"Yes, Apollo, Boomer. I have a mission for the two of you. I want you to go to one of the planets in this system - it doesn't have a name in any of our charts - to see if it is suitable for colonization."
Boomer looked surprised. "Colonization by whom, Commander?" he inquired.
"Some of the refugees have requested permission to break from the fleet and colonize a planet if we find a suitable one. This one," - Adama indicated a planetoid on the star chart laid out on his desk -"has an atmosphere suitable for humans. But we don't have any information on its terrain, on it climate, or even if there could be inhabitants there already."
"We're not diplomats, Commander," Apollo pointed out. "Why send warriors on a first-contact mission?"
"Because we don't know what's down there," was Adama's reply. "There could be people there who don't take kindly to outsiders dropping in on them suddenly. There could be dangerous animals. There are too many unknowns for a simple diplomatic mission."
"Understood," said Apollo.
"When do you want us to leave?" Boomer asked.
"Tomorrow at approximately 1300 hours is when we will be in range," Adama answered, studying the chart.
"Will that be all?" Apollo asked, still polite and formal.
"Yes, it will be, thank you, gentlemen. Dismissed." Then he added, "And Apollo, remind Starbuck that I expect both of you and Boxey for dinner tonight."
"Yes, Father," Apollo answered with a laugh. "I'll tell him."
As they left the Commander's office, Boomer turned to his friend. "So how's married life treating you, buddy?" he asked.
Apollo grinned. "Boom, it's better than I could have imagined My only regret is that Starbuck and I can't fly together anymore. Not that you aren't a good wingman," he added.
Boomer slapped Apollo's back. "I know that I can't replace the love of your life," he laughed. "But you know that there's a good reason for the two of you not to fly together. You'd both be too distracted keeping an eye on each other to carry out your duties."
"Yeah, I know. I just miss hearing his voice on the radio when I'm out there on patrol, you know?"
"But you do get to go home to him afterwards," Boomer mentioned.
"Speaking of going home, I'd better get there and remind Starbuck and Boxey of our dinner engagement. See you tomorrow, Boom-Boom."
"See you, Apollo."
----------------------------
The next day as Apollo was preparing to leave, Starbuck said sadly, "I wish I was going with you."
Apollo kissed him. "I know, but the Commander specifically asked me and Boomer. You know the rules."
"Yeah, I do. Since when have I ever cared about rules? Seriously, though, I hope there's nothing dangerous on that planetoid."
Just then the communications panel on the wall beeped. "Apollo here," the Captain answered.
"Apollo, it's Boomer. Listen, I just got a message that I'm needed on the Rising Star - urgently. Can you manage without me? Or wait until I get back?"
"Starbuck and I will manage, Boomer. You go take care of whatever the trouble is. We'll see you in the Officer's Club later."
"See you later, then. Boomer out."
Apollo turned to his lover. "Well, looks like you got your wish after all. Boomer just got called away. How about you and I go explore a planet?"
Starbuck whooped and headed to the viper bay with Apollo at his side.
----------------------
Boomer arrived on the Rising Star and approached the head waiter, who was setting up for the midday meal. "I'm Lieutenant Boomer. I got a message that someone here needed to see me. Do you know who it would be?"
"No, sir," said the bored-sounding waiter. "I shall ask the manager if he knows." He left and went to the manager's office. Several centons later, he returned. "As far as anyone here knows, there is no one who asked for you. You may ask around if you like, but please try not to disturb the guests."
Boomer snorted at the stuffy man's retreating back. Then he started questioning the other staff and the guests. No one had sent the message. Boomer swore and ran for the next shuttle back to the Galactica.
When he arrived, Apollo and Starbuck had already left for the planet below. "Oh well, at least they got to fly together," he muttered to himself and headed for the officer's quarters.
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Apollo and Starbuck strapped themselves into their vipers and prepared for takeoff.
Apollo's radio crackled. " 'Pol?" came Starbuck's voice. "Have I told you today that I love you?"
Apollo chuckled. "I believe you have, several times. Why?"
"I don't know, just felt like saying it. I love you, 'Pol."
"I love you too, Bucko. Let's get this over with and then I'll show you just how much."
"You have a date, Captain."
"I do? Well, I hope it's with my incredibly handsome wingman," laughed Apollo.
"You have a handsome wingman? I'm jealous. Where do I get me one of those?" asked Starbuck.
"Look in the viper to your left, Lieutenant."
Starbuck did so. "Well, whaddaya know? I *do* have a handsome wingman. When did I get so lucky?"
"Last night, the night before, the night before that..."
Starbuck laughed. "I get the point. Let's hurry up so I can get lucky again soon."
"You got it," said the Captain, and they took off.
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The planet seemed deserted. No inhabitants, a few small animals, sparse vegetation. Not exactly paradise, but some determined colonists could probably make a go of it if they tried.
"You think we'll ever find Earth, Apollo?" asked Starbuck as they headed back to their vipers.
"Someday. Maybe not in our lifetime, but maybe in Boxey's."
"How do you think the people of Earth will react to other humans suddenly dropping in on them from space?"
Apollo shrugged. "Depends. Depends on whether or not the Earth people have space travel. Whether they've had contact with other worlds before. And what kind of contact they've had."
Starbuck took Apollo's hand. "And how do you think they'd react to people like us? Two men or two women as lovers?"
"They're humans, aren't they? Same sex relations may not be common, but they're a normal variation in human sexuality. I don't see why they would have a problem with it. They probably have a few people here and there who don't approve, same as we have, but I don't imagine it's a big deal."
Starbuck stopped walking and pulled Apollo close to him. The two lovers kissed. "C'mon," said Starbuck. "I'll race you back to the vipers. Loser serves the winner breakfast in bed."
"I can think of better things to do with you in bed than eating breakfast," said Apollo as he ran to catch up to his lover.
Suddenly a pair of Cylon warriors appeared from behind the two vipers. One took aim at Apollo. Starbuck screamed "NO!" and jumped in front of the Captain, taking the full impact of the blast from the Cylon's weapon. Apollo quickly grabbed his pistol and destroyed the two Cylons, then dropped to the ground beside Starbuck.
"Starbuck! Starbuck, you can't leave me, please! I love you, Starbuck!"
The lieutenant didn't move. Apollo went to his viper and radioed the Galactica to send a medical team immediately.
After what seemed to Apollo to be yahrens - but was really only a few centons - a shuttle arrived carrying Dr. Salik, Cassiopia, Sheba and Boomer. Sheba and Boomer had volunteered to fly the two vipers back to the Galactica so that Apollo could ride in the shuttle with Starbuck.
Cassie gently moved her brother-in-law away from his unconscious husband so that the doctor could work on him.
"There isn't much I can do here. We need to get him back to the Galactica," said the doctor. Cassie unrolled a portable stretcher and helped Dr Salik carry Starbuck in to the shuttle. Then she took Apollo's arm and led him into the shuttle, sitting him near Starbuck but not close enough to be in the way. He just sat, looking stunned. Cassie thought her heart would break, watching him. She had been sealed to Apollo's sister Athena at the same time Apollo and Starbuck had been sealed. She considered that day to be one of the happiest of her life, being sealed to the woman she loved as well as seeing two of her friends so happy. And now this had happened. How could the gods be so cruel as to take another mate from Apollo so soon after he had found him? She thought of the time when Serena had died. Starbuck had been there to help Apollo and Boxey through their grief. Who would be there for the two of them if Starbuck died? She would be, and Athena, but would they - could they be enough? Could anything be enough?
