," Apollo crossed his arms with a scowl.

"You two get into a fight?" Starbuck continued to play with the unidentifiable food on his tray.

"Not yet, but we will...as soon as I can find her," Apollo said threateningly.

"Where is she?" Starbuck asked, still unconcerned.

"That's what I was hoping you could answer for me," Apollo lay his palms on the table and leaned forward. "Apparently she never came back to the Galactica."

"Never came back..." Starbuck repeated until the words sunk in. With a surprised look on his face he looked up at his former wingmate. "What do you mean never returned. From where?"

"From the Rising Star!" Apollo barked out. "What do you think I'm talking about. She's your wingmate, did she tell you where she was going? I just got reamed out by my father because my little sister is too inconsiderate to tell _me_ where she went."

"So, did you check and see if she's still on the Rising Star?" Starbuck shrugged. "I'm her wingmate, not her keeper."

"Maybe she got lucky?" Boomer suggested as he sat down between the two warriors.

"Lucky?!" Apollo and Starbuck exclaimed simultaneously.

"Not funny Boom Boom," Starbuck glared at him.

"Why not? She can't date anyone else after experiencing the Starbuck magic?" Boomer asked with an innocent look.

"Har har," Starbuck made a face at his friend.

"I definitely don't want to hear that," Apollo covered his face. "Do you have any idea where she is?"

"Well, did you check the Rising Star?" Boomer repeated the earlier question.

"Well, unless she got _lucky_ she's not there. No one's seen her and there are no rooms in her name," Apollo sighed.

"Did you ask Dietra?" Boomer asked as he began eating.

"Dietra!" Starbuck and Apollo both exclaimed.

"And the fate of the Fleet rests in the hands of these two," Boomer shook his head and sighed.

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

"She's fine, I'm sure she's fine," Dietra said airily, her eyes not quite meeting the gaze of the two warriors glaring at her.

"What do you mean 'she's fine'?" Starbuck demanded.

"She hasn't gone off to commit suicide or anything. That is what you're afraid of," Dietra looked at Apollo accusingly. "She's been bored and lonely lately. I can promise you that last night did wonders for her. She's just spending some time, uh, with herself."

"Have you spoken with her?" Starbuck persisted.

Dietra looked at Starbuck, barely suppressed amusement on her face. How she wished she could just tell the egotistical lieutenant that his wingmate was off with another man. She'd love to watch some of the air deflate from his head, but Athena would kill her. "She's fine. If I speak to her I'll tell her to contact your father, is that acceptable? She needs this time to herself, just let her be."

Apollo and Starbuck looked at each other meaningfully for a few microns before either responded.

"Fine," Apollo bit out. "But if you have any idea she needs...just let us know how she is."

"Apollo," Dietra put her hand on her best friend's brother's arm. "She's fine. She's my best friend. If had any suspicion she wasn't all right, you know I would tell you. She deserves some privacy."

"Yeah, she does," Apollo's features relaxed into a grin as he recognized the truth in Dietra's words. If anyone else would be as concerned for his sister, it would be her best friend. "Come on Starbuck, I need to tell my Father she's all right, according to Dietra. Thanks Dee."

"She'd better be," Starbuck mumbled loudly as they left.

Dietra resisted the temptation to shoot her friend's wingmate and headed for the women's barracks' comm. Athena needed to call her father ASAP, Dee knew that Adama wouldn't rest easy on just her assurances if Athena didn't return today.

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

"So where do you think she is?" Sheba asked as she and Apollo stood in the launch bay before her patrol.

"Dietra said she's fine and needed some privacy," Apollo repeated. "That could mean anything. I guess she decided to take some time alone. The Lords know we hardly get that these days."

"Maybe she did get lucky," Sheba said mischievously.

"Athena?" Apollo said in an appalled tone. "No way. That is not her style. No, uh uh."

"Why is that idea so hard for you to believe. She is a beautiful woman, and she did date Starbuck," Sheba pointed out, unable not to play counterpoint to Apollo despite their changed relationship and the fact that she knew Athena didn't indulge in casual affairs.

"I won't even debate this," Apollo rolled his eyes, knowing that Sheba wasn't serious. "Just be careful out there, I'll worry about my sister." Apollo leaned down and planted a shy kiss on Sheba's cheek.

"Is that all I get?" Sheba teased as she gently toyed with Apollo's fingers. She looked up at him and smiled, letting him know that she didn't want to cause a scene any more than he did. "I'll be careful," Sheba fought back her instinctive rejection of the warning because she knew that there were some things Apollo would always worry about after what had happened to his brother and wife.

"Thanks," Apollo whispered in appreciation of both her assurances and her patience.

"Don't get yourself in trouble looking for Athena while I'm gone," Sheba warned.

"Me and Starbuck get into trouble?" Apollo said with mock innocence. "And who said we were going to look for her?"

"Some things are just known facts, both of those assumptions fall into that category," Sheba snorted before turning and climbing into her viper.

"You know me so well," Apollo watched her for a few microns before moving out of the way.

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

"Father," Athena tried to appear innocent and calm as she watched her father's face diffuse into an image on the comm.

"Athena!" Adama exclaimed. "We've been worried sick. Dietra said you were all right, but I was still worried. I still am."

"I'm sorry Father," Athena said sincerely. "I didn't think, well, much at all. I didn't mean to worry you. I really am fine. I'm just taking the rest of my furlon to relax away from the Galactica," Athena fervently hoped her father wouldn't question her too much. She didn't want to tell him she was spending the next few days making mad passionate love to a man she wasn't getting sealed to, but neither did she want to lie to him.

"Are you sure you're all right?" Adama asked gently. "It's not like you to be so irresponsible."

"I'm fine, I really am," Athena smiled, an expression that felt more genuine than any version she had presented over the past few sectars.

It seemed to ease Adama's mind.

"If you need anything, please call," Adama said. "You do look more relaxed than I've seen in a long time. I love you."

"I love you too Father," Athena's smile broadened. "I'll see you in a few days." Athena quickly cut the connection before her father could ask where he could reach her. Although she knew Adama could easily find out where the transmission originated, she had faith that he would respect her privacy.

"Everything settled?" Braedon came walking back into the room.

"Yeah, all settled," Athena turned and slipped into his waiting embrace.

"Well, not completely settled," she said meaningfully as she brought her lips close to his.

END Chapter 4

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