~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MAD ABOUT STARBUCK - Episode 2

Okay, so Rey and I thought that that was the end of it.
We'd amazed the
other women cadets by actually pulling off our bet - at
least to be able to
actually spent time with Starbuck.  No one, but no one,
except for the three
of us knew - or would ever learn - the truth about what had
happened on the
_Rising Star_ that evening.  As far as I was concerned,
those kisses were
our very dear and special secret.  As far as our fellow
cadets were
concerned, we had, yes, played Pyramid with our illustrious
Squadron Leader,
had helped to save the ship by extinguishing the fires and
patching the
tylium leaks, and had rescued the lieutenant.  That much was
common
knowledge - and was being broadcast throughout the Fleet
over the IFB.

Of course, our squadron mates continued to tease us - about
having been with
the Great Lieutenant and getting stuck putting out fires -
but there was a
new level of respect to their teasing.  A bit of jealousy
mixed with
admiration.  And no one teased us about all of our studying
anymore.

The next day, we had a tactical class and a simulator run.
That was our
first chance to see Starbuck since watching him being
whisked away on the
gurney at the hands of that obviously disapproving med tech.
Except for the
small bandage that he wore on his forehead, he looked fine
and was his usual
jovial, joking, but still professional self.  As a teacher
he was great.  He
made many satirical comments and wise cracks at the expense
of either
himself , the other warriors, or his superiors, but never
crossed the line
between instructor and student.  While some of the women
cadets shamelessly,
at times, tried to flirt with him, he always ignored them,
and he remained
the unflappable professional, occasionally even looking
amused by some of
the more blatant efforts.

There were, in fact, two women - Shyra and Nikki -- that, in
our opinion,
should have been tossed from the program long ago for some
of the comments
they made.  Had the Fleet not been desperately short on
pilots, I'm sure
they would have been, too.  Unfortunately, they were
actually good at
everything except their manners and understanding of
"professional
 demeanor."  And Starbuck, who was too nice to bother
reporting their
remarks, choose to ignore them and continue.  Usually, one
or the other
would raise her hand to answer a straight-forward tactical
question, but
then add some totally inappropriate comment.  Starbuck would
pause, sigh
slightly, then continue as if nothing had happened.  The
rest of us would
glare at the offending cadet.  But because of those two,
Starbuck seemed
especially careful about doing anything that remotely
resembled
"fraternizing" while in the role of instructor.

Thus, we were vastly surprised when, as we moved from the
tactical class to
the simulators, Starbuck stopped us in the hallway.  He
handed Reyana and me
each a pass - a pass to the OC! -- and said, simply, "I have
permission.
2000 tonight, okay?"

"Roger, we'll be there!"  replied Reyana crisply, as I
fumbled for words but
couldn't get my tongue to work.

We continued on to the simulators as if nothing had
happened.  We couldn't
miss, however, the sidelong glances we received from Shyra
and Nikki.  And
Reyana, so help me, had to go and stick out her tongue at
them when our
instructor wasn't looking!

After that, it was strictly business.  Our assignment was to
practice
maneuvers that we would be using on a real training mission
the next day -
flying real vipers on a real scouting mission to a real (but
already scanned
by the _Galactica_) planet to do real short-range scans!
Our squadron had
flown several practice flights to master launches and
landings; now, it was
time to advance.  So tomorrow, our Fearless Leader would be
leading his
squadron of 8 cadets on their first actual mission . .
Woohoo!!

I thought the day would never end.  2000 seemed weeks away.
I truly had not
expected any further interactions between Starbuck and us,
other than our
standard instructor/cadet role.   In my mind it had been a
wonderful
experience, priceless, but a one-time deal.  Back to
business as it had been
and probably should be.  After all, the lieutenant was a
veteran pilot, our
instructor, and at least 10 yahrens older than we were.
Inappropriate all
the way around.  I mean, "fraternizing" with members of your
own squadron
was one thing, given our emergency conditions; this just
crossed too many
boundaries that probably shouldn't be crossed.  That's what
my left brain,
the logical and rational side, told me.  My right brain,
however, sent my
heart fluttering, remembering that kiss and lamenting that
almost-kiss,
every time I looked at the lieutenant.  Once just wasn't
enough.  My right
brain was ready to say "Frak the boundaries."  I had fallen
totally,
helpless 100% under the Starbuck charm.

So, as Reyana and I paused to show our passes at the door to
the O.C. that
evening, my heart was pounding in my chest, my feet ready to
run the other
way, and my right brain screaming, "More, more, more!"  I
was a wreck, in
other words.  I wondered how Reyana was feeling?

*****

I was pretty nervous about the idea of going to the
Officers Club with Starbuck.  I mean, I was nervous
just to be in the place surrounded by all those highly
skilled pilots.  I don't think I could ever be as good
as half of them no matter how many centaurs I studied,
or simulations I ran.  I knew I was out of my league.
And to be there with Starbuck, well, that was even
more daunting.

But there was no way I was going to let Aliana know
that.  I was afraid if she knew just how shaky I was
about the whole thing, she would just back out and
we'd miss the opportunity to mingle with the pilots.
And we'd miss our opportunity to be with Starbuck.  I
knew the time on the Rising Star was a once in a life
time thing.  Maybe because of that knowledge I
certainly wasn't going to turn down any chance to be
near Starbuck, even if it meant pulling extra duty or
taking long patrols.  Whatever it took to get close to
him I would do.  I guess you could say I was under his
spell.

I knew our fellow cadets were just waiting for a
chance to give Aliana and I a good ribbing about the
whole Rising Star incident, and I loved how flashing
those passes to the Officers club just shut them right
up!  It was worth it, this feeling like I was going to
be sick, just to shut them up!

I wish I could say that the evening was a total
thrill, but to be quite honest, in some ways it was
kind of boring.  Starbuck was already there and waved
us over to a table which was very much out of the way.
 He was there alone, and had our drinks waiting for
us.  I guess I wanted to interact more with the other
pilots, to get in on a good discussion of piloting
techniques, or Cylon strategy.  But instead, everyone
seemed to be just hanging out having a drink and
shooting the breeze.  I swear I even heard one group
discussing how they were going to decorate the new
quarters they had been assigned, and another group was
discussing where to find the best civilian clothes.
It was like a bunch of old women sitting around at a
sewing bee.  Not at all what I expected for the
infamous Officers Club.

Starbuck appeared as suave as ever, helping both of us
into our seats.  It only took a milicenton for me to
realize that he had an agenda to this little meeting.
He pulled out a deck of pyramid cards and began firing
off questions about the different systems and
strategies we had researched to beat him at pyramid.
I'll give Starbuck credit though, it had the right
effect.  Aliana went immediately from shy and
intimidated, to talkative and animated as she outlined
each system and strategy.  Boy did she have a head for
figures as she laid out the various odds and ratios
for each system we had researched.  Starbuck listened
attentively, silently nodding as he soaked up the
information.  His eyes looked almost dreamy and I
thought to myself that maybe Aliana had him under HER
spell.

Starbuck didn't miss an opportunity to compliment me
on my card playing skills.  He even offered me a puff
on one of his fumarellos.  Aliana shot me a look, but
I couldn't help but to share a smoke with him.  You
know, they smell better than they taste, and Starbuck
had a good time laughing at the faces I made with each
puff.

It appeared that the evening was winding down and we
had only been in the club for about a Centaur.
Starbuck was a perfect gentleman and began to thank us
for joining him and showing him how we had
*Starbucked* him.  I knew it was our cue to say
something nice, or witty, and then to leave.  Then
that would be that, the end to what could have been.

For some reason, I just couldn't let it go.  Maybe it
was the dreamy look on Aliana's face, maybe it was the
longing I knew I had within myself, maybe it was the
too polite routine Starbuck was pulling, but I
couldn't help myself.

As Starbuck gave us our cue to end the evening by
saying, "Well, this has been fun."  I interrupted him.
 I leaned in close, locked my eyes on his and said,
"So why don't we all go over to the Rising Star again
some time, and play out that system again.  Maybe this
time you could win and then we'd owe you a dinner
alone."

Aliana didn't miss a beat as she took Starbuck's hand
in hers and said, "It's a system that just can't
lose."

Starbuck swallowed, scanned the room quickly to see
who might be watching us, then answered so softly I
barely heard him, but I did hear him, "That's a bet
I'd like to make.  I think that system could work."
He then said louder, "Ladies, I hate to have such a
delightful evening end, but we do have training
tomorrow.  Let me escort you back to quarters."

We took our cue and stood to leave, Starbuck being the
gentleman and taking each of us by the arm to escort
us to the door.  He was enjoying himself, the stares
he was getting from the other pilots as he walked us
to the door.  He smiled at each of us a winning smile
that melted my heart, and for a moment we basked in
his happiness.

And then she walked into the room, and Starbuck's
smile fell faster than a downed raider.  The blonde
med tech that had whisked him away in the landing bay
flashed Starbuck a rather wicked smile.

"So Starbuck, why don't you introduce me to your two
Cadets?  That is so nice of you to offer them a drink
for saving you from such a nasty injury.  Why without
them, you might have actually had a headache."  She
said sarcastically.

"Now Cassie, you know it was more than that.  Why,
these two ladies saved the Rising Star from certain
disaster.  I certainly owed them a drink for their
daring heroics.  Aliana, Reyana, I'd like you to meet
Med Tech Cassiopea."

The tension was too much for me.  I caught on right
away that somehow this med tech was more to Starbuck
than just someone who treated his injuries on
occasion.  The jealousy inside me flared.  But I
didn't know what to do at that moment without causing
a scene.  Lords bless Aliana, but sometimes she does
think quicker than I do.  She said something that I'm
sure was proper and polite, then got us the out of
there.

I let her drag me as far as around the first corner
outside the club before I finally found my voice.  And
what I said wasn't smart or rationale.  What I
suggested was probably very stupid, but I wanted to
know what was going on.  I wanted to see just how
Starbuck handled himself with this woman.  I suggested
we sneak back into the club and watch the scene.

I expected an argument from Aliana.  I expected her to
be her usual smart and logical self and to talk me out
of it.  But instead, Aliana didn't say a word.  She
shot me a very knowing look, and then quickly reversed
her direction and headed back towards the club.

We rounded the corner to the club and there they were.
 We didn't have to spy, their voices were loud enough
for all to hear.

********
Starbuck had been amazed that he had actually gotten
Cassie to agree to step outside of the Officers Club
before she let him have it.  He was pretty convinced
that she had planned to lay into him in front of all
his buddies, but she also recognized the hint of a
threat from Starbuck when he suggested that they had
better have this conversation in private, "Or else!"
At least Cassie had the decency to realize that this
was Starbuck's turf, where he went to avoid stress.
But she didn't wait much longer than the doorway to
begin to vent her anger.

"Starbuck, just what do you think you're doing?
Playing me and Athena off each other is one thing, but
this is something different! This is too much!
Besides, they are so young. You are going to end up
hurting them. Athena and I are big girls, we knew what
we were getting into."

"I'm not hurting anyone. Heck, this was their idea!"
Starbuck said defensively.

"You just don't get it Starbuck."  Cassie said
exasperated.

"No, I think that's what has you so upset, I am
getting *it*!"  Starbuck yelled.

They both glared at each other, and Starbuck realized
that he had crossed the line.  He took a breath before
he went on, "Look Cassie, things aren't the same as
they used to be.  Everything is different since we
lost the colonies, I mean everything.  So who says our
relationships have to stay the same?  If they don't
have a problem with it, then I don't have a problem
with it."

"Well I have a problem with it!"

"Fine."  Starbuck said evenly, without a trace of
anger.  "No one says you have to like it, or even deal
with it.  You're the one who always is saying 'no
commitments'."

"I'm the one saying 'no commitments'?  You're the one
who always said that!"  Cassie said, now yelling.

Starbuck replied quietly, "No, I never *said* that.
You just assumed that."  Cassie glared at him, but did
not respond.  Starbuck knew he had her.  He had so
avoided any conversation about commitment that they
hadn't even discussed their lack of one.  He waited a
few more moments for Cassie to get her anger in
control as she also realized the truth of his
statement.

"Besides,"  Starbuck added, taking a step back and out
of firing range, "I don't think I'd have a problem
committing to the right situation.  If I recall on
Gemon there were many sects where men took several
wives, and everyone was pretty happy with the
situation."

"Starbuck you're not Gemonese!"  She yelled.

"Maybe I am?  I am an orphan after all.  Who knows
where I came from?  I'm not Caprican anymore, there is
no Caprica now.  Maybe we need to make up new rules
and new relationships."  Starbuck said wistfully.

"Well you can hold your little meetings for your new
rules without me!"  Cassie turned and stalked off.

"Uh, I kind of thought I was."  Starbuck added lamely
to her retreating back.

Starbuck watched her retreat down the corridor and
wondered what he should do now.  There was no point in
going back into the club.  There would be way too many
people asking way too many questions that he just
didn't know how to answer.

"Frack, why does this have to be so complicated."  He
said to himself, and turned to walk back to the
barracks.