Before they'd realized their mutual feelings for each other, Starbuck and Apollo had been alone. Starbuck's many women - herself included - had not been able to fill the void in him that could only be filled by Apollo. Apollo hadn't even tried. Everyone had assumed he was grieving Serena, and had pretty much left him alone. Since their sealing the two men had been happier than anyone could remember seeing them. What would happen to Apollo without his lifemate?
Once on board Galactica the wounded pilot was rushed to the life center. Athena, Boxey and Adama were there waiting. Apollo didn't want to face them. He wanted to close his eyes and hope that when he opened them he would discover that this had all been a bad dream and that Starbuck was sleeping beside him in their bed. But that wasn't going to happen.
Were the Lords punishing him for something? Why were the people he loved always taken from him? He'd already lost his mother, his brother and his wife to the Cylons. Was he now going to lose Starbuck too? He fought back tears. He didn't want to frighten Boxey. The boy had already lost his mother. He didn't want Boxey to think that his second father was already dead. There was still a chance he would survive. Apollo tried to keep reminding himself of that fact.
Boxey ran to his father. "Dad? Is Starbuck...."
"He's still alive, Boxey. Doctor Salik is doing everything he can. All we can do now is wait. And pray."
"No!" exclaimed Boxey vehemently. "I will NOT pray."
Surprised at his son's outburst, Apollo asked, "Why not, Boxey?"
"Because it won't do any good! I prayed that my mother wouldn't die, and she did. Why would the Lords of Kobol care about Starbuck? They didn't care about my Mom."
"Boxey, the Lords weren't responsible for what happened to your mother. The Cylons were. I don't know why she had to die, any more than I know why my mother or Zac had to die. But you know what? They didn't leave you alone. You still have me, and your grandfather, and Athena and Cassie. And the Lords gave us Starbuck - at least for a little while. I hope and pray they let us keep him."
"Do I have to pray?" asked Boxey petulantly.
"No, Boxey. I think the Lords will understand if you don't want to," Apollo reassured him. He glanced up at his father, who didn't show any disapproval. Good. He'd just said what came in to his head. He didn't want the Commander to think he was being disrespectful of their gods.
Cassiopia emerged from the operating room and went to Athena's side. She hugged her mate then turned to the rest of her family. "Doctor Salik is just finishing up. He'll be out in a minute to tell you what's happening. Starbuck is still alive," she added.
Apollo finally released the tears he'd been holding back. His sister went to him and put her arms around him. "He'll be all right," she said. "He's a fighter. He's a warrior, just like you."
Dr Salik emerged next. "Well, the Lieutenant is either incredibly stubborn or incredibly lucky," he said.
Apollo had to smile. "He's both."
"The fact that he survived is proof of that," said the doctor. "It was touch and go for awhile, but I think he will be all right. His recovery will take a while, but I see he has a family here to take care of him. That is a big point in his favour."
"Can I see him?" asked Apollo.
"Very well, Captain. Try not to disturb him. I won't ask you not to stay too long because I have the feeling that once you get near him, you won't be going anywhere until he's ready to go home with you."
"You have that right, Doctor," said Apollo.
"Well, I suggest that the rest of you make sure that Captain Apollo is supplied with a change of clothes every so often, otherwise he will start to smell up the place. And Captain, a few breaks to take a shower once in awhile would be advisable. Now go to your husband."
Apollo turned to his family. "Cassie, Thena...would you.."
"Yes, we'll take Boxey home with us. That all right with you, Boxey?" asked Athena.
"Can I see Starbuck first?" he asked.
"You most certainly can. Then you have to go with Aunt Athena and Aunt Cassie, because I have to stay here and look after Starbuck, okay?" said Apollo. "But you can come back tomorrow after school and see him again."
"I'll come see him every day until we can take him home," Boxey announced.
"I'm sure he wouldn't have it any other way," said Apollo, and took Boxey in to see his other father.
Boxey moved to Starbuck's bedside. "Starbuck?" he said softly.
"He's still asleep, Boxey. He probably will be for a while," said Apollo.
"I love you, Starbuck. I'm glad that you're my second father. Get better and come home, okay?" He kissed Starbuck's cheek gently, then left to join Athena and Cassiopia.
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Apollo was alone with his mate. "You scared me, Bucko," he said. "Throwing yourself in front of me like that. I know you were trying to protect me, but gods, Starbuck, do you think I'd ever want to live without you?"
The captain looked up to see his father standing nearby. "He saved my life," said Apollo. "I should be the one lying there. He threw himself in front of me. Can you believe that?"
"Knowing how he feels about you, yes, I can believe that. And I can't deny that I am glad it's *not* you in that bed. Not that I ever want anything to happen to Starbuck," Adama added quickly. "Not just because I know it would kill you if anything did happen to him. I care for him almost as if he's my own son. Listen, Apollo, I know this isn't really the best time for it, but could you tell me exactly what happened down there? Why was Starbuck with you? I thought Boomer was supposed to be your wingman."
Apollo frowned. "Boomer told me he'd been called away at the last minute. He had a message that he was wanted on the Rising Star, but when he got there, nobody knew anything about it. Of course, by the time he got back, Starbuck and I had already left."
Adama frowned too. "I don't like the way that sounds," he said. "You don't think Starbuck was playing a practical joke, do you? Perhaps he wanted to fly with you, so he misdirected Lt. Boomer?"
"No! Starbuck wouldn't do that. I know he isn't fond of the rule that prevents us from flying together, but he would never deliberately break it. He takes his role as the Commander's son-in-law very seriously," Apollo added with a sad smile. "He knows it would look bad for me if he did something like that."
"Then we have a mystery on our hands," stated the Commander. "Do you think that the two of you were specifically targeted?"
"It looks that way, doesn't it? Actually, it looks like it was *Starbuck* who was the target. Whoever arranged this got Boomer off the Galactica at the last centon, knowing that Starbuck would take his place."
"But the Cylon fired at *you*," Adama noted.
Apollo sighed and buried his face in his hands. "I know. I don't know what to think about that. It's possible that whoever told the Cylons about the mission was after us both. It's not like Cylon warriors are terribly intelligent. They have to have someone telling them what to do. The question is, who?"
"That is what I intend to find out," said his father. He placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "I won't tell you to get some rest because I know you won't. But remember, when Starbuck is released, you're going to need all of your energy to look after him."
"Right now I just want him to wake up," said Apollo sadly.
"He will. Give him time," Adama tried to reassure Apollo. He wished he felt as confident as he sounded. Cylon pistols were brutally efficient. It was a minor miracle that Starbuck had survived the initial blast. He thought for a few centons, then spoke again. "Is there anyone you can think of who would have a grudge against the both of you?" he asked.
Apollo frowned. "Unfortunately, there are those who don't exactly *approve* of Starbuck's and my relationship. We've had some unpleasant comments directed at us when people think we aren't listening - and even when they know we are."
The Commander's face clouded. "I never realized that those types of prejudices still existed," he said sympathetically. "There's nothing in the books of the Lords of Kobol that says anything negative about relationships between men or between women."
