Title: Origins: A Yule Story II Author: The Twin Goddess Rating: PG Classification: SBAR, A, F Summary: A continuation of "A Yule Story." Disclaimer: These works are fiction stories based on the series Battlestar Galactica and its characters created and owned by Glen A. Larson. These stories are not being sold for profit and no infringement of any copyright rights are intended. All unrecognized characters and plot lines are mine and copyright protection is claimed. Any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. Dedication: To my co-author Melissa, thanks for the inspiration (Laura) Dedication: To those who believe in the existence of soulmates (Melissa) ~~~~~~ The micron Apollo entered his Father's quarters he was struck by the brightness. Not of the decorations his sister had hung, although those were definitely nice. No, the brightness that caught his eye was in his sister's face. And his wingmate's. The sinking feeling in his stomach insisted that it wasn't something he had considered, or was going to like. "Hey Starbuck, didn't think you would get here so soon. The room looks beautiful Athena. Great job," Apollo forced a smile onto his face. He hoped his father hadn't noticed anything strange. "Yes, this looks lovely. You're mother couldn't have done any better," Adama embraced his daughter. "I'm glad you could join us Starbuck." "It's my pleasure, Sir," Starbuck smiled at his Commander. "Where's Zac?" Apollo interrupted the greetings. "I'm right here!" Zac came in behind him. "Wow, looks great Athena, sorry I wasn't around to help you." Apollo saw his sister smile at Zac. Whatever happened between Starbuck and his sister must be serious if she wasn't berating Zac for deserting her. How in hades was he going to nip this in the bud? 'First things first,' he supposed and shot Starbuck a look indicating he wanted to speak to him in private. At least he got some satisfaction out of the fearful look on his friend's face. "What's up Apollo?" Starbuck asked, an innocent expression on his face. "How was the Council shindig?" "It was dull, as usual. Obviously I haven't had as exciting a day as you," Apollo said pointedly as he dragged Starbuck into the empty dining room. "Glad I'm not a Captain, or the Commander's son. I get out of those things," Starbuck joked. "Cut the felgercarb Starbuck. What are you doing with my sister?" Apollo demanded. "Whoa, that was to the point," Starbuck remarked, still trying to smile his way out of the discussion. Apollo's hands clenched into fists, it was all he could do not to deck his best friend. He loved Starbuck like a brother, but he knew his reputation with women. Worse, he knew how Starbuck actually treated them. And his sister was too young and naive to handle him. She would expect more than Starbuck was ever willing, or able, to give any woman. "Calm down Apollo. I wouldn't do anything to hurt her," Starbuck decided he'd better not push his friend any further for now and lay his cards on the table. "I care about her. And I don't think she's as naive as you seem to believe." "And just what does _that_ mean?" he didn't think it was possible, but Apollo was getting even angrier. "It doesn't mean anything other than the fact that Athena isn't a child anymore. She's a woman," Starbuck explained. "I know she's not a child, but she's not in your league Starbuck! She has expectations when it comes to relationships." "What does that mean? Never mind. Your sister is going to make her own decisions and nothing I say is going to convince you that my intentions towards her are honorable," Starbuck sighed in frustration. Apollo ran a hand down his face. Starbuck was partly right. His sister was going to do what she wanted, even just to spite his wishes. But that didn't mean he couldn't kick Starbuck's astrum. Or send him on deep space patrol! Starbuck leaned back against the table and waited for his friend to calm down. He knew there was no talking to him when his temper was up. Somehow he had to convince him he didn't intend to treat Athena like he did so many other women. What Apollo didn't seem to understand was that the other women didn't want more than he gave them. He never took advantage and always made sure that all players knew the rules. Athena, well, she was different. "I asked you to protect her from the other warriors, not save her for yourself," Apollo shot out. "Dammit Apollo, I've known her forever. She's very special to me. Do you really think I would use her?" Starbuck was starting to get frustrated himself. "Not intentionally, no," Apollo left the clear implication that he expected Starbuck would do it anyway. "So is this a private conversation or can anyone join?" Zac entered the room. "It's private!" Apollo answered. "Come on in," Starbuck said simultaneously. "This is supposed to be a family celebration and you two are in here arguing," Zac walked over shaking his head, as if he were the elder sibling. "So what's up?" "Nothing Zac, leave us alone. We'll be right out," Apollo ordered his brother. "Sorry Captain, we're off duty tonight. So you're worried about Starbuck making a move on our dear sister. Bet she would love to be in on this conversation," Zac crossed his arms. Starbuck bit back a grin. The situation wasn't funny, but Zac had a way of pissing his brother off even more than Starbuck could. 