*****

I barely slept that night.  Between the upcoming practice
mission the next
morning and the conversation that Reyana and I had
overheard, my mind was
way too preoccupied to be able to relax.  It was the latter,
mostly, that
kept running through my head, and the thought that,
incredibly,
inconceivably . . . we had a chance.  A chance to possibly,
maybe, someday .
. . turn fantasy into reality.  The words kept repeating in
my mind: "If
they don't have a problem with it, then I don't have a
problem with it."

In the morning our cadet squadron would be "exploring" our
first planet,
doing surveys and such, assessing our first new world. . .
it looked like
Reyana and I might get to explore "strange, new worlds" in
more ways than
one.  And I amazed myself, because I would never, ever have
considered an
arrangement like this before . . . before we'd lost
everything.  Having your
homeworld destroyed can change a person's perspective,
though.  Before, I
was the kind of girl who wanted to find that one "perfect"
person, get
sealed, and build a long and lasting relationship, where two
people bond and
grow together, create a family, and are committed totally to
one another.

Until this little game with Starbuck, I had not realized
just how much the
Holocaust had changed my perspective.  With the future so
much in doubt, I
saw that I did not want any serious *commitments,* as in
getting sealed.
Now, it seemed more important to grasp hold of what positive
things the
Fates presented us and make the most of each moment, day by
day.  The future
. . .?  I seldom let my mind go there.  It was just too
uncertain.

So if Lieutenant Starbuck was ready to adventure into the
realm of different
possibilities, I was ready to accept this exciting new
adventure!  Seize the
moment, because who knew what the future would bring for us.
A shining new
planet called Earth?  Or total extermination through either
the Cylons or
even eventual starvation?

Enough!  Too depressing!  But that's why I found myself so
willing and ready
to defy the old expectations about relationships and just
see where this
might take us.

*********
At 0700, Reyana and I found ourselves seated in the cockpits
of our vipers,
awaiting permission to launch.  We had performed all pre-
launch checks and
were ready.  Yes, ready . . . as ready as we could be,
considering that this
was our first true mission, where we did more than just
launch, fly a few
maneuvers, then land.  We were responsible for taking
detailed scans of the
one planet in the nearby system that might be life-
supporting.  True, the
_Galactica_ had already performed enough scans to deem it a
safe training
ground; although,  we all knew that there were no guarantees
out in these
vast, uncharted regions of space.

Still, our mission was as safe as it could be.  The star,
Omicron Nu, had
eleven planets, but only the fourth one might remotely
support any kind of
(known) life form.  Preliminary scans from the _Galactica_,
however, had
revealed no indications of intelligent life.  Our assignment
was to confirm
that reading and to determine if the planet had any
resources that the Fleet
could use.  With the eight of us each assigned a different
set of scans to
perform, the entire mission would take only about three
centars.  While
Reyana and I and six other cadets were designated Yellow
Squadron for our
training assignments, in this case, we would actually divide
into two
groups.  Given our inexperience, Lieutenant Boomer,
instructor for Green
Squadron, would be assisting and would monitor one of the
groups.  The
bonus, though, was that it permitted us to spread out and
perform a greater
range of planetary scans.

"Everyone understand their mission?"  Starbuck's voice
sounded through our
comlinks.

"Roger," I answered, as did everyone else.  Yes, I was
ready.  The scans
were simple procedures.  I felt confident now in my
abilities to handle a
viper; I was even beginning to enjoy the thrill of the high
velocity
launches that catapulted the ship out into the freedom of
space.  Reyana and
I, along with cadets Jorden and Cesar, would be flying with
Starbuck once we
reached the planet.  Shyra and Nikki, much to their chagrin,
were with
cadets Edward and Ramius in Lt. Boomer's group.  I don't
know exactly how we
were divided - whether it had been random or the two
lieutenants had sat
around discussing who deserved whom - but Reyana and I were
quite thrilled
to be flying with our Fearless Leader, and *not* with Shyra
and Nikki.

"Core command transferring control to vipers.  Launch when
ready."

That was our cue.  With a deep breath, I thumbed the
thruster button.  The
sudden acceleration pushed me back into my seat; we were
off.  Within three
centons we were all tucked into the correct formation, more
or less, with
Starbuck in the lead and Boomer at the rear.  Thus, while
Starbuck flew
ahead to verify that the system was still secure, we got to
listen to
Lieutenant Boomer attempt to keep us all grouped properly.

"Jorden, you're too close.  Back off a few metrons."  A
pause.  "Edward,
hold 'er steady."  Another pause.  "Shyra, you're drifting
out."  And so on.

After about a centar, we were nearing the planet and were
rejoined by
Lieutenant Starbuck.

"Looks calm and quiet," he reported.  "Okay, Squad B form on
Boomer.  You'll
handle the northern hemisphere.  Squad A form on me.  We've
got the
southern.  Let's proceed!"  With that Starbuck rolled to the
left and Boomer
to the right.  With a fair amount of grace, the eight of us
followed suit
and regrouped with our leader.

For Reyana and I, our first set of scans took ten centons
and confirmed
that, for our assigned quadrant, there was no evidence of
habitation by
intelligent life, even though the planet had a breathable
atmosphere.  Next,
we would fly at increasingly lower levels, eventually
penetrating the cloud
cover and skimming the surface, to obtain as many details
about the planet's
compostion as possible.  With luck, we would find resources
to help
replenish those of the Fleet.

As the four of us surveyed our specific sector of the
planet, Lieutenant
Starbuck hung back and basically just watched, evaluating
our flying skills
and answering any questions we might have.  It was by luck -
or lack
thereof - that I would be the first of either group to
penetrate the planet'
s exosphere.  Up to that point, my readings had shown
nothing of much
relevance.  In fact, as I studied the figures and
descriptions that scrolled
across my screen, something seemed slightly . . . off.   It
was just a
feeling, nothing that I could pinpoint, yet.  And it
certainly didn't
prepare me for what happened the moment my ship broke into
the outer
atmosphere.

Without warning, every system in my viper went crazy.  The
comline exploded
with static, my panel blinked frantically, but worse - much,
much worse - my
engines sputtered and died.

I learned later that I was hit by a series of
electromagnetic pulses that
created some kind of shield throughout the atmosphere.  I
also learned that
Reyana, who was microns behind me, somehow reacted quickly
enough and was
able to pull up sharply, escaping the worst of the
electronic mayhem.   She
still had communications and a few more functioning systems.
Thus, she was
able to pinpoint the coordinates of the pulses.  On top of
the situation
almost instantly, Starbuck issued an immediate recall order
- all cadets
were to form on Boomer pull out until he could assess the
situation.
Operating blindly, since scanner readings obviously didn't
match what was
actually on the planet's surface, he then targeted the
coordinates of the
electromagnetic pulses and let loose with his lasers.  He
must have hit
something because the pulses stopped.

All this I learned later, though.  At the time, I was trying
desperately not
to panic as I worked frantically to restart my engines.  The
static was so
deafening that I had to shut down the comline.  In the
sudden quiet, broken
only by my gasping breaths and the pounding of my heart, I
was better able
to focus on all of the emergency procedures on which we had
been drilled and
drilled.   Nothing.  Nothing.  The panic was increasing, my
hands beginning
to shake.  The viper was losing speed and altitude and would
soon start
spiriling towards the surface of the planet.  I gulped and
swallowed hard.
I swore and prayed and banged the panel.  Nothing.

Then the screen stopped flashing erratically.  I retried the
basic
procedures.   The engines sputtered and sparked, sputtered
some more.  Then
the starboard and port engines both went dead again, leaving
only the third
one operational.  It would have to do, because I was losing
altitude now
much too quickly.

"Oh, frak, oh, frak, oh, frak,"  I muttered as I tried to
regain control and
level the ship off.  Stabilizers weren't working.  The one
engine didn't
have enough power to break my descent completely.  I got the
nose up and on
an even keel, but I was going down.  Down.  One way or
another.

"May day!  May day!"  I started screaming into the comlink -
until I
remembered that I had switched it off.  I jabbed the button.
"Frak, I'm
going down!"  I screamed, not knowing if the line were even
operational.

"Try to hold her steady!  Keep the nose up!" came Starbuck's
voice.

I broke through the cloud cover.    Below, approaching
rapidly - too
rapidly - was what seemed to be a wide, grassy plain.  Oh,
thank the Lords
of Kobol for that!  "Oh, frak, oh frak, oh frak . . ."  I
had stopped
listening to the instructions - the actual words -- that
Lieutenant Starbuck
continued to give, but the firm, yet calm, tone of his voice
eased my panic
enough for me to concentrate on bringing the ship down in
one piece.

With what seemed like a sudden rush, the viper hit the
ground, bounced up,
hit again.  I hit the reverse thrusters . . . what little I
had.  The ship
bounced and skidded across the grassy plain.  Then hit - who
knows what -
and flipped over.  The world started spinning wildly and I
was slammed in
all directions, screaming madly, I think, until everything
went black . . .

**********

The mission started off easy.  I'm always amazed at
how flying an actual viper is really not that
difficult compared to all the simulations and
scenarios.  Once you get launched, it's just a matter
of keeping the thrust at the right level, watching
your angle, and well, you can just feel what is right
and what is wrong.  Kind of like sailing a boat on the
sea.  It can look difficult with all the rigging,
pulleys and sails, but once you get out on the water,
it all comes easy.

So I was having a good time on the mission, getting
the feel of my viper.  The scans were interesting.  It
was like solving a puzzle that was all about the
planet.  As the information rolled in it was
exhilarating to realize that the planet could be
useful to the fleet.  It felt great knowing that even
though it was a training mission, we were still making
a difference.  The resources found on the planet,
tylium, metals, plants and animals, would make life
better in the fleet.  It was more than we had hoped.

I had actually relaxed and forgot for a moment that it
was a mission where my instructors were grading my
performance.  I relaxed and just let the viper fly
itself.

That's when it all went to hades.  Aliana and I were
headed in for a closer look, Aliana in the lead.  Just
as she entered the exosphere, every screen, light,
gauge and dial in my Viper jumped.  It was blinding as
all my alarms lit up and instinctively I pulled the
stick up, nosing my craft out of the atmosphere.  My
com gave a sharp burst of static nearly deafening me.
Then all my instruments went dead for a heart stopping
moment.  I started to panic and began flipping
switches and pushing buttons when just as mysteriously
some of my systems came back on, functioning normally
as if nothing had happened.  I didn't have time to
figure out what systems were dead.  I shot past Aliana
and saw that her engines were dead.  She was rapidly
dropping into the atmosphere.

"Whoa, Starbuck, We've got a problem here!"  I
panicked.  It felt like my voice came out in slow
motion.  I was told later that I was actually talking
so fast that I was barely understood.  "Aliana's
engines are dead!"

"I see that.  I'm on it."  Starbuck replied as if he
was distracted.

I quickly scanned my instruments and saw that I still
had scanners and communications, but my fuel gauges,
engine thrust levels and naviagation were dead.  I
pulled on the stick and got a response in the right
direction, but my craft responded slowly.  As soon as
I released the stick, the nose of the viper dipped
back down towards the surface.  I realized I was being
pulled in, but not nearly as quickly as Aliana.  She
was dropping towards the surface like a rock.

"Starbuck, she's going down!!"  I yelled into the com.

"I see it.  What's your status?"

"Do something!!"

"Reyana, calm down!  Do you have power and control?"
Starbuck was firm, but calm.

I took a deep breath before answering, trying not to
panic.  "Yes, but it's sluggish.  I think I can pull
away from the planet, but I don't have navigation."
Just then my scanner started flashing an alarm.
"Starbuck, my scanner says that there's something on
the planet that's transmitting!"

Then suddenly my scanner went dead and my engines
sputtered.  "Starbuck, whatever is transmitting just
knocked out my scanner and is effecting my engines!"

"Where was it located?"

"Uh.southern hemisphere, near the pole I think."

"I see it."  Starbuck pulled up near me and began
firing off a volley of laser fire in the direction of
the transmission.  On the planet there was a flash of
explosion, and I could see debris flying.

"Okay, that problem is solved.  All vipers, return to
the Galactica."  Starbuck ordered.

"I should stay behind, looks like you need some help
Starbuck."  Boomer replied.

"No I got it.  You need to get back with the cadets
and report our findings.  Send out a shuttle as soon
as you can, it looks like we're going to need a
pickup."  Starbuck answered.

"Maybe I should stay behind until she's down."  Boomer
countered.

"Would you quit debating and do something!"  I yelled
at the two, not bothering to consider their ranks or
that I might be out of line.

Just then the comline exploded with static and
Aliana's voice came through shrill and frightened.  I
know I'll have nightmares about her voice screaming
over my com. "Frak, I'm going down!"

"Try to hold her steady!  Keep the nose up!" came
Starbuck's voice.

"I can't!  It won't respond!  I'm going down!"  Aliana
screamed again.

I pulled on the stick and started manuvering my Viper
towards Aliana's coordinates.  It was like flying
through wet cement, taking forever to complete the
simple right turn.  My engines kept sputtering and
without my gauges I couldn't tell what was wrong.  I
didn't want to risk a restart without all my
instruments for fear I'd wind up in the same position
as Aliana, crash landing with no power.