"People don't need a reason to hate others. Common sense has little to do with it," his son stated matter-of-factly. He looked at the still figure of his lover. "We could be paying the price for someone's ignorance."
"We don't know if that's the reason you were attacked," Adama pointed out.
"We don't know that it isn't," Apollo replied.
Suddenly there was movement from the bed. Apollo jumped up. "Starbuck?"
"Apollo?" Starbuck whispered.
"I'm right here, love."
"Are you all right?" the lieutenant asked.
"I'm fine. How do you feel ?"
Starbuck thought about that for a few centons. "Lousy," he finally answered.
Apollo smiled with relief. "That's not surprising. Do you remember what happened?"
"Cylons," answered his lover. "They ... were going to shoot you..."
"Sssh. Relax. I'm okay," Apollo tried to reassure him. "Thanks to you."
Dr Salik arrived and checked Starbuck's vital signs. "You had us worried there, Lieutenant," he said to Starbuck. "I'm glad you woke up, but I think it would be best if you tried to get some sleep. You have a long recovery ahead of you and you need your rest."
Starbuck nodded tiredly and closed his eyes. Suddenly he opened them again. "Apollo?" he said anxiously.
Apollo took his hand. "I'm right here, Starbuck. I'm not going anywhere."
The blonde warrior relaxed. "Stay?" he asked.
"Always," replied Apollo.
"Good," Starbuck murmured as he fell asleep.
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Starbuck's recovery progressed slowly but surely over the next few days. Each day he was able to stay awake for a little while longer, and eventually was able to sit up. Then he was allowed visitors outside of his immediate family. The first visitor to arrive was Boomer.
Starbuck smiled happily when his friend arrived. "Hey, Boomer, is Blue Squadron surviving without me?" Boomer had temporarily taken over leadership of Starbuck's squadron while the Lieutenant recovered.
Boomer tried to smile but looked too serious to be able to manage it. "Blue Squadron is doing okay, Starbuck," he said. "Look, about the mission ... I'm sorry I wasn't there when I was supposed to be. I should have realized the message about the Rising Star was suspicious. I don't know anyone who works there, and why would anyone from the Galactica want to meet on the Rising Star?"
"Boom-Boom, that was *not* your fault. You were told someone was waiting for you and it was urgent. Any one of us would have done the same."
"But you're the one who got hurt because of it," Boomer said soberly.
"Boomer, stop it. You didn't fire the laser that hit me. This was supposed to be completely routine. Who knows, the lady of your dreams could have been waiting to see you. I wanted to fly with Apollo and I ignored the rules that say married couples don't fly together. My own choice. I'm responsible for everything that happened to me." Starbuck unsuccessfully stifled a yawn.
"No, Bucko, you are not responsible. *Someone* is, though, and I'm going to find out who. Now you get some rest. Blue Squadron isn't the same without you." Boomer squeezed his friend's shoulder and left the Life Center. Out in the corridor he ran into Lt. Bojay.
"Hey, Boomer, were you just visiting Lt. Starbuck?"
"Yes, I was," answered Boomer politely but distantly. Something about Bojay rubbed him the wrong way, and he knew that the pilot was not one of Stabuck or Apollo's favourite people either.
"Tell me, does he have any idea how the Cylons knew that he and Captain Apollo were going to be on that planetoid?" Bojay asked.
"Nobody knows that, Bojay. Now, I have a patrol to do. Excuse me." And Boomer hurried away from the other warrior.
Bojay smiled mysteriously and headed into the Life Center. He checked to make certain Apollo was nowhere in sight; since Starbuck's condition had improved, the captain had been persuaded to spend a little bit of time away from him. Apollo usually spent that time with Boxey or catching up on some of the work he'd missed since Starbuck had been injured.
"Hello, Starbuck," Bojay said cheerfully.
"Bojay," Starbuck nodded to the other warrior. He was tired and hadn't expected another visitor after Boomer left.
"Looks like your lover wasn't able to protect you from the Cylons after all," Bojay said with a sneer.
"What kind of felgercarb are you spewing now, Bojay?" Starbuck asked boredly. Bojay was one of the people aboard the Galactica who had made his disapproval of Starbuck and Apollo's relationship quite clear.
"Just that you and your fuck buddy might not be so lucky next time," was all that Bojay said. "Think about that next time you're getting laid by the sweet captain. Unless you're a top? But somehow I don't think so."
Just then Dr Salik arrived to check on his patient. Seeing Starbuck had visitor, he said, "The Lieutenant needs his rest. You'll have to come back later."
"Certainly, Doctor," said Bojay in a sickeningly polite tone. "Remember what I said, Starbuck." And he left.
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Apollo was in the viper bay, going over some maintenance reports submitted by members of Green Squadron, when Sheba approached him. He greeted her a bit absent mindedly.
"Hi, Apollo," she said. "How's it going? We've missed you being on patrol with us."
"Thank you for saying that, Sheba," replied Apollo. "Once Starbuck is better, I'll be out flying with you again."
"Starbuck!" Sheba sneered. "I have no idea what the two of you are doing together. He's been with every female in the fleet. I'm surprised you think you can keep him faithful."
"We're married, Sheba," Apollo answered her in a calm voice, but one that had a thread of steel running through it. "We are committed to each other. There's no one else for either of us."
The female warrior suddenly moved forward and pinned Apollo against a viper with her body. She kissed him, grinding her hips into his.
Apollo pushed her away, not bothering to be gentle. "What part of 'I am married' do you not understand?" he demanded.
Sheba spat on the floor in disgust. "Married! Two men can't be married! Neither can two women - your sister and that blonde socialator should know that and so should you. " She looked around to make sure they were alone in the viper bay. "You belong with a woman, Apollo. One who appreciates you, not that daggit-who-walks-like-a-man that you call your 'husband.'" She turned and started to walk away, then paused. "If I can't have you, Apollo, no one will. Especially not Stabuck."
Apollo stared after Sheba in astonishment, then went to talk to his father.
"That is a serious accusation, Apollo," said Adama when the Captain had told him the story of his encounter with Sheba. "It isn't that I don't believe you, but as you said, you were alone. There were no witnesses. And she is the daughter of Commander Cain, who is one the best-respected warriors in the fleet."
"I don't care if she's a direct descendant of the Lords of Kobol! She's dangerous!"
"You don't know that," Adama said, trying to calm his son. "Just because she kissed you ... "
"It's not that!" exclaimed the warrior. "Frac, if everyone who made an unwanted pass at another person turned out to be in league with the Cylons, we'd have no fleet left. It's the things she said, and the way she said them She was threatening me and Starbuck. I think you should post a guard in the Life Center."
"Based on what? The rantings of a jealous suitor?" asked the Commander.
"Based on the *threats* that she made!"
"Apollo, whoever is responsible for the attack on the two of you is not likely to take any direct action. If they were you would have been attacked while you were still on the Galactica, and they would have done it themselves, not arranged for a Cylon patrol to ambush you. " He cut off Apollo's next protest. "Apollo, you are letting your feelings for Starbuck over ride your common sense. I know that you are concerned about him. If it makes you feel any better, I'll tell Dr. Salik to not leave Starbuck alone with any visitors outside of immediate family. Speaking of family, isn't it time to go pick up Boxey from school?"
Apollo recognized a subject change when he heard one. "All right, I'll tell Dr. Salik what you said. And yes, it is time to go get Boxey and take him to visit Starbuck." Apollo left, still angry, and frustrated that his father hadn't taken his concerns seriously.