'This ought to be interesting,' he remained silent and watched. "Leave Athena out of this," Apollo warned his brother. "Leave her out of this?!" Zac exclaimed in surprise. "She's the whole subject of this! You're trying to run her life, again, Apollo. She's not going to be very happy," Zac walked over to his brother. "Look at her, she's glowing. It's Yule, have a heart." "You should listen to your little brother," Starbuck couldn't help himself. "Shut up Starbuck!" Apollo didn't bother looking at him. "Mind your business Zac." "This is as much my business as it is yours. Athena is my sister too and she deserves some representation here. It's her life you're discussing," Zac reminded him. "She's too naive to know what's she getting into!" Apollo began to feel outnumbered. "By whose judgment? How long has it been since you've spent any significant time with Athena? Since before she went to the Academy? She may be the youngest, but she's no child Apollo. And she's not going to appreciate your interference one bit," Zac told his older brother. He had always been closer to Athena than Apollo, partly because of their age and partly because Apollo had often treated her as an obligation and rarely acknowledged her intelligence. "I'm only trying to protect her," Apollo insisted, missing the point. "From me?! Thanks for the vote of confidence Buddy," Starbuck said ironically. "I...it's not personal," Apollo told his friend sheepishly. "How can it not be personal? You've all but accused me of wanting to use her and toss her away. I've told you I care for her. But apparently you don't believe me and never will so I suggest that this conversation end right here. It has for me. Now let's go out there and celebrate Yule. Athena is homesick and she deserves a good holiday with her family," Starbuck stood up straight and left the room. "He's right Apollo and you know it. Leave it alone. I can assure you that Athena can take care of herself. And if he treats her badly I'll be right along side you kicking his astrum. So take a few centons, calm down and come join the family," Zac told him and left. Apollo stood in the darkened room alone and tried to gather his thoughts. ~~~~~~ ‘Frak! Am I the only one who sees where this is going?!’ Apollo wondered in frustration. ‘This can only end in heartache - for all of us.’ He walked over to the portal and stared out at the stars that were the only source of illumination in the room. ‘Nobody understands my reasoning here,’ he pondered to the stars. “I know I just sound like the bad guy, the mean older brother but... my intentions are good and sincere. I’ve known Starbuck almost my entire life. I probably know him better than I know myself. I love him as if he were my blood brother and I want only happiness for him. But I don’t see him settling down with just one woman and I know that’s what Athena will expect from him.’ ‘And, in her defense,’ he turned his attention towards the door, hoping that his thoughts would scream through it, ‘she has every right to do so. Granted, I know that I haven’t been around to see her grow up over the past few yahrens but I do think I know her well enough to know what she wants out of a relationship. To know what kind of woman she is.’ Suddenly his brow furrowed and his expression turned to one of confusion. ‘That’s what I don’t understand. She knows Starbuck. She knows the kind of reputation he has. And, contrary to popular opinion, I acknowledge her intelligence to know that she could never change who he is.’ Apollo closed his eyes and let out deep breath. “I don’t know,” he sighed aloud. “Maybe I don’t know either of them at all. Zac’s right. This isn’t any of my business and I should stay out of it and see what happens.” As he started toward the door, he offered, “Who knows? Maybe they’ll end up sealed within the next few sectons and we’ll see baby Starbucks running around soon.” Apollo stopped just in front of the door and shook his head. “Who am I kidding?” he groaned. He took another deep breath and plastered on a smile as the door opened. Zac immediately glanced up and offered a questioning look. Apollo returned the inquiry with a nod telling Zac that he would not cause any trouble for their sister this evening. But inwardly, Apollo wasn’t making any promises that he wouldn’t try to talk some sense into her later, if he had the chance. He only hoped that they were not going to rush into this and that Starbuck wouldn’t pressure her into bed right away. That last thought made Apollo shiver. If there was anyone that the other pilots could count on to kiss and tell, it was Starbuck. There were rarely civilians on the Galactica and the women assigned to the battlestar knew better than to get involved with some of the more arrogant pilots. Therefore, most of them lived vicariously through Starbuck’s personal conquests and always tried to coerce him into telling every last detail. Apollo hadn’t realized it but his face had suddenly gotten redder. He would be damned if he would allow Athena’s reputation to be dragged through the mud, best friend or not! “Apollo,” a deep voice called from the couch. “Are you okay? We seemed to have lost you there for a micron.” ‘Father, if you only knew,’ Apollo thought as he turned to Adama. “I’m fine Father,” he replied, feigning a smile while he fought the urge to grab Starbuck and throw him against a wall. “Just a little... preoccupied.” Both Zac and Starbuck glared at Apollo and Adama couldn’t help but notice. Neither could Athena. Apollo squirmed uncomfortably under their scrutiny. “Is there something the three of you aren’t telling me?” Adama asked, darting his