Starbuck's voice continued to come over the com as he
ran through the procedures for a crash landing.  He
calmly told her what switches to try and how to use
her one engine to try to level herself out.  I'm not
sure she heard a word he said because she was no
longer transmitting.  I held my breath and watched as
she dropped towards the surface.

"Good, she's landing somewhere level."  Starbuck
whispered in the com.  "Lords please let it be soft
too."

At the last minute we saw that she was able to get the
nose of her viper up, and she skidded across the
valley floor like a stone on a lake, bouncing once,
twice, a third time before we saw a large plume of
rocks and dust.

"Is she okay?"  I whispered afraid of what the answer
might be.

"Hard to tell from here.  Boomer, I'm going down to
check on Cadet Aliana.  You head on back to the
Galactica and send us back a rescue.  Reyana, you head
back with Lt. Boomer."  Starbuck said.

I tried to pull up my viper, really I did try.  I know
everyone thought that I headed down toward the surface
because Aliana is my best friend, but believe me, I
was ready to head back for home.  I was convinced that
I had lost her.  The last thing I wanted to do was to
go down and check out how mangled she and her viper
were.  I couldn't face the thought of losing her.  She
was like family, the only family I had now.  I just
wanted to head back with Lt. Boomer and the rest of
the cadets and pretend that nothing had happened.

But my viper wouldn't go up.  Oh it was happy to go
down, and with a little nudging would go left or go
right, but not up.

"Cadet Reyana, did you hear my order?"  Starbuck asked
in a stern voice.

"Uh, yes sir, but I don't think my viper heard your
order.  I can't get my nose up.  I can manuver
slightly, but I'm headed down too."

"It looks like one of your engines is out.  Are your
systems still out?"

"Yeah, too many out.  Maybe I should just tell you
what I have on.  It would be quicker."

"Okay Boomer, make that a rescue shuttle for three."

"Okay Bucko, be back in a flash.  Do you need me to
hang out till you're down?"

"Naw, I think we'll be okay, you still have power,
right Cadet?"

"Yeah, I think I can land okay, I just can't break
free is all."  I replied trying to sound confident,
but to be quite honest I was scared.  Landing on the
Galactica is one thing.  You just have to get it
through the slot and well, the Battlestar kind of
takes over after that.  But landing on a planet?  I
hadn't tried that yet, just in simulation, and even
then, I wasn't that great at it.

"Okay Starbuck, back in flash."  Boomer formed up the
cadets and zoomed back towards the Galactica.

"Okay Cadet, let's take her in.  Just follow me down.
Nothing fancy.  Just put her down wherever you can."
Starbuck said using his most confident instructor
voice.

"Okay, but don't grade this one."

Starbuck laughed.  "I'm not taking points off for
neatness.  Just follow me in and you'll be fine."

It wasn't neat.  It wasn't pretty, but I was able to
bring my viper down in one piece, well minus a fin or
two.  I think I crumpled the port side landing gear
too.  I'm really going to get it from the deck crew.
They grudgingly had given me on of their newest vipers
that day.  Well, Starbuck said that someone had to put
the first dent in them.

Starbuck was already out of his viper and running
towards the wreckage of Aliana's craft.  I started to
open my canopy and stopped.  I guess I wanted to know
what to be ready for, so I sat and watched Starbuck
approach Aliana.  I knew that I could tell by his body
language whether there was hope, or if she was gone.
Starbuck ran up and hastily pulled the canopy aside.
He flung the canopy as if it were made of paper.  He
reached down and began pulling Aliana from the
cockpit.  Her hair was matted with blood, but I could
tell by the how fast Starbuck moved that all was not
lost.  I quickly popped my canopy and ran to join him.


By the time I reached him he had Aliana on the ground
and was assessing her injuries.  It was bad, but she
was breathing.  I tried to look beyond the blood that
was now coating Starbuck's hand and jacket.  Her head
was bleeding and her right shoulder had a nasty open
wound where the blood was bubbling.  There was blood
all down her pant legs, but as Starbuck and I
wordlessly checked her, her legs appeared to be fine.

"I think it's just blood from her shoulder."  I said.


"She's punctured a lung.  Probably by a broken rib.
Run and get a medkit."  Starbuck said, stripping off
his jacket and laying it across her legs.  I ran for
his viper since it was closer and rummaged through his
cockpit for the kit.  It was not in the same place as
it is in my viper, and I noticed he had a nice layer
of fumarello butts on the floor of his viper.

I ran back, ripping the seals on the kit, searching
for a pressure bandage.  If we couldn't get the wound
on her shoulder sealed, she would slowly asphyxiate
from a collapsed lung.  Starbuck had ripped off one of
the sleeves on his shirt and was pressing it against
the wound on her head.  I opened up the pressure
bandage and applied it to her shoulder.  Starbuck
placed his hands over mine, applying more pressure to
the wound.  Aliana winced and moaned, starting to come
around.

"Hang in there Aliana.  You're going to be okay."
Starbuck said soothingly  "Rey, why don't you look in
the medkit and see if you can find some painkillers."
I removed my hands from the wound and found the
syringe.  I gave her the full dose.

"There's two more in there, and then that's it."

"Why don't you check her viper and yours for another
medkit."  Starbuck looked at Aliana, then turned to
me.  His voice was calm, but his eyes were desperate.
"We're going to need it."

*********

Pain was my first perception after the crash - incredible
pain, unlike any I
had ever felt before.  For the first several centars after
the crash, I
drifted in and out of consciousness, until the painkillers
reduced
everything to a steady but mostly dull ache . . . if I did
not move.
Movement sent an intense, stabbing pain through my chest.
My arm throbbed,
as did my head.  Most of my concentration was spent trying
to breath in
slow, shallow breaths to avoid the sensation of being
drilled with a knife.

Both Starbuck and Reyana had been talking to me, and I may
have responded,
but my first solid memory was gradually hearing the two
conversing quietly
as I lay with my eyes closed, my mind floating from dream-
fill sleep, to
random thoughts and memories, to bits and pieces of what was
actually going
on.  I had remembered the crash and what had caused it, by
then, but
everything after that point was still the jumbled mass of
sensations and
thoughts.  Eventually, I was able to focus on the two
voices, two comforting
voices, so close by.  I kept my eyes closed, though, just
wanting to listen
and try to understand what was going on now.

"How's she doing?"  Starbuck asked.

"Stable," answered Reyana, "and she seems to be sleeping."
It was
comforting to hear her voice.  She was like a sister to me -
we were the
only family we each had, having lost everything and everyone
in the
Holocaust.  I *knew* that had I not somehow let myself open
up to her,
during those first horrible sectons aboard that rickety
freighter, well . .
. I'm sure I would have given up all hope.  So hearing her
voice was a great
relief and kept me calm.  She continued.  "What'd you find
out?"  She was
speaking quietly, trying not to wake me, I'm sure.

I heard a sigh.  "Several things.  Both good and bad news."
I heard
movement, as if Starbuck were sitting down on the ground.

"Yes?  What?"  Reyana, ever the impatient one, asked.

Another sigh.  "Okay, I got a message from the Galactica, a
short, scrambled
signal.  They'll be sending a shuttle soon, but first they
have to get a
better understanding of where that electromagnetic
transmission came from.
Assess the danger to the Fleet, of course.  They hope to
have a shuttle here
within the next ten centars.  If possible."

"Is that the good news or the bad news?"  I could hear the
concern under
Reyana's joking voice.

"Ah . . . that's the good news."

This time Reyana sighed.  "That's what I was afraid of.
Okay, spill it,
Lieutenant!"

"I ran as detailed scans as I could.  Wish I could transmit
them back to the
Galactica, but that would be too risky.  I'm sure they'll
figure it out
here, soon, anyway -"

"What!"  Reyana was getting impatient as Starbuck was
obviously hesitating
about telling her something.

"This planet has higher levels of radion - just beyond
acceptable levels, at
least here where we are.  We should be okay, though, for at
least a day."

"And?"

"My readings indicated structures - possibly a city -- about
a kilometron
away.  No signs of life, but the radion may be scrambling
the sensors.  I
can't be sure.  If there  is  someone there, they probably
noticed us.  We
*did* penetrate their defenses, after all.  That's the other
thing - most of
the planet seems to be shielded.  I knocked out part of it,
but it'll still
make it hard for the Galactica to get accurate readings.  It
may delay the
shuttle . . ."

I could sense Reyana's rising fear.  "Do we need to find a
safer place?
What if the native inhabitants come looking for us?"

Starbuck's reply, so calm and matter-of-fact, sent a chill
through me as I
listened.  "We've got no place to go that'd be any safer
than here.  And if
we try to move Aliana, it could make her injuries even
worse.  We'll just
have to take our chances and settle in and wait.  Besides,
we don't even
know if --"

I couldn't help it.  The acute fear that we might not be
safe here - that an
unknown group of people or aliens, who had obviously *not*
wanted anyone to
find them, given the shielding, might come looking for us -
made my heart
race.  I felt short of breath and gasped.  Which was a very
bad idea.  The
pain shot through my chest, and I let out a cry that turned
into a gag, then
coughing.  I felt out of control as each involuntary cough,
each spasm,
stabbed with an intense, burning sensation.  I felt like I
was choking and
suffocating.  I was certainly panicking at that point.

"Calm down!  Calm down!"  I felt a firm touch on my
shoulders.  Saw Starbuck
's face above mine.  Felt a hand at my forehead as he and
Reyana tried to
settle me.  "Calm down, calm down," he repeated.  His voice
was getting
slower, firm but steady, soothing, as I finally focused on
the tone.  And
the words.  "Breath slowly," he said, "slowly, slowly, calm
. . . calm . .
.calm.  Easy, easy. . ."

My breathing matched his voice, steady now.  The pain was
subsiding back to
the dull throbbing.  I gazed up into Starbuck's face.  His
expression was
reassuring, but I could see the concern in his eyes.  Lords,
but those blue
eyes spoke volumes!  Despite his steady voice and outward
calm, I could
sense just how worried he was.  And . . .  how guilty he
felt.  Lords, but I
knew at that instance that he felt responsible for me and
our predicament.
A bit of stubborn anger did a lot to vanquish my panic and
fears.

"It wasn't your fault," I whispered.

"What?"  he said.

And - damn! - but I felt tears welling, tears of frustration
and simple
release.  I wanted to explain, to say,  to shout, at him
that he was crazy
to feel responsible when even the Galactica had not detected
the shielding.
There had been no way to know.  No way to anticipate that
entering the
atmosphere would trigger the shielding.  And that I knew the
risks when I
signed up to be a warrior - it was part of the job
description! - and just
because I hadn't actually graduated to ensign yet - that
didn't make him any
more responsible for me or for what had happened.

Instead, I managed to keep my breathing steady, blinked back
the tears, and
whispered again, speaking the words slowly, with each
breath, "It wasn't
your fault."

He was gazing at me with a serious expression, no trace of
the normal,
jovial Starbuck; I had targeted his feelings precisely and
had caught him
completely off guard.  He tried to shake it off and brush
off my statement,
though, by smiling and saying, "Hey, good of you to join us
again.  How are
you feeling?"  He brushed the hair off my face, my forehead.
The touch was
very soothing. And pleasant, relaxing.

"Terrible," I answered.  Turned my head slightly and saw
Reyana on the other
side of me, looking just as concerned.  "But, not so bad if
I don't move."

Reyana was staring from me to the lieutenant.  She was very
perceptive, as
well, and had picked up his reaction, too.  "She's right,
you know."

"I think we need to think about setting up a shelter -"

"Stop avoiding the issue!"  Whoa . . . Reyana could cut
through the
felgercarb, when she wanted to.

I watched the two from my position.  I couldn't see their
faces, exactly,
when he looked at her, but I could sense the body language,
saw him stiffen
a bit.  "I'm not avoiding anything.  We need to prepare for
the night, since
we don't know when a shuttle might -"

"It's *not* your fault," she said firmly.

"Reyana, we need -"

"We'll get to that in a moment," she insisted.  Bless her,
but she could
almost read my mind, sometimes.  "How can you possibly think
that this is
your fault?"

I could see the tenseness in his jaw.  "Because as your
squadron commander,
it's my *job* to make sure that you - the cadets, I mean -
are safe.
Obviously, I failed on that point -"

"Men," Reyana grumbled.  I saw his jaw drop.  She was
looking at me, though,
ignoring his surprised expression.  "Why do they always
think that they
should somehow be able to *control* everything?  Life just
doesn't work that
way, does it?  Felgercarb happens, you know.  And there
isn't  a darn thing
anyone do about it.  Why can't men just *accept* that?"

Lords, I wanted to laugh, but had enough sense not to.  My
fears had
diminished once I realized that had anyone been around to
find us, they
would have done so by then.  Common sense - now that I could
think somewhat
clearly - told me that the "no life signs" reading was most
likely accurate.
The high radion levels, had we had the time to consider it
right then and
there, were a fair indicator of what had probably happened
on the planet.
Later, we would all learn from the Galactica's detailed
scans that this
planet had been devastated by a global catastrophe - nuclear
war, most
likely.  The atmospheric shielding was the lonely reminder
of how advanced
this civilization had once been.