------
When Boxey had had his visit with his second father and had left to go to Athena's, Apollo told Starbuck about his encounter with Sheba.
"She really pinned you against a viper? That woman doesn't take no for an answer, does she?"
"I just wanted to warn you in case she comes in here," Apollo told him.
"Well, I already had one surprise visitor today," Starbuck said. "Would you believe Bojay came to see me? He threw around some of his usual felgercarb about the two of us before Dr. Salik ran him off."
"You know," mused Apollo, "Sheba is Bojay's wingman."
"And a cute couple they make, too," laughed Starbuck.
"I'm serious, Bucko. I wonder if they could be in this together? They seem to think along the same lines."
"What do you mean? You think Bojay wants to sleep with you, too?"
"No, but I think they wouldn't mind seeing something happen to you, or to the both of us."
"Apollo, you are being careful, aren't you? You're watching your back?" his mate asked worriedly.
Apollo gave him a gentle kiss. "Yes, love, I am being careful. And I've asked Salik and Cassie to keep an eye on you for me when I'm not here. I won't let anything happen to you ever again."
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Sheba and her wingman were preparing for their patrol.
"Sheba, I can't believe you came on to Captain Apollo right here in the viper bay. You could have given us away," complained Bojay.
Sheba glared at him. "Look, Bojay, I know you would be very happy if Starbuck and Apollo weren't together. You want Starbuck for yourself. How could it hurt you if I got the Captain away from him?"
Bojay laughed. "Unlike you, Sheba, the reason I want Starbuck is to kill him, not to kiss him."
"Tell me another one. You want Starbuck and you can't have him. It's driving you crazy. I see it every time you look at him and Apollo together. I'm almost tempted to let him live just to see what you would do with him."
"And do you think Apollo would want you after that? After you killed Starbuck, or gave him to me ? He'd hate you for what you did to his *lover*," Bojay emphasized the last word with disgust.
"I know that! Why do think I want to kill him? He's been ruined for me, ruined by that blonde piece of garbage. " She smiled. "So, since they *love* each other so much, they won't want to live without each other. We'll kill them both. It will be the merciful thing to do. And the fleet will lose its two best warriors, which will make Baltar happy,."
"Speaking of Baltar, how are we going to handle this meeting without anyone from the Galactica finding out?"
"I already handled that," Sheba replied. "Before Apollo went running to his Daddy to tell him that big, bad Sheba assaulted him, I asked the Commander if we could go back to the planetoid to look for evidence of Cylon occupation. He didn't want to let us at first, but I told him we had an idea now of what dangers could be down there, and that we'd be careful. Weapons drawn at all times, and so on. Baltar will meet us down there."
"You know, Sheba, it's times like this that I'm glad we're on the same side."
-------
Down on the planetoid, Baltar greeted the two warriors. "It's about time the two of you arrived," he said. "What do you have to report?"
"Well, Lt. Starbuck is still alive," replied Sheba.
"Is he? Captain Apollo must be happy about that," replied the Cylon collaborator.
"I know. Ever since those two got sealed, they've been acting like daggits in heat. You'd think they could fly without vipers they've been so disgustingly happy," Sheba complained.
"I wish I'd known that Starbuck was in to that sort of thing when I had him aboard my base star. We could have had some fun," sighed Baltar.
Bojay tried not to gag. "So what do you want us to do next?" he asked. "The plan is still to kill Starbuck and Apollo, I take it?"
"Yes, yes. It's up to the two of you how you do it. Commander Adama will be so devastated to lose his eldest son, I'm certain that he will become careless. And of course, the fleet will have lost two of its best warriors. And the two of you will have your revenge on them, which should make you happy."
"Not really," Sheba muttered.
Baltar put a hand under her chin. She tried not to flinch. "Now, now, Sheba, Captain Apollo obviously doesn't appreciate you. You could do so much better. And think of the look on Starbuck's face when you kill his lover in front of him."
Sheba smiled seductively at Baltar. She loathed him, but he had power, and that was what she wanted. "So, tell us again what's in it for us," she said.
"Once the humans have surrendered to the Cylon Empire, the two of you will be given positions in my new government." He didn't mention that this was subject to the approval of the Imperious Leader, who for all Baltar knew would kill the two of them as soon as they had outlived their usefulness. "You, Sheba, will be my right hand. Perhaps even my consort?"
"Perhaps," the female warrior replied, making plans to kill him the first time he approached her after their plan had succeeded.
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The day had finally arrived that Starbuck could be released from the Life Center and go home with Apollo and Boxey. All three of them were happy and relieved. Apollo could still remember how precarious Starbuck's condition had been when he had first been brought in. The memory made him shudder. He put it out of his mind and looked forward to sleeping next to his love for the first time in sectons.
Athena and Cassiopia had wanted to throw a welcome home party for the Lieutenant, but Apollo told them that Starbuck wouldn't have enough energy for a party. They finally agreed on a special dinner for the five of them. Athena was known throughout the fleet for her cooking skills.
As they were sitting around the table enjoying the meal and making small talk, Boxey spoke up. "Starbuck, is it true that someone tried to kill you?" he asked.
Apollo almost choked on his mouthful of food. Starbuck however didn't show any distress at the question. "We don't know for sure, Boxey," he answered. "It could just have been a coincidence that there were Cylons on the planet when we landed. Or someone could have alerted them that we would be there without caring who we were. "
"But someone did arrange for Boomer to be unavailable for that particular mission," Athena pointed out.
"That might not have had anything to do with what happened down on the planet," Apollo replied.
"I think it sounds like a plot," said Boxey dramatically. "But don't worry, Starbuck. Muffit and I will look out for you." The daggit-droid barked affirmatively.
"Well, thank you Boxey and Muffit. I appreciate that." Starbuck tousled the boy's hair affectionately. He looked around the table. "Have I ever told all of you how glad I am to have you for a family?"
Cassie blushed a little. Athena smiled and raised her glass. "And Cassie and I are glad to have you for a brother in law, Starbuck." She proposed a toast. "To Starbuck."
The others raised their glasses. This time it was Starbuck's turn to blush. "Thank you," he said softly.
"Starbuck, can I ask you something?" inquired Boxey.
"Sure, kid. What is it?"
"Well, uh, some of the other kids in my class at school, they had parents who were killed in the attack on the colonies. And sometimes their parents get married again, like you and Dad did after my Mom died, and, uh, their new parents adopt them. Like Dad adopted me. Could - could you adopt me, too, Starbuck?"
Starbuck looked across the table at Apollo. "Wasn't that taken care of when we got sealed, 'Pol?" he asked.
"I don't know," Apollo confessed. "I know that when a man and a woman are sealed it's automatic, like when I married Serena I automatically became Boxey's legal parent. I don't know if it's the same for two men. I'll have to check."
Starbuck turned back to Boxey. "If I didn't already legally become your parent when your father and I were married, then I will most definitely adopt you, Boxey. I'd be happy and honored to."
"Yaay!" shouted Boxey and jumped into Starbuck's lap to give him a hug. The warrior winced slightly.
"Easy, Boxey, Starbuck's still recovering, remember," admonished Apollo.
"Oops, sorry, Starbuck," the boy apologized. Then he added, "What should I call you? You're my dad, too, but I can't call both of you 'Dad.' "
"I don't see why not," Apollo said.