eyes towards the three younger men. Athena didn't respond to her father's question and just looked at Starbuck. She hadn’t known precisely what had taken place behind the closed door but she had a pretty good idea. She was well aware, thanks to Zac, that Apollo had “assigned” Starbuck to be her babysitter when she was transferred to the Galactica. Maybe he sensed that the job description had suddenly changed? She wondered whether Zac would continue to run interference for her with their brother. From the look on the men's faces, it appeared he was still supporting her decisions. Actually, it hadn't been all that difficult for Zac before now. They had both been pleasantly surprised that Starbuck hadn’t taken the job too seriously. He had hung around enough in the beginning to send looks of death at other warriors, warn her about some of their reputations and appease her brother. Then he had acted as a true friend as she adjusted to living off-planet and with the men in her family again. She was positive now that Apollo had finally figured out just how badly his plans had turned out, from his own point of view. Starbuck also refused to offer the answer to Adama's question. Apollo was the one insisting on letting his temper ruin their evening. 'Let him answer to the Commander,' Starbuck thought with a wry smile as he watched Athena watching him. Idly, he wondered what she saw when she looked at him. He knew when he looked at her he saw a woman with poise and a great sense of humor, which she got from her mother and which Apollo seemed to have missed out on. Lords, he couldn’t help but be captivated by this beautiful woman who one centon would coyly blush at a suggestive anecdote and the next jump in with one of her own. Her beauty and personality had made it difficult, at the beginning, to warn the other men on the ship to keep their distance from her. He usually used the excuse that dating the Commander’s daughter could be hazardous to their careers; and their health if Apollo found out. After a while, his appointed task became an imperative. Despite his self-denial, spending time with her and warning other warriors and even officers away from her began to take on the importance of a serious mission. At the beginning he had only done enough to appease Apollo. After a few sectons he found himself unable to stop himself from spending time with her. And he refused to worry about it. Apollo had asked him to after all. So what if he began to appreciate her humor, her beauty and her empathy? He had no intentions towards her anyway, he would insist to himself, they were just becoming friends, much like he was friends with Zac. So how to explain the arousal? Well, that was obvious. The little girl he once knew had blossomed into one of the hottest women in the Colonies. He couldn't blame any of the other men on board for wanting her. He hadn't even noticed that he had been turning down dates over the past few sectons. It wasn't until Boomer had brought up his lack of social life, outside Athena, that it hit him like a Triad body check - he had fallen in love with her. Not the "Commander's daughter." Not his "best friend's sister." He was in love with the beautiful, intelligent woman who was a rising bridge officer and pilot. The woman who brought out the best in him and accepted him for who he was without the brash and cocky warrior persona that the other pilots expected from him. She made him feel completely comfortable. He wondered, suddenly insecure, whether she felt as deeply for him as he did her. Apollo stood stiffly, watching his friend and his sister gaze at each other. It had only been microns since Adama had inquired about the somewhat tense atmosphere between the three young men but the short lull was extremely uncomfortable to him. But God help him, he couldn't dredge up a civilized answer. Zac just sat back and folded his arms with an amused smile on his face. “Not at all Sir,” Starbuck finally shook off his thoughts and broke the silence. “Just a little disagreement between warriors that we’ll work out later.” Everyone in the room realized that Starbuck’s last statement had been more of a demand than a request and, in the interests of all during the holiday, Apollo nodded his agreement. Adama, for his part, smiled knowingly. “Good,” he said shortly, his tone clearly expressing his desire for an amicable evening with his children. Apollo translated the message his father was sending loud and clear. He would brook no petty arguments on this family holiday. 'If he only knew this wasn't petty. If he knew that Starbuck was about to make his daughter his next conquest!' Apollo turned away and pretended to busy himself with the task of making drinks for everyone. As he stared at the opaque concoction in front of him he tried to get his thoughts under control. He took a sip of the holiday staple - ovalait - and grimaced as it hit his taste buds. He could never stand the stuff, but it was virtually a holiday requirement in his family. Unfortunately, his disgust with the holiday drink only momentarily distracted him from his thoughts. With a sinking feeling he realized he'd better tread lightly if he wanted to prevent Starbuck from walking Athena to her quarters tonight. More than anything, he wanted to handle this without alerting his father or pushing his baby sister into doing something foolish to spite him. He was sure once the magic of the holiday and her homesickness passed, she would come to her senses. END