At the moment, though, I just sensed that we were in no
immediate danger, so
I could relax some.  I looked at Reyana and smiled weakly.
"So true, so
true . . ."

"Look, I - I don't - It isn't -"  Starbuck sputtered.

Reyana was not letting up.  "This was an *accident,* okay?
Unforeseeable.
Besides, we're big girls.  We knew the risks when we joined
the Colonial
service."

Gee, but Starbuck had a stubborn streak, too.  "That's
beside the point.  I'
m your trainer, your instructor, so you're still my
responsibility until you
've passed all the exams and graduated.    So regardless of
the
circumstances, it's my job to keep you safe."

"And you did," I whispered.  Starbuck looked down at me.  He
was still
stroking the side of my face, brushing back my hair in a way
that felt so
soothing, so . . . nice.  When he didn't say anything, I
continued, "It was
your calm, cool, rock-steady voice that got me to
concentrate on my
training.  You're the only reason I didn't just go splat
into this planet.
You saved my life . . ." I was gazing into those expressive
blue eyes. By
the Lords of Kobol, maybe I should get hurt more often,
because my senses
were keenly attuned at that moment.  As I looked up into his
eyes, I
realized, suddenly, that his concern was deeper than just
that of
instructor/cadet.

I broke the gaze to glance at Reyana, who was also
uncharacteristically
quiet at that moment.  She, too, was sensing an undercurrent
. . .


******

"Look, it's more than that."  Starbuck said, turning
to look at me, then he looked away.  "Uh, I mean, than
just being your instructor."  Starbuck looked at
Aliana again.  " I mean."

Starbuck took his hand away from Aliana and ran it
through his hair, pulling his bangs from his eyes.  It
was a gesture I had noticed he only does when he is
frustrated and trying to find a solution.  He looked
down at the ground as he fumbled for words.  "I mean,
there's more to it than that.  It's just, you see..."
Starbuck started again.

My heart leapt and my head got dizzy.  In my wildest
dreams I never thought that this could get serious.
But this was as serious as it gets.  Aliana hurt,
stuck on a potentially deadly planet, and Starbuck
about to declare his feelings.   I was scared, more
terrified than I have probably ever been.

"We know.  Don't say anything more okay?  We know.
You know, let's talk about this later okay?  Over
dinner with a glass of ambrosia and soft music
playing.  But not here, okay?"  I almost pleaded.
Aliana looked at me worriedly.  Then pain crossed her
features and I became even more scared.   "We need to
get a shelter up."

I turned and walked away from the two of them and
headed for my viper to get the rest of the supplies.
About halfway there Starbuck caught up to me.  He took
my arm and stopped me.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah, perfect.  Never had a better day in my life, oh
yeah, there was that day my homeworld was destroyed.
But yeah, everything's fine.  Look, we need to get
that shelter up, it's going to get cold."  I wouldn't
look at him, and he gently took my chin in his hand
and brought my face up.

"Are you okay?"  He said looking in my eyes.  It was
that worried look on his face, the one so far he had
reserved for Aliana, that made me answer him.  A smart
remark was on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it
down.

"Yeah, sorry, it's just this is not exactly how I had
things planned, you know?"

"Yeah, I know, but life rarely goes as planned, at
least in my life anyway."  Starbuck took his hand from
my face, but continued to gaze into my eyes.  "If
you're not comfortable with this, I understand.  I
won't pursue it."

"No, no, no.that's not what I meant!"  Starbuck looked
confused, then relieved as I continued.  "I mean, I
want us to discuss all this somewhere romantic, some
place, oh I don't know, nice I guess.  Not on a radion
rock with hostile inhabitants and, well, not like
this.  That's what I meant.  I wanted it to be perfect
and then you wouldn't have any doubts about this all
working out."

"Hey, what can be more romantic than alone on a
starlit night with a sense of danger.  If you ask me,
this is perfect!"  He smiled at me, then glanced over
his shoulder and dropped the grin.  "Well, except for
Aliana being hurt.  Yeah, not exactly as planned.  But
didn't we decide we'd take our moments where we found
them?  That life is too short to let this go by?"

"Yes, but its going to get even shorter if we don't
get a shelter up and get rescued."

"Okay, okay.and everyone says I avoid issues."  I shot
Starbuck an angry look and he put his hands up in
defeat.  "Okay, we'll talk about it later, I promise.
When we get back safe and sound."

"If we get back."  I said.

"WHEN we get back."  Starbuck countered firmly.  He
then did something I did not anticipate.  He reached
for me and took me in his arms.  It was just a hug.  A
simple hug between friends that lasted for only a
moment.  But in that moment, I felt all the walls
around my heart melt.  We broke the embrace and
Starbuck said softly, "No doubts."  Then he turned and
walked back to check on Aliana.  I walked towards my
viper to get the supplies, my head reeling from what
my heart was telling me.

As I walked back I could see Starbuck and Aliana
talking, but I couldn't hear them.  Starbuck was
checking her wound and also stroking her face to keep
her calm and conscious.  I interrupted them as I
spread a blanket over Aliana and began to construct
the shelter.  Starbuck got up to get the rest of the
supplies and to see if there were any left in the
ruins of Aliana's viper.  I finished the shelter, such
as it was, and stepped inside to check on my friend.

She was pale, too pale, but at least she didn't appear
to be in too much pain.  Her eyes were closed and it
looked like she was sleeping rather than unconscious.
I reached down to remove one of the jackets that was
covering her to ball it up and put under head as a
pillow.  She awoke with the movement.

"Are you okay?"  She asked me.

"Um, last I checked, you're the one that's hurt.  Are
you okay?"

"Yes."  She whispered.  "I mean, it hurts, but it's
not that bad."  She looked up at me concerned and
asked, "Are you okay with all this, because he wants
to give it a try."  Aliana looked elated for a moment,
then concern creased her features again.

"Yes, I am.  Heck, I think this was my idea.  Be
careful what you wish for, right?  Yeah, I'm okay.
It's just not the greatest time to talk about it right
now.  I think we need to concentrate on getting you
back and getting you patched up."

"Don't worry, we'll work this all out and take it
slow."  Aliana said, then gasped for another breath.

"Okay, okay, but right now, let's worry about you.
Because I sort of need you along for the fun, okay?  I
mean, who else can I talk to about Starbuck?  Who else
would believe that I beat him at cards?"

Aliana tried to laugh, and ended up coughing instead.
"Easy there."  I said, reaching to get out more
painkillers.

"I'm okay."  She said, getting control of her
breathing.  "But I don't believe you beat him at
cards, I believe that was me."

"What?  You have got to be joking, I mean if I hadn't
have taken that one hand, he would have definitely
beaten yours."

"If I recall you were losing hands."

"Well yeah, to get him all confident so we could take
him when he least expected it."

"Oh, was that it."  She smiled and I relaxed for the
first time since the strange pulses that put Aliana in
this condition.

Starbuck entered the shelter, bringing with him two
more blankets, rations, and producing from behind his
back, a bottle of ambrosia.  "Ta da!"  He said with a
flourish.  He popped the cork and took a swig.
"Ladies" he said, offering me the bottle.

"Where did you get this?"  I asked looking at the
label that claimed the bottle was over a hundred
yahrens old.  I helped Aliana take a drink before
taking one myself.

"Oh, there was this time I crash landed on some penal
colony that just happened to make ambrosia.  I keep it
stashed for when I land on cold and lonely planets,
you know, to remind myself that sometimes I do get
lucky."  He smiled his winning smile.  He draped
another blanket over Aliana and snuggled in on the
other side of her in our small shelter, and we waited
for a rescue.

As the sun set the temperature dropped to below
freezing.  The wind picked up.   As it howled across
the open valley, there were several times in the night
that a gust would startle us.  Often I thought I heard
voices.  But as I strained to hear what they were
saying, it would suddenly stop.  Starbuck kept watch
most of the night, telling me to sleep and not to
worry.   But he kept his lazer drawn.

Aliana slept most of the night thanks to the
painkillers and the ambrosia.  Probably not the
smartest thing we could do, but if it took more than a
day for them to rescue us, we would run out of
painkillers.  Starbuck and I decided a good nights
sleep would do Aliana good before having to face the
pain.  She was too weak to argue with us, although she
tried.

We snuggled close to each other for warmth.  Starbuck
left us at least ten times, to check outside the
shelter to see if anything or anyone was out there.
He must have heard the voices too, but each time he
came back in he would mutter, "Just the wind."  I
wasn't entirely convinced it was just the wind.  The
words at times were too distinct just to be the wind
howling.  But I couldn't make them out.

"Do you hear that?"  Aliana said at one point, having
been awakened by a wind gust.

"It's just your imagination."  Starbuck said, and
smoothed the blankets around her, stroking her hair
until she fell asleep.  Then he got up once again to
check outside the shelter.

He came back a few cenons later, muttering under his
breath.

"Driving you nuts too, huh?"  I whispered in the dark.

"So it's not just me that's hearing it."  He stated.

"I think it's just the wind, right?"

"I can't find anything to suggest otherwise.  Try to
sleep."

"Okay."  I whispered, then drew my lazer.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


With the amount of painkillers they'd given me and the small
bit ambrosa to
boot, I should have slept, dead to the world.  But every
time I reached a
true sleep, an involuntary movement or breath sent my chest
throbbing.  And
in those waking moments, as groggy as I was, I could still
sense that
Starbuck and Reyana were worried about something.  Something
. . . At one
point, when the winds had blown shrieking through our
makeshift tent, I
could have sworn I heard voices, but I was too drowsy to be
sure.  And
Starbuck insisted that it had been the wind, just the wind.
Still, I could
sense that Starbuck and Reyana were tense.

The night seemed like one of the longest and coldest that I
can recall.
Despite the blankets, I eventually started to feel chilled
straight through
to the core and began to shiver uncontrollably.  Which hurt
like hades.  I
think it was towards morning.  I remember Reyana and
Starbuck talking,
discussing something; I was in too much pain to focus on the
words, but the
worry came through loud and clear.  Finally, since the
blankets were having
no effect, they took the only course of action they could --
Reyana and
Starbuck laid down, one on each side of me, on their sides,
so that they
formed a warm, human cocoon round me.  I was on my back, so
they were able
to entwine their arms together above - but not touching - my
chest.  With
the blankets wrapped tightly around the three of us, I soon
felt so warm and
snug that the pain subsided and I finally drifted back to
sleep.

The next sound I heard, the one that startled me awake, was
definitely a
voice, a loud voice directly outside the shelter.  I jumped
and gave a short
gasp, but was aware enough to calm myself and avoid moving
any further.  As
the stabbing pain faded, I realized that Reyana and
Starbuck, who must have
been exhausted, having been awake most of the night, were
still asleep.
Well, at least I thought they were until Starbuck whispered
in my ear, "Take
it easy.  It's all right.  Shhhh . . ."

"But I heard --"

"I know, I know.  But it's okay," he said softly.  I glanced
at him and he
was smiling.  "Help's arrived.  The shuttle.  Just let me
just get up
carefully -"

I realized that Reyana *was* still asleep.  I also noticed
that our feet and
legs were rather tangled up.  Starbuck had just started to
carefully pull
himself free when someone flung the shelter flap aside,
sending the sunlight
flooding in.

"What?!"  Reyana almost jumped up, but Starbuck's firm grasp
stopped her.
He knew that the painkillers had worn off and any undue
movements - as I had
already discovered - hurt.  Extremely.  Even her mild jerk
made me gasp and
groan.

"Help's arrived," he repeated.  "It's okay.  Just don't move
until I can get
these blankets off."

So we were still firmly and completely entwined when our
rescuers entered
the tent.  I heard a snort and then lieutenant Boomer's deep
voice, "They're
here, all right!"

More movement, footsteps.  Starbuck was trying to undo the
blanket without
bumping me.  It was very slow going.  "Lieutenant!"  I
recognized that as
the voice of Captain Apollo.  Starbuck's superior.  I got  a
sudden uneasy
feeling and felt acutely self conscious.

"Uh, Boomer, Apollo, and, uh . . ."  Starbuck had finally
pulled the
tucked-in ends out from under us and was extracting himself,
carefully.
"Glad you could make it!"  Reyana also slipped out from
under the covers and
stood up, rather quickly, I noticed.

With the blankets pulled down now, I could see the two
warriors standing
just inside the shelter, staring at us.  Behind them stood
the medtech - it
was Cassiopeia, and her expression was slowly fading from
wide-eyed to
stony.  Boomer had a lopsided, amused grin on his face.  The
captain looked
stern and - I'd have to call it upset.  I didn't yet know
about the depth of
their friendship, so there was an aspect to his expression
that I just
couldn't interpret.

Boomer was chuckling.  "Way to go, Bucko!" he said.

"Lieutenant -"  The captain sounded ready to issue a
reprimand,  but
Starbuck interrupted him.