"Is it okay with you if I call you Dad?" Boxey asked Starbuck.
Starbuck tried to keep his voice steady as he answered. "I would be very proud if you called me 'Dad'," he said.
"Good," said Boxey. This time the hug was more gentle.
Apollo cleared his throat. "Now that's settled, it's time for your sleep period. Give your aunts a kiss goodnight and get ready for bed. I'll be in to hear you say your prayers." Then he hesitated. "That is, if you want to say them."
"I do," Boxey answered. "I have to say thank you for bringing Starbuck home."
After they said goodnight, Athena and Cassiopia left. Both of Boxey's parents listened to his prayers and told him a bedtime story. Then after goodnight kisses (including some extra ones for Starbuck) Boxey was settled in to bed and asleep.
"Your turn," Apollo announced to Starbuck.
"Only if you join me," Starbuck replied.
"Of course. "
The two prepared for bed and as Apollo climbed in beside his husband he said, "I wondered for awhile if I would ever get to sleep next to you again."
"Sh, love. It's all right. I'm alive. I'm here. I won't leave you," Starbuck tried to reassure Apollo.
Apollo kissed him. "I have some prayers of thanks to say, myself."
"Apollo..." Starbuck said hesitantly. "I'm afraid I'm not up to, er, you know, anything other than sleeping in this bed at the moment."
Apollo pulled his love into an embrace. "That doesn't matter. All that matters is that you're safe, you're here, you're with me in our bed. I love you."
"Love you too," Starbuck murmured as he fell asleep.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Commander Adama was surprised to find out that Lt. Bojay wanted to see him. "Come in, Lieutenant," he said to Bojay. "What can I do for you?"
"Well, sir, I hate to mention this at all, since it concerns you son and his, uh, mate, but it is something that has had me concerned for some time."
Adama didn't like the way this sounded. "Go on, Lieutenant."
"Yes, sir. I do hope that it's nothing, that I am seeing things that aren't there, but we can't be too careful these days with the Cylons so active in this sector."
"Please get to the point, Lieutenant Bojay," Adama said impatiently.
"Well, sir, I was a member of Captain Apollo's squadron before he and Lieutenant Starbuck were sealed, and I sometimes would ... hear things. Whispers, really, nothing more. I'm in Blue Squadron now, with Starbuck as our leader, and I sometimes hear him on the radio when he thinks he's using a private channel, making deals with smugglers and privateers to get ambrosia and fumarillos. Some of these privateers operate with the full knowledge and cooperation of the Cylon Empire, otherwise they would have been blown to kingdom come yahrens ago.
"I believe that when Starbuck and Apollo went to the planetoid they went to meet with the Cylons to discuss sabotaging the fleet and handing us all over to the Empire. Perhaps they were expecting to meet with Baltar. But when they got there they realized that Baltar was protected by Centurions, and they must have had some sort of disagreement, and that's why Starbuck was shot." He removed a Council medallion from his pocket. "When Lt. Sheba and I were exploring the planetoid, we found this. I believe it is a medallion only possessed by members of the Council of Twelve? It must belong to Baltar."
Wordlessly, Adama took the medallion. He studied it for a long time, then said, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Lt. Bojay. Dismissed."
Bojay left, trying to hide the smirk on his face.
------
Starbuck and Apollo were relaxing in their quarters when Adama arrived.
"Hello, Father," said Apollo pleasantly. "Did you come to see Starbuck?"
"I came to see both of you," said the Commander. "I just received a .... disturbing visit from Lt. Bojay."
Starbuck groaned. "Not Bojay! He's one of the worst phobes in the fleet!"
" 'Phobes' ?" asked Adama.
Starbuck frowned. "People who are afraid that Apollo and I have something catching, that being near us will infect them with a disease that makes them love their own gender."
"I see." Adama took a deep breath, then continued. "I dislike bringing this to you so soon after your release from the Life Center, Starbuck, but some serious accusations have been leveled against the two of you."
"And those are?" asked Apollo.
Adama laid out the charges that Bojay had made. He showed them the medallion.
Starbuck spoke first. "Remember the time I took the experimental long-range viper out on a test flight? I ran into some smugglers who were carrying ambrosia from the prison planet. I did make some arrangements with them to bring some ambrosia aboard when they joined the fleet. Everything was completely legal and above board. I haven't had any other contacts with smugglers or privateers. Sure, sometimes I do some bartering when I'm playing cards, I trade for cigarillos or ambrosia, but there's no secret smuggling ring on the Galactica. At least not that I know about."
Apollo studied the medallion. "I don't know where this came from, but it would explain how the Cylons knew we were on the planet if Baltar has spies in our squadrons. We didn't see any sign of him when we were down there, though."
"That doesn't mean he wasn't there. Or that Bojay and Sheba didn't meet with him themselves," Starbuck added.
Adama looked at his son and son-in-law seriously. "Listen, I know that the two of you would never have anything to do with the Cylons. And while I may not entirely approve of your 'bartering', Starbuck, there's nothing illegal about it. But these charges have been made by a member of your squadron, and there has to be an investigation. The two of you are confined to quarters except for your visits to the Life Center for Starbuck's rehabilitation. I'll ask Athena to pick up Boxey from school."
Apollo jumped up. "Father, you can't do this! You can't seriously consider the accusations of one pilot against the two of us!"
"Apollo, I don't believe the accusations. But if I don't order an investigation, Bojay has only to make a report to the Council and it will be out of my hands. I have to be impartial, and more than that I have to *appear* impartial. I know that you weren't planning on flying any missions while Starbuck is recovering. This shouldn't be too much of a hardship on you. Hopefully it won't take long."
Apollo grumbled a bit but he saw the point Adama was making. "I understand," he said reluctantly. He bid goodbye to his father and returned to Starbuck's side. Starbuck put an arm around his shoulders.
"It'll be all right, 'Pol. You'll see. The Commander is on our side. Bojay doesn't have anything concrete against us."
"I know, but that wouldn't stop him or Sheba from inventing something," Apollo answered.
"Listen, why don't we invite Boomer to come over tonight? Tell him what's going on, and he can do some investigating for us while we're stuck here," Starbuck suggested.
Apollo stood up and started to pace around the room. "I hate this," he said. "Bojay and Sheba are out to get us and it looks like they're in league with the Cylons. How can they hate us so much that they would endanger the entire fleet just to get rid of us?"
Starbuck got up and went to his lover's side. "Listen, Apollo, it's probably not just about us. For those two to be working with the Cylons, they must want more than just to get rid of you and me. Baltar probably promised them money or power or both, and they decided to take us along for the ride. We'll be okay. Like I said, Boomer can do some investigating, Adama is on our side, and most of all, we're together. Nothing can hurt us as long as we're together."
Apollo wasn't certain how true that was, knowing what had happened to Starbuck when they had been together on the planet, but he understood what Starbuck was trying to say. He hugged his love. "All right," he said. "Call Boomer and get him over here. We have some work to do."
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Boomer arrived and the warriors began a strategy session.
"So it looks like our prime suspects are Bojay and Sheba," Boomer observed. "I must say I've never been fond of Bojay, but I'm a bit surprised at Sheba, her being Cain's daughter and all."
