Title: The Lullaby
Author: Cassie Kirk

Warnings: None
Disclaimer: THEY'RE MINE! ALL MINE!!!! <insert maniacal laughter here> 
Well...I wish they were mine anyway.


The Lullaby
     by Cassie Kirk

Athena glanced at the chronometer near her terminal and sighed. Ten centons 
before her shift ended. She stretched a little in her seat. It felt like she 
had been at her console for a secton. Unless there were any problems, and 
she didn't anticipate any, it was going to be a very long ten centons.
     She had finished everything she needed to get done, and all she was 
doing was waiting for the next person on duty to show up. She let her 
thoughts wander a bit, but Tigh's voice snapped her back to reality.
     "Lieutenant Athena, Commander Adama wishes to see you in his office."
     Beside her Omega nudged her and whispered, "Oooh, Athena, you're in 
trouble…"
     Athena shot him a withering look before turning back to Tigh. "Is there 
anything wrong, Colonel?"
     Tigh smiled. "No, nothing is wrong, but, it is important that your 
father speaks to you."
     "Yes, sir, of course." Athena stood up and made her way to Adama's 
office. She could feel everyone's eyes on her retreating back.
     Once inside, she noticed Giles standing beside the desk. "Giles! What 
are you doing in here? I thought my father wanted to speak to me privately."
     Before Giles could respond, Adama emerged from an adjoining room. "What 
I have to tell you involves Giles, too." Adama smiled at his daughter. 
"Please, Athena, sit down. You too, Giles."
     Adama sat down on the desk in front of the two officers. "Athena, how 
would you like to be taken off bridge duty?" Adama asked.
     "Taken off bridge duty? Why? I'm not qualified for anything else." 
Athena was confused.
     "You are qualified to fly a Viper. And, if you like, I can switch you 
to flight status."
     Completely forgetting there was someone watching, Athena jumped up and 
threw her arms around her father's neck in a giant hug. "Are you sure? You 
aren't going to change your mind are you?"
     "I won't change my mind. I should have made you a pilot long before 
now. I was thinking more as a father, not a commander. After Zac…I was just 
too nervous at having both my children out on patrol again. Apollo had been 
flying longer, where you had only flown for a few sectons before being 
transferred to the Bridge. You are more than qualified to go out on patrol. 
Your practice scores are excellent, and Starbuck even commented at how well 
you flew when you were briefly his wingman."
     Athena pulled back to look at her father. "He said that?"
     "Yes, he did."
    Giles sneezed just then, causing Athena's head to turn in his direction.
    "I'm sorry, Giles. I almost forgot you were here," Athena said. She 
turned back to Adama. "You said what you had to tell me involves Giles."
     Adama nodded. "I've asked Giles to be your wingman. I know the two of 
you were friends at the Academy. I thought it might help you feel more 
comfortable while on patrol. And, Giles, you haven't liked any of your 
assigned wingmen since Darshan. I was hoping that your friendship with 
Athena would make you more likely to work better with her."
     Giles lowered his eyes. It was still painful remembering his lost 
wingman. "Yes, sir."
     Adama cleared his throat. "I'm sure you two are anxious to get out of 
here and go to Apollo and Sheba's engagement party."
     Athena smiled. "I need to go freshen up, but, I'm going. Will you be 
coming later?"
     "Yes," Adama replied.
     Athena turned to Giles. "Are you going to go?"
     Giles forced a small smile. "Wouldn't miss it."
     Athena placed a comforting hand on Giles' arm. She knew how close he 
and Darshan had been.  Giles turned toward her and smiled a little more 
sincerely. He held out his hand to her.
     "May I walk you back to your quarters so you can get ready?"
     Athena smiled at him as she took his offered hand. "That would be 
nice." She turned toward her father. "I'll see you later, Father. And, thank 
you."
     "You're welcome."
     Athena turned, and she and Giles walked together. Slowly and silently, 
they made their way to Athena's quarters. When they arrived, Athena broke 
the silence.
     "Giles, I know I'll never replace Darshan, but I'll try to be a good 
wingman to you."
     "I know you will, Athena. I'm glad you're going to be my wingman. The 
Devious Duo is together again."
     Athena laughed. "I'd almost forgotten about that!"
    Giles laughed with her. "How could you have forgotten that we managed to 
pull off the biggest prank in the history of the Academy and didn't get 
caught?"