"Apollo, Cassiopeia,"  Starbuck said, pointing at me.  "She
needs immediate
medical attention, so the sooner we get her back to the
_Galacica_, the
better.  And for the record, this was the *only* way to
prevent her from
going into shock.  It was damned cold last night!"  Lords,
but he sounded
angry.  And defensive.  Was he in trouble again?

***********
Thank the stars that they had brought a medtech with them,
even if it was
*her,* because the moment they tried to lift me onto the
stretcher, I cried
out.  Everything hurt, but especially my chest; it felt as
if someone had
drilled a knife straight through me.  I felt dizzy and
nauseous.  I was
gasping, but it felt as if I was suddenly in a vacuum.  I
could not get any
air.  I was panicking.  Starbuck was above me, brushing my
forehead with his
hand- I couldn't hear his voice, although his mouth was
moving.  A loud hum
was filling my ears, my vision was blurring, splintering . .
.

I remembered bits and pieces from the shuttle ride back to
the _Galactica_,
voices, swatches of conversations, faces, mostly random
images and
sensations.  Reyana sat right next to me, and so did
Starbuck, holding my
hand, because I remembered the comforting warmth of his
touch.  And
Cassiopeia, in spite of everything or how she might have
been feeling, kept
herself professional, for the most part, from what little I
recalled.  At
one point, after a nasty coughing fit that had sent me into
pain-filled
spasms and gasping for breath, Starbuck had asked her if I
would be all
right.

Her response had been soft and serious.  "The sooner we get
her aboard the
_Galactica_, the better."  She had paused.  My eyes were
closed, so I don't
think she knew I could hear her.  "Starbuck," she had said,
"Regardless of
what might be going on--" She paused again, to steady her
voice, it seemed.
"You and the cadet here probably saved her life by keeping
her warm last
night.  The _Galactica's_ readings had indicated that the
temperature had
dropped considerably after dark.  We were worried about the
unavoidable
delay.  About what we might find when we finally got there.
I was just
caught off guard, okay?"

"You and Apollo both," Starbuck grumbled.  Then he said
quickly but
seriously, "Thanks, Cassie."

"I won't ask about the bottle of ambrosa, though."  She had
to add that.
Even in my semi-conscious state, her underlying anger was
quite evident.

I don't know if Starbuck responded or if any more was said,
because after
that, I drifted off.

And woke up to find myself in the lifestation, feeling
totally disoriented.
I had no idea how long it had been, whether a couple of
centars had passed .
. . or several days.   My arm was bandaged, as were my head
and chest.  At
first, I could not figure out where I was, even, and did not
remember the
crash.  As I struggled to make sense of everything, I felt a
rising panic. .
.

******

Thank the Lords it didn't take that long to get to the
Galactica.  Aliana had me terrified the way she kept
gasping for air and I could tell she was in a lot of
pain.  The med tech kept reassuring me that she was
okay, that she was getting enough air.  I could tell
she was just saying those things to keep me calm.
Starbuck worked on keeping Aliana calm.

Once we reached the Galactica they allowed me and
Starbuck to accompany Aliana as far as the Life
Center, then they took her to surgery.  I felt better
when the Doctor assured me that she would be fine and
that I could wait if I wanted.  He was a crusty old
geezer that I knew wouldn't sugar coat anything.   The
med tech, Cassiopea, tried to give me a "See, I told
you everything would be fine." look.  "Why don't you
clean up."  She said.  "She will be in surgery for a
few centaurs."  But I wasn't leaving.  Not until I
knew my friend was okay.  She tried to shoo Starbuck
away too, but he wasn't budging either.

So he and I waited outside the Life Center .  For a
while we didn't say anything, just stood there in our
own thoughts.  Neither of us had gotten much sleep.
After the rough landing and laying on the ground, we
were both pretty dirty.  Starbuck looked pretty rough.
 Both the sleeves were missing from his uniform, as he
had torn the other one off in the night to use as a
bandage.  His tunic was smeared with dried blood, and
his hair almost looked gray from the amount of sand in
it.  He must have left his jacket behind on the
planet.  Now that we were alone and the danger was
over, I could see he had let his guard down.  He
wasn't wearing his usual "happy-go-lucky" smile.  His
face was serious, and his eyes were as dark as a sea
before a storm.

I suddenly became self conscious, wondering what I
must look like.  I looked down at my own uniform to
see that it was also smeared with blood, though not as
much as Starbuck's.  My pants were covered in dirt,
and it would take me centaurs to get my boots to shine
again.  I ran my fingers through my hair trying to
dislodge some of the tangles.

"You look beautiful."  Starbuck said, completely
taking me off guard.

I laughed, "Yeah, dirt becomes us.  I might style my
hair this way every day."  I fluffed my hair and sand
bounced off the deck.  We both laughed, but Starbuck's
eyes stayed serious.  His eyes found mine, holding my
gaze.

"You said we should talk later.  It's later."  He said
from across the corridor.  He stepped over beside me
and leaned against the wall.

"Yeah, it's later.  But is now the right time?  Or the
right place?"  I tried to brush some of the dirt off
my shirt.  I realized I probably smelled rank too.

"With our luck?  Well I can't get us to that romantic
time and place unless we talk.  I'd say now is the
perfect time."

"You have a good point."  I chuckled remembering that
this was Starbuck's second trip to the Life Center in
only a few cycles.

"Look, I'm kind of new at this.  Dating two girls I
mean, well, maybe not new at that.  There was Noday,
and Aurora, and Athena and."

I interrupted him.  "Starbuck, I don't need the list.
I think every warrior can recite it along with the
preflight check.  Besides, it's that list that made
Aliana and I think we could, well, try this."

"Okay, so it's not anything new for me to date two
women."  He hesitated for a moment.  "But so, openly.
That's new.  I'm used to sneaking around behind their
backs.  It's kind of different for me that you two
seem, well, okay with it.  So pardon me if I seem a
little out of my element."

"Sneaking around can be fun too."  I flashed him an
evil grin that made Starbuck choke a little.

"Yeah it can be fun."  He smiled wistfully.  "Oh yeah,
this is going to be fun.  Different, but fun."  He
went serious again.  "I just want to make sure that
you are both okay with it."

"I was right about you.  You would never intentionally
hurt a woman."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that.  There have been a few times
that I knew exactly what I was doing.  I can be a real
jerk sometimes."

"As long as we're all truthful, well, I think it could
work."  I reached over and took his hand without
looking at him.  "It'll be fun."

We stood there like that for a few centons, just
holding hands lost in our own thoughts.  I know I
should have been worried about the rules and
regulations.  Technically Starbuck couldn't date
either of us, but the rules had been ignored for
several other individuals that it didn't seem to be a
big concern.  I was worried about Alianna, her health
anyway.  But right at that moment it was my only
concern.  I felt like the future had suddenly turned
bright and hopeful.  It was like a sunrise after a
storm, when the air smells fresh and clean.

"I think I need to get to know you two, alone I mean.
It seems that you two know each other pretty well, and
I think that I should get to know each of you.  You
are two very different people."  Starbuck said
breaking our silence.

"You could say that again.  So Starbuck, want to go
out on a date?"  I looked at him waiting for an
answer.

"You're supposed to let me ask.  Let's not go breaking
all the rules in one day, okay?"  He laughed.

"Okay, okay.but you'd better ask Aliana out first.  I
think she's going to need a good night on the town
after what she's been through!

"Okay, so let me handle that okay?"  He teased me.
"Then the next night, you and me, and we'll just take
it from there."  He squeezed my hand.

"Sounds like a fair deal to me."  I smiled.

We stood that way for a few more moments, both of us
smiling and holding hands.  We must have looked pretty
odd.   When Lt. Boomer came around the corner of the
corridor looking for Starbuck, he slid to a halt
before continuing on his normal pace.  I expected
Starbuck to immediately drop my hand when the warrior
approached him, but he didn't.

"Uh, Apollo wants to see you on the bridge."  Lt.
Boomer said to Starbuck.  "They got those scans in on
the planet and downloaded the information from your
Viper.  It seems you guys were right.  You did hear
voices."

"So we weren't going crazy!"  I blurted out, then
realized I was talking to one of my instructors.  "Uh
Sir."  I added belatedly.

"No Cadet, you weren't going crazy.  It seems to be an
old early warning system.  Something you triggered
when you penetrated the shielding on the planet."

"So that's what knocked out their engines."  Starbuck
said.  "So, when I blew up the shielding--"

"It triggered the warnings."  Lt. Boomer finished.
"Only there was no one to warn.  Looks like the
population has been dead for several hundred yahrens.
Not sure why yet, but we're looking into it."

"Does it look like part of the thirteenth tribe?"
Starbuck asked giving my hand a squeeze.

"Hard to say at this point.  We might make another
expedition to the planet, since it also had some
resources we could use.  Plus we want to pick up the
other viper.  Seems you guys landed one of the new
ones.  Bent it up pretty good."  Lt. Boomer said to
me.

"Uh, sorry about that sir."  I said embarrassed.

He chuckled.  "It's the risk you take when you fly
with Starbuck.  He's not exactly known for bringing
them back in one piece."  Lt. Boomer cast Starbuck a
disapproving look.  "Uh buddy, you might want to clean
up before you head up to the bridge.  Can you for once
land on a planet AND keep your uniform clean?  You're
lucky they don't charge you for those shirts.  You'd
be too broke to gamble."

"Hey I can't help it that they keep sending me on
these dangerous missions.  It's just a part of the
job."  Starbuck finally dropped my hand.  "Reyana, you
tell them to get me as soon as Aliana wakes up, okay?"

"Okay."  Was all I said, very conscious of Lt.
Boomer's presence.

They continued to banter as they walked down the
corridor, and I could tell that they were pretty good
friends.

"So rolling around in the dirt is mandatory for each
of your missions?"  Lt. Boomer asked sarcastically.

"You ought to give it a try Boomer.  I can't help it
if my viper likes landing in mud bogs."

I continued to wait for word on Aliana, alone with my
thoughts.  I was sure that we could handle, no restate
that, love working out the details of both of us
dating Starbuck.  But I suddenly had my doubts about
how everyone else would handle it.  Starbuck was known
for his large circle of friends.  They were older than
Aliana and me, and outranked us.  It was a bit
intimidating.  I knew if we were going to make this a
long term arrangement, that eventually we'd have to
work things out with his friends.  I wasn't sure how
to do that.  I knew it was important though.  So I
while I waited, I tried to think up a plan.

A centaur later when the Med Tech came to tell me that
Aliana was out of surgery and I could see her, I still
hadn't come up with any good ideas.

As I approached the pod, Aliana looked so different
all swathed in white bandages.  It stunned me to
realize just how injured she had been.  The whole
ordeal caught up to me, and I couldn't move.  Until I
noticed that Aliana was waking up.  She started to
thrash and panic.  I saw from the corner of my eye
Cassiopea heading towards her, but I beat the med
techthere.

"Shhhh.it's okay.  It's okay.  You're on the
Galactica."

Aliana's eyes cleared and she breathed a deep sigh.
She winced and I panicked.

"Does it still hurt?  I'll tell them to give you more
meds."

"No."  She whispered hoarsely.  "I'm okay.  Just hurt
for a milicenton."

"Are you okay?  You sure?"  I asked, still frightened
by the whole ordeal.

"Yeah.  I'm okay.  I don't remember getting here."

"You were pretty out of it by the time we got here.  I
think they had you on some powerful stuff.  But
everything's fine now.  You're back on the Galactica
and all patched up.  See, wasn't that fun?"  I tried
to crack a joke to make her feel better.

"Yeah, lots of fun.  You look awful."

"Gee, thanks.  I kind of thought this look became me?"

"Where's Starbuck?"  She asked and I took her hand in
mine and gave her a knowing smile.

"Duty called him away.  Something about the scans from
the planet.  They're getting him down here now."  We
were both silent for a moment, then I whispered for
only her to hear.  "We talked."

"Yeah?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"So are you going to tell me what he said?"  She asked
perturbed.

"No.  I don't think I am."  I said thoughtfully.

"Why not?"  She sounded almost angry.

"Because he wants to talk to you first.  Don't worry
though, it's all okay.  In fact," I lowered my voice
to insure we were not overheard by the hovering med
tech.  "It's wonderful!"

Aliana smiled, and at that moment Starbuck walked into
the Life Center.  He glowed, fresh from the turbo
wash, with a clean uniform and shining hair.  His face
was lit up with smile.  He radiated confidence and I
couldn't help smiling as I was caught up in his mood.

"Aliana, you look great!  Wow, they did a good job on
you!  Look how wonderful you are!"  He took her hand
in his, then reached across and took mine.  "See,
didn't I tell you everything was going to be fine!"

All we could do was smile.  It is so easy to fall
under his charm.  Starbuck turned his attention to me
for a moment.  "Everything's alright now.  I've got it
all taken care of.  Why don't you go get cleaned up
and get some rest."

It didn't take me long to agree.  All was right with
the world, how could it not be with Starbuck in
charge?  Of course, I had to make sure Aliana was
going to be okay, so I approached Cassiopea and asked
her about Aliana's condition.

"She'll be fine.  All the damage was repaired, and she
should stay in the Life Center for just a few cycles
until her lung heals sufficiently.  Just to make sure
there are no complications.  Feel free to visit her
anytime."