"Could be a rebellion against everything her father stands for," Apollo said. "As you and Starbuck know, neither Zac nor I were on our best behaviour when we were in the Academy. It's hard growing up hearing nothing but how great your father is. Too bad Sheba had to go to such an extreme though."
"Are you feeling sorry for her, after what she did?" Starbuck asked in astonishment.
"We don't know that she's done anything. As Father keeps reminding us, we have no proof."
Starbuck sighed. "You're always fair, Apollo. I love that about you, but sometimes it gets on my nerves."
"Everyone has the right to be presumed innocent until they're proven guilty," Apollo said firmly. "You didn't object to that when you were accused of murder."
The lieutenant threw up his hands in mock-surrender. "All right, all right. I get it."
Boomer interrupted. "However fair we wish to be, the fact remains that Bojay and Sheba are still suspects."
"Right," said Apollo. "And since Starbuck and I can't leave our quarters for the time being, we're relying on you to help us, Boom-Boom. We need evidence that we can take to the Commander, to the Council if we have to. Suspicions and veiled threats aren't enough."
"If it were up to me, I'd just shove them out the nearest access hatch," snarled Boomer.
"And it's not up to you, Boomer," Apollo reminded him.
"You could just look the other way while I arrange an accident for them," the Lieutenant suggested.
"Listen to him, Apollo," said Starbuck. "I like the way he thinks."
Apollo glared at his husband but as usual was unable to be angry at him for more than a milli-centon. "As tempting as that sounds, guys, those two may have information that would be valuable to the Fleet. We need to know what the Cylons have planned and what Baltar is up to."
"You're right," Starbuck sighed.
"Well, we'll just have to hope that once he's on the prison barge, Bojay gets to become the favourite of the biggest, baddest convict there," Boomer put in.
"And what about Sheba?" asked Starbuck.
"I'm certain the female prisoners have similar arrangements, at least judging by what I heard from Thane and the others when we were on the ice planet," he answered.
"All right." Apollo took control of the discussion. "Here's what I want you to do, Boomer. As hard it may be, I want you to get friendly with Sheba and Bojay. They'll know you're our friend, so they may be reluctant to say much of anything around you. So you have to act like we've had a falling out, maybe that Starbuck or I did something to upset you. Even better, that you've decided you can't approve of our relationship. I don't know if they'll believe you so use your own judgement. And Boomer - be careful. Those two are dangerous."
"Understood, Captain," said Boomer. He looked at his two friends. "Do I have to tell you two to be careful too? Remember, you have a son to look after."
Apollo's expression turned grave. "I know. That's why I've made arrangements in case anything happens to me and Starbuck for Boxey to live with Athena and Cassiopia. Just as a precaution."
"I pray that you won't need those arrangements," Boomer sighed.
"So do we, Boom-Boom," Starbuck added.
Boomer hugged his friends. "Take care of each other," he said. "I'll do everything I can to get to the bottom of this. I still can't believe Adama confined you to quarters."
"He did what he thought was best," Apollo told him.
"I know. I just hate it," the warrior replied.
"So do we, Boomer. The sooner you can find some proof of Bojay and Sheba's plot, the sooner we can be cleared," said Starbuck.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Boomer left after once again admonishing his two friends to be careful. Then he went to find Lt. Sheba.
"Hello, Boomer," Sheba said in surprise when Boomer found her in the officers' quarters. "What's up?"
"Nothing in particular," said Boomer casually. "I just wondered if you would like to have dinner with me tonight on the Rising Star."
"Why Boomer, I'm flattered," said Sheba. "I'd love to have dinner with you. What time?"
"1800 hours?"
"1800 it is. Shall I meet you here?"
"That would be fine. I'll see you at 1800, then. I'm looking forward to it."
"So am I, Boomer. And thank you." Sheba felt flattered by the warrior's attention. He wasn't Apollo, but it was nice to have the eye of an attractive man.
Meanwhile, Lt. Bojay had some plans of his own. He arrived at Starbuck and Apollo's quarters. Though the door was locked, he had obtained a passkey courtesy of his friend Reese, the head of Security on the Galactica. He unlocked the door and walked in, pulling his weapon before either of the warriors could react.
"Greetings, comrades," Bojay said cheerfully. "I came to check on how Starbuck's recovery is progressing. Oh please, don't get up on my account, Starbuck. You need your rest."
"What do you want, Bojay?" asked Apollo.
"Just what I said. I wanted to see how Starbuck is. I've had my eye on your boyfriend for some time, you know, Captain." He walked over to Starbuck and lay a hand on the blonde man's cheek. "We could have been good together, Starbuck. It's a pity you chose him," he waved his laser in Apollo's general direction, "instead of me."
"Keep your hands off me, Bojay," Starbuck growled.
"Tsk, so dramatic," sighed Bojay. His hand suddenly shot out and seized Starbuck's throat. "I can have you any time I want you." Turning to Apollo, who had jumped up and started approaching him, he said, "And if you put up a fight, Starbuck, I will simply kill your lover. While you watch." He leveled his pistol at Apollo's chest for emphasis.
"All right!" exclaimed Starbuck in fear. "You can have me, Bojay. Fuck me. Just don't hurt Apollo."
"How selfless of you," Bojay muttered sarcastically. "But not right now. If I fucked you now, I might kill you, due to that unfortunate incident planetside. I'm rather pleased my plan didn't work out that time, actually. But I do want you in my bed, Starbuck. When you're fully recovered. I'm certain you will be an *active* lover.
"And Captain, don't think of trying anything. If you try to fight me, I kill Starbuck. If Starbuck fights me, I kill you. Either way, whichever one of you gets it, the other has to watch. And don't bother running to the Commander with the story of my visit here. You have no witnesses. It's my word against yours. And I know the Council doesn't think much of perverts like the two of you. Fortunately, they don't know that I'm one of those 'perverts' too." He grinned maniacally.
As he was leaving, Bojay turned back and looked at Starbuck. "I will have you, Starbuck. I will find a way, and I will have you. Maybe I'll be nice and let Apollo watch." And he walked through the door with a cheery wave.
Starbuck got up and went to his lover's side. Apollo was shaking with fear and rage. "If he touches you ..." the Captain started to say.
"Apollo, don't," Starbuck interrupted him. "Don't let him get to you. He's not worth it. He wants us to get angry. We'll be more likely to make mistakes that way."
"Starbuck, what he threatened to do to you - "
Starbuck took hold of Apollo's shoulders. "Listen to me, Apollo. Even if he did take my body, that is all he would get - my body. My heart, my soul, are yours. He can never have them." He kissed Apollo softly. "Listen, let's go to bed. I ... I need you. "
Apollo groaned. "No, Starbuck. You aren't well enough for that."
"It's okay, 'Pol. I trust you. I know you won't hurt me. We'll be careful. Please."
"All right." Apollo gave in. He could never deny Starbuck anything.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Boomer and Sheba were having dinner on the Rising Star. Boomer was rather sorry that Sheba was a suspect in the attack on Starbuck and Apollo. She was an attractive woman and a pleasant dinner companion.
"How are you finding life on the Galactica?" Boomer asked.
"It's different from the Pegasus," Sheba mused after thinking for a few moments. "On the Pegasus we thought we were alone, that we were the only humans left. We took chances that you can't take on the Galactica because you're responsible for a fleet of smaller ships. I'm surprised that you haven't lost some of the slower ones."
"Credit for that goes to Commander Adama," said Boomer. "Every command decision he makes takes all of the ships into consideration. It's not a job I'd want."
"I wonder how he feels knowing that both his son and daughter are in unnatural relationships?"
"Unnatural relationships?" Boomer asked, trying to sound surprised at Sheba's comment.
"You know. Athena is with that former socialator, and Apollo is with Starbuck. It's not *normal.*"
"I never really thought of it that way," said Boomer. "I didn't consider it to be any of my business."
"What the Commander and his family do *is* our business. They are descendants of the Lords of Kobol. As such their behaviour reflects on all of the surviving humans! What's going to happen if we reach Earth and the Earth people discover that we condone unnatural behaviour like this?"
"I don't know," answered the warrior. "But really, what can we do about it?"
"There must be something," Sheba muttered. "Some form of therapy, shock treatment maybe. "
"That sounds rather ... extreme."
"Desperate times call for desperate measures," replied his date. "Apollo has a child. I'm surprised the Council hasn't forced him to give up the boy to a *normal* family."
Boomer was rapidly revising his earlier opinion that Sheba was a pleasant dinner companion. He was stunned at the hateful words coming from her mouth. How could such an attractive woman say such ugly things? But he had a job to do. He couldn't let her know how much he hated what she was saying.
"Well, with Apollo being Adama's son, I suppose the Council doesn't want to intervene. They protect their own," Boomer suggested.
"There need to be some changes in the way things are run around here," Sheba stated to Boomer's surprise.
"Really? What kind of ... changes?" he asked in a conspiritorial tone.
Sheba leaned forward and lowered her voice. "There are some in the fleet who do not approve of Adama's leadership. His son and daughter's sexual exploits are just the latest in a long line of bad calls he's made. More than a few of us think that Adama should sue for peace with the Cylon Empire."
"What about the fact that the Cylons destroyed our colonies?" Boomer asked.
"The ones who ordered that attack are no longer in command. Baltar wasn't behind it. He wanted peace, and the Imperious Leader went behind his back and ordered the colonies destroyed. That Leader has been replaced. All Baltar wants is for the Cylons and the humans to get along. The Empire even has maps and star charts that might help us find Earth."
"Well," said Boomer. "I was unaware of those ... developments. How did you get all of this information?"
The ambrosia Sheba had been drinking had loosened her tongue. She was eager to brag about all that she knew. "I have a radio link to Baltar's base ship. He gave me the frequency when I first met him during a patrol. He contacted me on the radio in my viper and asked me to meet with him. I was curious, so I accepted his invitation. He told me that everything we've been hearing from Adama and the Council of Twelve is propaganda. "
"I never would have known that if you hadn't told me, Sheba. Thank you. How can I meet others who think like you do?"
"We only meet when we have to. A group of us together would look too suspicious, since we all come from different backgrounds - some are warriors, some are civilians. If anything develops that we think the group needs to know, we have a communication network. "
"Who's 'we' ?" asked Boomer.
"Myself, Lieutenant Bojay, and Reese, Galactica's head of security." Sheba drained her glass. "Come on, Boomer, enough talking. The evening has barely begun. Don't you think there are better things we could be doing?"
"As tempting as your offer is, Sheba, neither of us has private quarters, and I don't think the other pilots would enjoy watching us make love in the Officers' Quarters."
Sheba frowned. "Can't you get us a room?" she asked.
Boomer reached into his pocket and pulled out some coins. "Not enough credits. Sorry."
Sheba frowned. "Oh well," she said. "Another time. Once the new Order is established, I'll be a wealthy woman." And she poured herself another glass of ambrosa.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boomer's evening went rapidly downhill. Eventually he found himself half - walking, half - carrying Sheba back to the Officers' Quarters. As he placed her none too gently on her bunk, she muttered some more about Starbuck and Apollo.
"Thank you for a lovely evening, Boomer," she slurred. "Glad to know you're not like Pollo an' Starbuck, perverts like they are." Then she passed out.
Cadet Cree and Ensign Giles appeared next to Boomer. "So, Lieutenant, what's with her?" Giles asked.
"Just had a little too much ambrosa this evening," replied Boomer.
"You know, I've heard that can be dangerous," observed Cree.
"Yeah, like if she's lying on her back and she vomits, she could choke," said Giles.
"Or someone could shove a pillow over her face accidentally." Lt. Jolly joined them.
"Purely accidentally," added Giles.
"Or maybe she could wander into an airlock and get shot out into space. Accidentally," a female Flight Cadet commented from an adjoining bunk.
"Which would be such a shame," said Jolly. "Wouldn't it, Cadet?"
"Oh, very much so," replied the cadet.
"All right people, enough," said Boomer. "Lieutenant Sheba has a right to her opinions."
"And we have the right to disagree with her *opinions*," commented Cree in disgust. "Lt. Starbuck saved my life on the ice planet. He rescued me from the cold cell where the Cylons were holding me."
"And Apollo has pulled my tail out of the fire more times than I care to remember," added Jolly.
"Why should we care what they do off duty?" asked Giles rhetorically. "They're the best warriors in the fleet. Their private lives are nobody's business."
"All right, let's leave Sheba alone to sleep it off," Boomer ordered. "I'm certain she'll be paying for her indulgence tomorrow."
"And I look forward to watching every centon of it," the Cadet in the next bunk put in.
-------
Boxey was waiting for his Aunt Athena to pick him up after his learning period was over. It made him mad that neither of his Dads could come and get him, but the Commander had said they had to stay in their quarters. Boxey and his grandfather had had quite an argument about that. But in the end, the Commander was the Commander, and his word was law.
A man dressed in a Colonial Warrior's uniform approached. "Hey, you're Boxey, right?" the man asked.
"Yes, who are you?" Boxey asked.
"Flight Lieutenant Bojay, at your service," said the warrior. "I'm in Lt. Starbuck's squadron."
"Starbuck is my dad," said Boxey proudly.
Bojay frowned. "No, Captain Apollo is your dad. Starbuck is just your dad's lover."
"They're married to each other, so that makes both of them my dad," Boxey explained patiently, sounding as if he had explained this many times already.
"Two men can't be married, Boxey. Only men and women can get married."
"No! They're married, same as Aunt Athena married Aunt Cassie. I was at the Sealing."
"Well, all right. They got sealed. But that's only symbolic - do you understand what 'symbolic' means, Boxey?"
"Not really," said Boxey.
"Well, it means it's a show, but it's not real. It looked like Captain Apollo married Lt. Starbuck, but it was just for show. It's not a real, legal marriage like it was when your mom and dad were married."
"That's not true!" shouted Boxey.
"Okay, Boxey, calm down," soothed Bojay. "Listen, do you like mushies?"
Boxey brightened. "Oh yeah, I really like mushies!"
"Well, why don't you come with me to my quarters. I have a pan of mushies that should be just about ready to come out of the oven."
"Cool!" exclaimed Boxey. Then he frowned. "I'm supposed to wait here for Aunt Athena."
"That's too bad. Maybe another time?"
"Sure! That sounds like fun."
"Well, I will make sure to have plenty of mushies for you. Tell your father and Starbuck that Lt. Bojay sends his regards, okay?"
"Okay. Bye," said Boxey as Bojay left.