I thanked her and started to leave when she said,
"This isn't the first time I've seen you two with
Starbuck is it?  Something about a head injury and
tylium leaks on the Rising Star?"

I couldn't tell from her tone what she was getting at.
 But it didn't sound like a friendly inquiry either.
"Yes, that's right."  I said coolly.  "And it won't be
the last time you see us with him."

She laughed sarcastically as she turned away from me.
I knew I needed a turbo wash.  I suddenly felt very
dirty.

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

"Look, I just want to be 100% *sure* that you are okay with
this."  Starbuck
stared at me with an uncharacteristically serious
expression, his lips
pursed, his eyes searching mine.

We were standing just outside the portal that led to the
compartment for the
main thrusters - why, I wasn't yet sure.  But the lieutenant
had promised me
a "special evening."  He had also made the same commitment
to Reyana,
openly, with our encouragement and continued assurances that
we *wanted*
things to be this way.

After two sectons, I was finally feeling back to normal.
The bones had been
easy to fuse, but the lung had been pesky and had been a
little more
reluctant to heal.  I had spent over three days in the
Lifestation, and
Reyana and Starbuck had come by as often as they could to
see me.  After
being released, I had had plenty of time to ponder things,
since I was not
permitted to continue with my training until the second
secton - and then
only with daily trips to the Lifestation to monitor the
progress of the
lung.  But today, finally, I had been declared "fit to
return to full active
duty."  In honor of this occasion, Starbuck and I had agreed
that this was
the evening when we would have our first date - just the two
of us.  The
three of us had talked over the two sectons how we wanted to
"take things
slowly,"  but the unspoken sentiment that seemed to vibrate
through the air
was that this was it - the true test of our resolve to be
open and willing
to share.

And now, as daring and free-spirited as he claimed to be -
as he viewed
himself, I'm sure - I could tell that he was truly uncertain
about this,
that deep down, I suspected, he was as traditional in his
values as I had
thought I was.  Sure, he had dated half the women in the
Fleet, according to
the rumors, but I also suspected, based on those rumors and
gossip the other
women cadets had been spreading, that he had, for a while,
only been seeing
the med tech, Cassiopeia.  I suspected that he was actually
quite monogamous
at heart.  But I had thought that I was, too.

However, surviving the destruction of your homeworld can
change one's
perspective.  Big time.  As I gazed up into his fluid blue
eyes, so deep and
revealing, as I read his hesitancy, his fear, even, that
this was wrong, I
felt the conviction that this was, under our present
conditions, the right
thing to do.  Or if not "right," at least acceptable.  Or
maybe even
necessary.  No one had released any of the statistics to the
people of the
Fleet, but all one had to do was look around at the ranks of
the Colonial
warriors to know . . .   our numbers were unbalanced.

Reyana and I had discussed this, as well.  And we had
surprised ourselves
greatly by mutually agreeing that, one, neither one of us
wanted to even
consider a "permanent" relationship with someone at this
time.  No.  We both
had lost everything and everyone - everyone in our families.
We were the
only family we each had now.  And with our future so vastly
uncertain, we
had both vowed that we would live each day to its fullest,
enjoy each moment
that we could, but make no definitive plans.  We wanted to
be warriors.  We
wanted to stop being victims and have a direct hand in
trying to create a
future for the human race.  And with being a warrior came
the doubled risk
that our future could end in a flash - at the hand of enemy
fire or even
through the inherent risks of flying vipers and exploring
the unknown space
in front of the Fleet.  But we would not just be sitting
around on our
astrums mourning the past.

But, second, second . . . we had agreed that if the Fates
had introduced us
to a man, whom we both found incredibly irresistible, and
who seemed
genuinely interested in both of us, well . . . then who were
we to disagree
with Them?  I sensed - when I let myself look at our true
condition of
around 300,000 people crammed aboard 220 ships - I sensed
that our survival
would depend on many, many more people realizing that we
could not *afford*
to commit to monogamous relationships until  . . . until our
future was much
more certain and our numbers were much greater and more
balanced.

Lords, which raised one final question that I had been
avoiding.  What if .
. .?  It wasn't as if birth control were even readily
available in the
Fleet.  Although, a population explosion under our current
restrictive
situation might be just as disastrous as too high of a death
rate . . .
argh!  It was a precarious balance that we needed - and no
one had bothered
to address, yet.  I wondered when . . .?

But at that moment, as I gazed into those blue eyes, I was
ready to let the
Fates decide what they would.  And I had but one
reservation: that
Lieutenant Starbuck, whose reputation was known throughout
the ranks -- a
woman-chaser with a list of "conquests" as long as his arm
(Miri, Noday - we
all could cite it!), a charmer, a con man, a free spirit, a
gambler - that
*he* would regret proceeding with this.  Reyana and I had
seen the tension
between him and Cassiopeia, had overheard their argument,
and there had been
several more, I sensed, since that one.  Was he really ready
to let go of
that relationship?  Or was he responding in anger to her
reaction?  Where
did he really stand in all of this?  We knew what he *said,*
but did he even
know what he truly felt?  I sensed, just sensed, that his
reputation was
mostly a cover, a gambler's bluff, to hide the real way he
felt.  I also
sensed that he had always done his best to avoid figuring
out what those
feelings might be.

So I took a deep breath.   "Starbuck," I said quietly,
locking my gaze with
his, so that he could read how earnest I was.  "I want this.
Reyana wants
this.  But only if *you* are totally, completely comfortable
with it.  I
promise you, promise you, that  . . . that the only way I'll
survive this
horrible mess - without giving up or going insane --  is if
I live each and
every day, each moment, to the fullest - and let the Fates
bring what they
may!"  I wanted to reach out, to touch him, to let my desire
keep him from
pulling away. . .  but I kept my hands resolutely at my
sides, because I
also wanted this to be *his* choice, with no undue
persuasion.  In fact, I
stepped back, broke the gaze, and leaned against the wall as
I said, "Do you
really want to do this? What about Cassiopeia?"

For a moment, there was silence, broken only by the low
drone of the
thrusters reverberating through the walls.  Starbuck walked
a few paces in
the opposite direction, away from me.  My heart was
pounding.  I held each
breath a beat as I waited, tense, expecting the worst.  When
he turned to
face me again, after several agonizing centons, I was
prepared, I told
myself, for him to back down.  I fully expected it as he
walked slowly back
towards me.  His face was so serious, his jaw set.  Thus, he
caught me
completely by surprise when, without hesitation and in one
fluid motion, he
took me by the shoulders, pulled me close, sliding his hands
to each side of
my face and bringing my chin up so that my lips melted into
his kiss - a
long, passionate, heart-felt kiss as I wrapped my arms
around him, embracing
him tightly.

"Wow," was all I could manage when he finally pulled back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I tried to regain my composure, I watched Starbuck open a
compartment
located next to the door that led to the main thrusters.  He
removed two
pairs of ear protectors and handed one to me.  "Put these
on," he said with
a sly smile.

I gave him a dubious look.  "More engine repairs?  Is that
your idea of a
'special time'?"

"You'll see.  Just follow me."  He winked and yanked open
the door.  The
roar of the thrusters was loud, even through the ear
protectors.  He grasped
my hand and led me into the chamber, past the huge, pulsing
engines, and
over to a ladder near the rear.  He pointed up and began
climbing the rungs.
I had no idea where we were headed, but I followed.
Starbuck had hoisted
open the hatch above us and disappeared through it.  As I
reached the top,
he extended his hand to help me up and through.

As I pulled myself into the chamber, Starbuck closed the
hatch, and all was
silent suddenly.  Removing the ear protectors, I gazed
around, still not
sure where we were.  "What is this place?" I asked, puzzled.

"It's a celestial chamber."  He explained how it had been
used by navigators
hundreds of yahrens ago to verify the old star charts.  He
also described
how Captain Apollo, after discovering the dome, had repaired
the ancient
equipment and now used it as a place to which he could
escape.  It was
probably the only place in the Fleet that offered complete
solitude.  Or
privacy.  "Look,"  he finally said and pressed a switch on
the rotating
command chair.

The dome opened slowly, letting the velvety black of space
spill in and the
brilliant stars surround us.  It was breathtaking, the most
beautiful sight
I had ever seen.  "Oh, wow,"  I said again.

Starbuck was grinning, pleased by my reaction.  He moved in
close and
wrapped me in his arms, hugging me against his chest.  "I
thought you might
like it . . ."  Placing a hand against my cheek,  he kissed
me, tenderly,
softly, at first.  He slid the hand around my back again,
caressing, drawing
me closer.  The kiss became more eager, more passionate.

"Wait!"  A sudden, horrible thought had struck me.  I pushed
back from him
with both hands.

Starbuck looked distressed.  "What?  What is it?"

"You said that Captain Apollo comes here?"  I said, feeling
an acute panic
attack.  "What if he -"

"Don't worry!"  Starbuck grinned, chuckling.  "He knows
we're here -"

"He what?!"  I pulled  free of the lieutenant's hold,
feeling my heart
racing.  I felt anxious and angry, even, because Starbuck
was still laughing
at me.  "What do you *mean* 'he knows'?"  I was nearly
shouting.

Starbuck shook his head.  "No.  Everything's fine.  Come
here."  He pointed
to the chair on the swiveling control center in the middle
of the celestial
chamber.  Taking my elbow as I continued to frown at him, he
guided me over
and helped me up.

 I was still staring at him, trying to calm my nerves.
"Won't you get in
trouble for this?"  I asked, finally.  I was remembering the
stern,
disapproving looks the captain had given him after finding
the three of us
wrapped in the blankets on that planet.

Starbuck leaned on the panel, putting his hand on my knee.
"No," he said
quietly.  "I guess I'd better explain some things."

"That might help."  I felt calmer but rather confused.

"Okay," he said.  "I had a, uh, meeting with Apollo and the
commander the
day after your crash landing.  Well, you need to understand
that it wasn't
really an official reprimand or anything like that."  Pacing
back and forth
now, he went on to explain that he and the captain were
close friends -
family really.  And the same applied to the commander.  He
said all this as
he stared everywhere but at me, so I knew that this sort of
frank discussion
was not easy for him.  He finally looked at me.  "Anyway, we
had a rather
lengthy conversation about, well, us.  The three of us."

I gulpled.  He was discussing "us" with the commander of the
Fleet.

He continued.  "And it's true.  Apollo was madder than hades
with me, at
first.  His exact words were, 'I never thought you'd stoop
this low, playing
two cadets off one another.'  So I explained -again - that
we, the three of
us, had decided it was what we wanted."

"You said all of this in front of the commander?"  I asked.

"Well, yeah.  And he's the one who eventually backed me up."

"You're joking, right?"  I was frowning at him again.

"Nope."  He was grinning.  "First, I reminded Apollo that he
had not only
dated a cadet but was *sealed* to one -"

"He was?"

Starbuck suddenly stopped and looked away.  "Uh, that's
another story that I
'd rather not go into right now."  He returned his gaze to
me and continued,
"But the point was that we can't possibly adhere to all of
the old
regulations, given our refugee status.  And Apollo had to
concede that
point."

"But two cadets?" I said.  "I don't suppose he understood
this."

"Ah, no," he admitted.  "Captain Apollo is quite traditional
when it comes
to matters of romance and such."  He gave me a wry smile.
"Actually, this
is where I gained the commander's support."

"How?"  I was incredulous.

"Well, I laid out the facts.  The unavoidable truth that
we've faced a
drastic population reduction and could find ourselves
completely obliterated
tomorrow.  Nothing's certain and nothing's the same.  And I
used the figures
that you and Reyana used with me, about how we've got an
imbalance of males
versus females, about how - genetically - we might have to
forgo
traditional, monogamous relationships if we are to survive."

"And?"

"It turns out that the commander - as I should have known! -
had already
considered all of this.  He's very much aware of our current
situation, of
course, and he's always thinking of the future.  He simply
hadn't brought
any of this up because people, even a yahren later, are
still recovering
from the shock of the Holocaust.  He didn't think they'd be
receptive to
something so radical.  I mean, he'd have to bring it up with
the Council of
Twelve, first."

"Oh, Lords,"  I whispered, covering my mouth.

"They'd probably keel over with heart attacks right then and
there.  Talk
about 'stanch and traditional'!"

"So . . . what happened?"  I was feeling a growing relief, a
glimmer of hope
that what we had in mind might actually be . . . accepted -
by some, at any
rate.

"Apollo eventually conceded that I wasn't being a total
louse or cretin and
agreed to withhold any further judgment on my moral
character - or lack
thereof - for now.  The commander words,"  Starbuck said
with a wink, "were,
'Why am I not surprised that's it's *you* who's one of the
first to be
willing to give this sort of arrangement a try?'"

I had to laugh.  I couldn't quite believe it, but I
certainly didn't see him
fabricating a tale like this.  So we even had the
commander's approval, more
or less.  It was beyond comprehension!

"Does that put your mind at ease?"  Starbuck asked.  He had
moved in closer
and was offering me a hand down from the seat.

I nodded as I took his hand and jumped down.  There were no
more barriers.
No more excuses.  We were not going to be reprimanded  later
or interrupted
right now.  We were alone, surrounded by a myriad of
brilliant stars, just
the two of us.  So why was I so nervous all of a sudden?  I
was fidgeting.
Maybe the fact this was actually the first time that I had
ever felt this
strongly  or had been in this sort of situation with a man
had something to
do with it.  After all, even up until we climbed the ladder
into the
celestial dome, everything seemed like a fantasy, a dream.
But that fantasy
had every chance of becoming reality now.  I felt eager,
excited, extremely
nervous and totally terrified.  And I did *not* want
Starbuck to know that I
had never done this before . . .

Starbuck, I hoped, figured I was just nervous considering
all of the social
mores were about to break, at least after he had his date
with Reyana the
next evening. He led me around to the other side of the
rotating control
console where he had arranged a picnic dinner, with a plate
of proteins,
carbos, and mushies and a bottle of ambrosa laid out on a
blanket.  Still,
Starbuck knew I was uneasy.  "Look,"  he said, "no pressure,
okay?  We'll
only do what you feel comfortable doing.  I promise."  He
smiled and popped
the cork off the ambrosa.  "Here's to setting new
traditions,"  he said,
taking a long swig from the bottle before handing it to me.

I took a careful sip.  If I was going to relax, it would be
without any
alcoholic influences.  I wanted this to be perfect, perfect.
And it was.
Or would be, if only I weren't so tense.

Starbuck offered me the plate and I took a protein cube.  "I
know you met
Reyana," he said, "after the Great Destruction.  I'm
curious, though, about
how you two became such close friends.  You seem very
different."

I have to admit that the lieutenant knows how to put a
person at ease.  As I
told him our story, about how we'd found ourselves crammed
in with about 300
other refugees on the freighter Virgus, about how we'd ended
up, somehow,
defending each other during a riot caused by food shortages,
about how after
that, we gradually became inseparable, I began to relax.  I
told him that we
had had similar fates - losing *everyone* in our families,
and that although
we were opposites in many ways, we seemed to complement each
other.
Starbuck nodded and smiled at that.  And I remembered how he
and Captain
Apollo - definitely two opposites! - were such close
friends.

As we talked and ate the food and sipped at the ambrosa, I
eventually let
Starbuck move closer.  He put his arm around me, and it felt
so warm and so
safe.  With the stars shining all around us, it felt
wonderful; I had not
felt this happy since long before the Holocaust.

And then he told me his story, about how he had grown up in
orphanages and
on the streets of Caprica, eventually enlisting in the
Colonial service
before he ended up in too much trouble from all of the cons
and gambling
schemes he in which he had inevitably always gotten
involved.  He described
how he had befriended the most unlikely of friends - the
commander's son.
He spoke so casually about what must have been a very
difficult childhood; I
realized just how strong and enduring his character was -
just how, how good
he was at heart.  I admired him tremendously.

Finally, he pulled me close again, so close.  He turned so
that he could
lean in and kiss my forehead, my ear, my cheek . . . my
lips.  I melted into
his embrace, feeling the passion, the growing desire, the
readiness to let
the Fates take their course.

Lords, help me, but it was he who pulled back this time,
holding my face
gently with his hands and gazing into my eyes.  "Are you
sure?" he asked.
"Are you sure about this?  You have to be sure," he said
softly.  "Because I
would very much like to . . ."  His voice trailed off as he
gazed at me, and
a frown crept across his face.

Oh, no!  I realized that I was blushing, blushing like a
schoolgirl, like -

"Oh, frak," he whispered and sat back.  "You've never - I
mean, is this your
first time to . . .?"  He looked suddenly quite nervous.
"Look, I'd just
assumed that since, well, you both were so, so, uh, content
to try this
arrangement, I assumed that you both had, uh, experience in
these matters."
He was looking everywhere but straight at me and he was
running his hand
through his hair.   "Maybe, since this is just our first
time out, maybe we
should just take things, you know, a bit more slowly.  I
don't want you to
feel, to feel -"

"No!"  I said and pulled him back to me.  "I'm certain this
is what I want.
Positive.  Look, I've had two long sectons to think about
this, too."  I put
my hands behind his ears, caressing his neck.  My face was
centimetrons from
his.  "I've never been *more* certain about anything."  I
kissed him,
fervently, so afraid that he would back down.  I was
breathing in long,
slow, deep breaths as I embraced him tightly.  For a moment,
just a moment,
he held back, but only for a moment.  After a few microns,
he let go of all
reservations.

Slowly, tenderly, passionately, fantasy became reality.

******
Aliana had gotten into the barracks late.  She didn't
say much about the date, just smiled at me from her
bunk before she rolled over and went to sleep.   I
didn't really ask much either.  I guess I could have
been jealous, but instead I felt happy.  It was nice
to see a smile on Aliana's face, a true smile.  She
had confided in me a long time ago that she had never,
and at one time was actually waiting until she got
sealed.  But something about almost dying on a barren
rock made her change her mind about a lot of things.
It was like overnight she had turned into a "live for
the moment" kind of gal.

We had simulator training that morning, to go over
together as a squadron what had gone wrong on the
planet.  They ran us through more simulations for
planet side landings.  Of course in a simulator I did
great.  So how come it didn't work that way in
reality?  They finally had to kick me out of the
simulator for lunch.  Lt. Boomer was nice about it
though, telling me that it didn't matter how many
simulations I ran, you just couldn't always predict
what would happen.

I only agreed to go to lunch because I wanted to talk
with Aliana.  I wanted to hear all the details that
had her floating through the day.  She even completely
ignored all the nasty comments that Nikki and Shyra
tried to send her way.  They rolled off Aliana's back
like water.  Starbuck had tactfully kept his distance
from both Aliana and me.  But the lack of contact was
almost more noticeable than if he had paid us extra
attention.  Every time he came to help or comment on
Aliana's progress, he smiled, but not his usual for
public smile.  It was something else, something I'd
never seen before.

We got our trays of food and sat off by ourselves.  I
expected her to start gushing about what a good time
she had, but instead she said something that
completely unnerved me.

"The Commander knows about us!"  She whispered.

"WHAT!"  I almost yelled it I was so shocked.  She
motioned for me to lower my voice.  "What do you mean
the Commander knows?  What about us?  You and me, or,
or.*us*."

"Starbuck, you and me!"  She hissed.

I admit, I wanted to die.  Just to slide underneath
the table and melt into the deck plates.   Aliana
rushed on, oblivious to the fact that I was completely
embarrassed.

"But it's okay.  The Commander's not against it.  In
fact, he said he was trying to find some way to bring
the subject up with the Council of Twelve and the
general public."

"The subject being *us*?"  I said shocked.

"No, well, not exactly.  It seems he's not so old he
can't see the same things we see.  I mean, men are
pretty scarce around here unless you are on the
Galactica.  I mean, you said straight out it's one of
the reasons you wanted to become a Warrior.  Increase
your dating potential is how I think you put it.  The
Commander has noticed that there aren't many men left
in the fleet and death rates are higher than birth
rates and that needs to be changed.  Starbuck had a
conversation with the Commander and Captain Apollo,
and."

"Captain Apollo knows too?  Wait a minute, what did
you just say about the Council of Twelve?"  I asked
numb with shock.

Aliana continued to fill me in and I got the general
concept that we had somehow received the Commander's
approval to proceed with our new arrangement, although
quietly.  But in the pit of my stomach I felt sick.
The reality of all this was almost too much.  We had
become too public too quick.  Fun and games are one
thing, but this was serious stuff now if the Commander
was involved.  I guess I always knew that we were
skirting the rules and regs, but I never thought about
the reality of it.  I had just been working all this
out in my own little simulation, and as I had recently
learned, simulations can often be radically different
from the real thing.

Aliana prattled on about what a wonderful evening it
had been, and something about a celestial chamber, but
I wasn't really paying attention.  I was happy for
her, but my mind was running fast to figure out how we
were going to deal with the public aspects of all
this.  We had already taken a lot of ribbing from our
fellow cadets, and plenty of veiled insults.  I wasn't
sure if I could take any more.

Aliana caught that I was only half listening.

"I freaked you out with the Commander thing, didn't
I?"

"Uh yeah!"  I answered sarcastically.

"You know, that's just like you.  I talked until I was
blue in the face about how we could get Starbuck in
trouble and you just kept telling me `No worries.  No
problems.'   And now that I'm telling you that it's
all worked out and fine, you start to worry!"

She would have lectured at me longer, but it was time
to go back to class.  I was so looking forward to
running more simulations. I felt like trying extra
hard to crash, you know, to see how smashed up the
simulator would let me get.  Starbuck caught up to me
while I was waiting my turn over in the corner by
myself.

"I'll meet you after class in the landing bay.  I
can't wait, it will be fun!"

I don't remember what I said to him.  I had actually
forgotten that we had a date, and wasn't even sure I
could go through with it.  But I knew if I didn't go,
I'd get an even longer lecture from Aliana.  So she
had me pegged.  I guess my style is more suited to
sneaking around.

I made it through class.  I have to admit Lt. Boomer
gave me an odd look when I thrust my simulated engines
and plowed my simulated viper into the simulated
planet.  He asked me if I had gotten it out of my
system and would I like to try it again.  I said no,
but he started the simulator up again anyway, and
according to the readings I performed a perfect
landing.  Yeah, what does a machine know anyway?  Lt.
Boomer did say that maybe I was done in the simulator
for a while.

Aliana lectured me all the way back to the barracks.
"What was that all about?  You know better than that!"

"I know, I just wanted to have some fun with it.
Besides, it's not like it's real."  I replied
flippantly.

"It's how we learn to do the real thing.  Without
simulators we would be out there with no experience.
If we didn't have the experience we may have crashed
on that planet."

"Uh, Aliana, we did crash!  The hangar crew keeps
giving me dirty looks for messing up a new viper.  I
bet I get the scummiest one next time!"

"Yes, but we could have crashed and died instantly.
It was our training that got us through the ordeal."

Aliana continued on, but I wasn't listening.  She was
right, I know.  I just wasn't in the mood.  I had
other things on my mind.

She didn't stop until she was interrupted by one of
the other cadets coming up to tell us that Lt.
Starbuck wanted to see me.

"Oh yeah, we have a date."  I said.  Aliana gave me a
strange look, but I didn't give her a chance to ask me
what was wrong.  I headed straight for the corridor
outside the cadet quarters.

"Hey Starbuck."  I said, trying to sound cheerful.

"Hey Reyana, about tonight.  I'm really sorry, but I
have to cancel.  They changed the duty roster and I've
got a picket patrol and I promise I'll make it up to
you."  He was talking fast and had a pleading look on
his face.

I had never seen Starbuck this way.  He looked really
worried actually.  That kind of threw me.  I had yet
to see him worried, not like this.  We had been
through a cylon attack, tylium leaks, a freezing cold
night on an alien talking planet, but this worried
look was new.  He nearly danced from foot to foot.

"The duty roster is posted if you don't believe me.  I
am really sorry about this.  I know it's not fair, I
mean, Aliana and I, and the deal was for you and I.
But I couldn't get anybody to switch with me."

I stopped Starbuck before he could say anymore.  I
hated to see him like this, like he was being tortured
or something.   "Hey, it's alright.  I believe you!
Duty comes first, it's okay."

Starbuck looked at the deck, quickly up at me, then
back to the deck again.  "I am sorry.  I tried to
switch with Bojay, but he said he didn't want to do a
double, and I can't track down Jolly."

"Starbuck, it's okay!  I understand!  Would you look
at me?"  Starbuck slowly looked up from the floor and
with a sheepish look on his face.  "I know duty comes
first.  You know Starbuck, I had this instructor once,
and on the first day of class he said,  'Duty comes
first. Everything else, friends, family, lovers, all
come last. The Service is your family, your viper is
your lover and I'm your best friend.'   Do you
remember that, because I do."

"Man I hate it when my own words come back to bite
me!"   He said smiling.  Then he flashed me the
apologetic face again.  "I really am sorry."

"Would you stop that?  I mean, I like you Starbuck,
but I love to fly too.  I would skip a date with you
to fly anytime."  I said reaching out to rub his arm
to make him feel better.

"Not the date I have planned."  He flashed me a coy
grin.

"Well, maybe I would.  Depends on what you had
planned."  I teased back.  "I can't think of a single
romantic spot on this big barge."

"Oh I can find one or two.  But I was thinking maybe
we'd play some cards first."

"Are you trying to win back your cubits?  Because I
already spent them on the dress I'm going to wear."  I
grinned at him.

"Maybe I'll have to play you for that dress."
Starbuck gave me one of his famous smiles.

"I bet it would look good on you.  Don't you have a
patrol or something?"  I teased.

"Oh yeah, I gotta go.  I really am sorry."

He gave me the sheepish look again and I just wanted
to smack him!

"Stop that and get out of here!"  I said, but was
laughing so he'd know I wasn't serious.

"Okay."  He started to walk away, then turned around
smiling again, "But you said you liked me."

"I will never admit that unless you come through on
that date."  I threatened.

"Oh, I'll come through.  You said you liked me, you
said you liked me."  He continued in a sing song voice
as he walked down the corridor.

I shook my head in mock disgust.  I had to admit I was
relieved to not be going on a date with Starbuck
tonight.  I needed to think.  But after seeing him,
and joking with him, I was kind of disappointed.

It took three more cycles before we had the chance to
get together again.  Between his schedule and mine it
just didn't seem to happen, and that was fine.  Except
for Aliana constantly worrying about it.  I teased her
at one point that she just wanted us to go out so she
could have him again.  She vehemently denied it, and I
felt relieved that that wasn't the real reason.  I
knew her better than that, but she was on me
constantly to clear up my schedule and get my studying
done.  I was starting to wonder what her motive was.
But she finally confessed to me that she was worried I
would back out of the whole thing, and she wasn't sure
if she could do this without me.  That took me a
little by surprise, but I had to admit, I probably
couldn't have gone through with a date alone with
Starbuck without her backing me up.

Starbuck kept apologizing to me every chance he got,
and then getting this really odd relieved look every
time I yelled at him to stop it.  I guess he's not
used to women who understand that duty comes first.


*******

We finally were able to meet up one day after class.
I rushed back to the barracks to change and met him at
the landing bay just like he said.  He had teased me
so often about what a nice date he had planned that I
was finally excited about the date instead of dreading
it.

Starbuck was there waiting for me in his dress
uniform.  He openly gaped at me when he saw the dress
I was wearing.  It wasn't as revealing as the one from
our night on the Rising Star, but it was a nice one.

"Wow, I would have worn something nicer too, but
someone stole all my cubits."  Starbuck said taking my
arm in his.

"And you're not getting them back."  I said batting my
eyes at him.

"At least the money was well spent.  Well, why don't
we go steal someone else's money?  The shuttle for the
Rising Star is leaving soon."  He escorted me to the
shuttle and we entered the packed shuttle arm in arm.

I think all of blue squadron was there, as well as
many of the cadets.  So much for sneaking around, I
thought to myself.  I suddenly became very conscious
of the whole situation, but Starbuck firmly kept my
arm in his and found us seats.  He held my hand once
we were seated.  He didn't seem to notice how quiet
and nervous I was as he kept going on about the system
Aliana and I had used on him and how he thought he had
worked out the flaws.  I was starting to relax and
sink into the reality of actually being on a date with
Starbuck.  It was kind of exciting!  He did look so
handsome in his dress uniform.  He looks good in a
cape.  The gold trim went well with his hair and made
his blue eyes stand out.  It was nice to talk to
someone about something other than flying and war.

We were deep in a heated discussion of the pros and
cons on one of the three systems Aliana and I had
tried on him that fateful night on the Rising Star,
when Shyra and Nikki came up to us.

"So Starbuck, out tonight with one from your harem?"
Shyra said with an insipid smile on her face.

I flushed with embarrassment and felt my blood start
to boil.

Starbuck didn't even flinch or look in their
direction.  "Just ignore them."  He muttered to me.
Neither of them had taken the hint, and still stood in
front of us.  I turned and glared at them.

"What Reyana, can't cut it as a pilot, so sleeping
your way to a good grade?"  Nikki added.

I was up like a shot and reached out and shoved Nikki.
 I know it wasn't a wise move, there I was in heels,
and she was still in uniform.  Those boots do stick to
the deck well.  I guess it was a good thing she didn't
budge or it would have really drawn attention to us.

"Tsk tsk tsk,"  Shyra said to me.  "You wouldn't want
us to ruin that dress before you had your chance to
earn a better grade."

I wanted to pulverize her!  Starbuck stood up and
grabbed my arm as I pulled back for the first punch.
Thank the lords he has a strong grip, because I swear
I tried to break free.

"Reyana, relax."  He whispered, his lips brushing my
ear.  He pulled me back towards him wrapping his arms
around me.  "Okay girls, you've had your fun.  Now
move on."  Starbuck almost sounded friendly.

Nikki and Shyra smiled at him like maneaters.
"Starbuck, you just let us know anytime your ready for
a real woman."

"Is there a problem here?"  Said the security guard,
who must have noticed me trying to shove Nikki.

"No Reese, not a problem."  Starbuck said annoyed.
"Just having a little chat with my cadets, right
Ladies?"

"Oh right.  Have a fun evening Reyana."  Nikki said
sweetly.

"Anytime Starbuck, anytime."  Shyra said just as
sweet, but it sounded sour to my ears.

"See Reese, no need for your protection."  Starbuck
said.   Starbuck waited until the security guard
ambled off before he relaxed his grip on me.  He still
held me, but not as tight.  I stood there for a few
centons just taking deep breaths and trying to calm
down.  "Relax."  He whispered again, brushing my ear
with his lips in a kiss.  In my angry state, it sent a
shiver down my spine.

"Stop that."  I pulled away from him, and he tightened
his grip.

"Not until you calm down."

"People are staring."

"So calm down and have a seat."

I sighed and relaxed, and Starbuck released his grip
and guided me to my seat.  We sat there for a while as
I tried to calm down.  Starbuck started to chuckle,
then to laugh.  I tried to ignore him, but it was
getting to me.

"What?"  I snapped.

"Oh, you have a temper!"  Starbuck teased me, as he
reached over to tickle me.

"And you find that funny?"  I was still angry and
annoyed.

"Yeah, I do."  He laughed at his own private joke.  "I
like learning new things about you."

"Oh yeah, well I'm going to teach you a few new things
tonight."  I turned and smiled at him, running my
finger down the line of his jaw, down his neck,
tracing my way to the middle of his chest.  Then I
poked him.  "At the card table.  Your cubits are
mine!"

He laughed.  "Oh you think so?"

"Yes, I do."   I replied

"Well maybe I'll let you win again.  It worked out in
my favor last time."

"Oh you think so?"

Starbuck reached up to my shoulder and ran his finger
down the line of my dress, following the neckline
around and down to where it plunged.  "I'll be
collecting my winnings later.  Nice fabric by the
way."

Starbuck's gaze was so hot I melted.    I lost myself
in his deep blue eyes.  They twinkled as he started to
smile.

I smiled back.  "I'm sure it will look good on you."

"As long as it's off you."  He sat back and pulled a
fumarello out of his sleeve.  "Now I'm thinking
between me and you we should be able to take at least
every other hand, so if we spread our cubits out just
right, we should make a killing."  The air was filled
with the sweet smoke as he detailed our plans for the
evening.


*****

Starbuck was right.  We had the flaws worked out and
had a wonderful time beating dealer after dealer.  The
waitresses kept bringing us free drinks to try to slow
us down.  But we were invincible.  They finally shut
the table down on us, claiming that we were too drunk
and they couldn't serve us anymore.  We had been
talking about leaving for about a centaur anyway, but
Starbuck wanted to see if they really would shut the
table on us.  He said then we'd know we had really
beat them.  We didn't win all that much, but it was
more cubits than I had seen since the destruction.

Most of them went to securing a private room.
Starbuck was very coy about it, telling the host that
since they had shut the tables on us because we were
too drunk then they had an obligation to provide us a
place to sleep it off.  Somehow I think that gray
haired gentlemen knew we weren't going to be doing
much sleeping.

The room was nice, and I was pleasantly warmed by all
the ambrosia I had consumed.   I walked over to the
viewport and gazed at the stars as Starbuck finished
paying the host.  I was lost in the stars when
Starbuck came up behind me wrapping his arms around me
and nuzzled into my neck.

"Mmmmm, this is nice.  Thanks, I needed this."

"My pleasure."  He answered and started kissing my
neck.  I swear I purred.

Then suddenly he pulled back, and spun me around.  He
tried to sober up for a moment and gave me a serious
look.  "Okay, I have to ask."

But then he didn't say anything.  Just stood there
looking serious.

"What?"  I finally asked.  "Am I sure?  I'm totally
sure about this.  I thought we already covered this?"
I said reaching to pull him close.

"No, not that."  He said backing away.  "I have to
ask."  But then he didn't say anything more.

"Ask what?  I'm confused."

Starbuck reached up and ran his fingers through his
hair.  "I have to ask, um, well."

"Well what?"  He reached to run his fingers through
his hair again and I grabbed his hand.  "What?"

He looked everywhere but at me.  "This isn't your."
He hesitated.

"My what?  You know, you shouldn't drink.  It makes
you loopy."

"I'm not drunk!  Look, this isn't your first is it?"

He looked so uncomfortable as he said it.  I couldn't
help myself and burst out laughing.  Now it was his
turn to be confused.

"What?"

I just kept laughing and started to pull him close.

"No, you answer me first."  Starbuck said trying to
pull away from me.  I reached out and grabbed the edge
of his cape pulling him in.

"It's not funny!"  He protested.  I reached out and
tickled him.  Starbuck tensed, grabbed my hands, and
got right up in my face.  "I'm serious, I need to
know!"

He scared me a little so it took me a moment to
answer, but he didn't seem to have plans to let me go
until I did.

"No, it's not."  I said softly.  "But the last guy was
a while ago, and it was pretty serious.  So let's keep
this fun, okay?"

He practically melted as he relaxed.  He slowly moved
his hands from a grab to a gentle hold, and leaned in
for a very long passionate kiss.  Somehow I wound up
with my arms around him and my hands in his hair. His
arms wrapped around me once again holding me tight.
It felt like centaurs before we both pulled back.
Starbuck brushed my ear with his lips, sending a
shiver through me as he said, "Let's have some fun."

Then he reached down and tickled me.  It didn't take
me long before I had him pinned on the bed, I am the
better tickler after all.  And then we had some fun!

****

So I guess we did use the room to sleep it off,
because I remember Starbuck waking me up to remind me
I had to get back to the Galactica before curfew.  He
started off nice and easy, with soft kisses and
ruffling my hair.  He said something about how cute I
looked sleeping, and I told him he'd better just let
me be cute.  He finally had to order me to get up.
That bed was so nice and soft, and I didn't want to
the night to end.  But Starbuck was relentless,
literally dragging me out of bed.

We made it just in time for the last shuttle back.  It
was nearly empty, so we sat in the back by ourselves.
He freely put his arm around me, and I laid my head on
his shoulder trying to go back to sleep.  Starbuck
caught me just as I was dozing off.

"So this guy, how long ago was it?

"About a yahren."  I said sleepily.

Starbuck thought for moment, then asked, "So how
serious was it?"

"There was a ring involved, if that's what you want to
know."

"So what happened?"  Starbuck asked.  "The
destruction?"

"Oh you know, usual story.  He was a on a training
mission for the Atlantia, just a peace envoy what
could happen.  Oh no, look! There's a wall of Cylon
fighters!"  I answered sarcastically.

"That's not funny."  Starbuck said angrily.  "I lost a
lot of good friends that way."

"Sorry."  I said "No it's not funny."

We sat there in silence for a while before he asked,
"So how did you get out of the colonies?"

I took my head from his shoulder and looked up at him.
 "You know, you are the first warrior to ask that.
Most don't want to know about how we had to scramble
to the ports.  I swear, I walked over people to make
it on that broken down freighter.  That's where I lost
the ring.  I bought my way on."

"That's not right!"  Starbuck said.

"I guess that's why you guys don't ask how we got
here.  Most of what went on then wasn't right."

Starbuck looked at me with sympathy, then drew my head
back down to his shoulder.  We sat in silence until he
asked,  "Is that where you met Aliana?"

"No.  That freighter wasn't going to make it, so they
transferred all of us to another one.  That's where I
met Aliana."

"She said something about a food riot."

"Oh yeah, now that was fun.  We ran out of food,
and...and people started dieing.  Then suddenly we had
protein cubes.  Rumors started going around that the
Galactica was turning people into food."

"That's not what happened at all!  We found people who
were hoarding food, like Sire Uri.  We would never do
that!"  Starbuck said outraged.

"Well, you've got to admit, it looked kind of bad.  No
food, people die, now there's food.  You have to
admit, it didn't look good."

"You don't honestly believe that the Galactica
canablized people?"  Starbuck pulled away and stared
at me in horror.

"No.  In fact, I didn't care.  It was food, and I
wanted to survive.  I didn't care where it came from
at that moment.  And, that's when Aliana and I met and
we swore that would never happen to us again."

Starbuck's look of horror softened back to sympathy.
"So you joined the service.  As mechanics at first,
right?  Three square meals, right?"

"Right.  Only it was fun too.  But when they opened up
the program for female pilots we didn't hesitate to
switch over.  I love flying!"

"Really?  Hmmm.  What do you like best?"  Starbuck had
a thoughtful look on his face.

"Launching.  The steel walls zipping by, and then,"  I
closed my eyes imagining it perfectly, "then openness.
 Nothing but the stars ahead.  What about you?"

"Hmmm.I like feel of the engines, knowing I'm in
control of all that power."  Starbuck said, sounding
sectors away.

"Oh yeah, that's nice too."

We spent the rest of the shuttle ride talking about
the thrill of speed and the expanse of space.  We
docked on the Galactica way too soon.  I knew I would
be feeling the effects of this night for a long time
to come.

*****