When Athena dropped him off at his quarters, Boxey ran and hugged Apollo and Starbuck. "Hi Dad! Hi Dad!" he said to both warriors. "Guess what, I met someone new today."
"Really? Who'd you meet?" Apollo asked curiously.
"He said his name is Lieutenant Bojay. He said he sends you his regards." At the expression on Apollo's face, Boxey asked, "Did I do something wrong?"
"No, Boxey," said Starbuck hurriedly. "You didn't do anything wrong. What else did Lt. Bojay say?"
"He said some pretty strange things," answered the boy. "He said that two men or two women can't get married. He said that when the two of you and Aunt 'Thena and Aunt Cassie got sealed, it wasn't real, it was ..... symbolic. It wasn't a real, legal marriage like it was when you married my mom," he said to Apollo.
"Boxey, when Starbuck and I were sealed, it was just as legal as when I married your mother. The Commander wouldn't have sealed us if it wasn't. Did he say anything else?"
"He said Starbuck isn't my dad."
"Do you think Starbuck is your dad?" asked Apollo.
" 'Course I do!" exclaimed Boxey.
"Then he is your dad, just like I am."
Boxey grinned. "He also invited me to go with him to get some mushies."
Apollo tried to control the expression on his face. He didn't want to frighten Boxey, but he needed to convey how important it was to stay away from Bojay.
"Boxey, I need you to listen very carefully," Apollo said. "When you leave your class at the end of learning period, I don't want you to go with anyone but me, Starbuck, your grandfather or your aunts. Or Lt. Boomer," he added.
"So, that means I can't go with Lt. Bojay to get mushies?"
"No, Boxey. You should only go with family. Bojay isn't family," said Starbuck.
"Is Boomer my family?" asked the boy.
"Sure he is," said Starbuck. "He's an uncle."
"Okay," said Boxey. This was cool, having a new uncle, though he was disappointed that he couldn't go with Bojay to get mushies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Boxey had gone to his room, and Apollo was fuming. "This is low, even for Bojay," the Captain snarled. "How could he dare to lay a hand on an innocent boy?"
Starbuck tried to reassure his lover. "He didn't lay a hand on him, remember. He didn't touch him. He was just trying to scare us."
"Trying? He succeeded." Apollo wrapped his arms around himself and shivered. "Starbuck, if anything happened to Boxey ... or to you .. I don't know what I'd do."
Starbuck came up behind Apollo and put his arms around him. "Nothing is going to happen to either of us, Apollo."
"You don't know that for sure," Apollo said.
"All right, that's true. No one knows whether anything is going to happen to them. But I'll do my best to protect Boxey, and I'll try to look after myself, okay?"
"Okay," Apollo said reluctantly.
"I think," Starbuck continued, "that we should talk to Boxey's teacher, and tell her some of what's going on. And get permission for him to take Muffit to class."
Apollo smiled. "Oh, she'll love that."
"Okay, so Muffit can be a bit disruptive. But we both know that he'll protect Boxey."
"You're right," Apollo agreed.
"Of course I am. I'm always right."
The door chime sounded and Boomer came in. Seeing Starbuck and Apollo with their arms around each other, he cleared his throat loudly. "A-HEM! You have a guest. Fool around some other time."
"Hey, Boom-Boom," said Apollo, extricating himself from his lover's embrace. "Do you have any news for us?"
"You could say that. I took Sheba to dinner last night and got her to reveal some of her secrets, with the help of a few bottles of ambrosia. What about the two of you? Anything new?"
The two warriors told Boomer about their recent visit from Bojay, as well as Bojay's accosting Boxey at school. Boomer nearly flew into a rage when he heard the story, and quickly agreed to help protect Boxey any way he could. Then he told them what he knew.
"This is all great," Apollo finally said. "But we still need proof."
"Yeah, is there any way we can get Princess Pushy to spill the beans in front of Adama or the other Council members?" asked Starbuck.
Boomer and Apollo looked at the blonde lieutenant. " 'Princess Pushy' ?" Boomer asked.
Starbuck shrugged. "So she needed a nickname. Suits her, doesn't it?"
"I suppose," said Boomer. "Listen, I have an idea. Sheba thinks I'm on her side. I'll pretend that you gave me some information that you got from the Commander. Something about the fleet being extra vulnerable at a certain time. She'll pass that on to her Cylon buddies. They'll come for us, and we'll be waiting."
"You're suggesting we invite a Cylon attack?" asked Starbuck incredulously. "Can't we just put her and Bojay in a room and hide the Commander behind some one way glass or something?"
Boomer looked self-conscious. "I never thought of that," he said. "But where can we get one way glass?"
"We'll think of something," Apollo answered. "Are you up to another date with Princess Pushy?"
"Only for you guys."
"It's a dirty job, Boomer, but someone has to do it," Starbuck said.
Boomer wandered into the Officer's Quarters and found that Sheba was not around. The cadet who had enjoyed watching Sheba's hangover saw him and approached. "She's not here," she said unnecessarily.
"I can see that," Boomer responded. "Cadet, uh, Cadet ..."
"Calliope," she answered. "Honestly, sir, I don't know why you are wasting your time with Lt. Sheba. She's absolutely obsessed with Captain Apollo and Lieutenant Starbuck. Sometimes I'm not sure if she wants to marry the Captain or murder him."
"Well, you don't need to worry about that, Cadet Calliope. Apollo has no interest in the first, and I'm going to make certain Sheba doesn't get a chance to do the second."
"If it were up to me I'd just push her out the nearest airlock," said Calliope.
Boomer chuckled. "That sounds quite tempting, but I'm afraid it would be more trouble than it's worth."
"Oh, I don't know. It would be worth a *lot* of trouble to me to see Miss Priss get hers. Oh, frac, here she comes. See you later, Lieutenant Boomer." Calliope hurried away before Sheba saw her.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boomer watched Calliope leave. //First 'Princess Pushy' and now 'Miss Priss'. Why do I get the feeling that Sheba is not very popular?//
"Hi Boomer," said Sheba. "What can I do for you?"
"I wondered if we could have dinner again," he said. "In surroundings that are a bit more private?"
"That sounds very tempting, Lieutenant," Sheba answered. "Did you have somewhere in mind?"
"Well, I still have to finalize the arrangements, but I have a pretty good idea. Does that mean you will?"
Sheba smiled. "Yes, Boomer, I will have dinner with you. When?"
"How about tomorrow night? Same time?"
"Sounds good to me. I'm looking forward to it. Make sure you bring more ambrosa."
"I will," said Boomer, and with a chaste peck on Sheba's cheek he left, wondering how many credits he would have left after *this* dinner.
Sheba went to her bunk and lay down. Suddenly she shrieked and abruptly sat up.
Calliope looked up from the flight manual she was reading. "Problem, Lieutenant?" she asked.
"There's something wet and sticky in my bed!" exclaimed Sheba.
Calliope hopped down from her bunk and went over to Sheba's. She took a little bit of the wet stuff between two fingers, felt it and smelled it.
"Shaving cream," was her appraisal.
"Who the frac would put *shaving cream* in my bed?" Sheba demanded. Calliope shrugged.
"I don't know," she responded. "Have you pissed off anyone lately?" //Like maybe the entire squadron?//
Sheba didn't answer. She yanked the blanket and sheets from her bunk and hauled them off to the laundry along with her wet uniform. She returned with clean sheets and blanket and set about re-making her bed after she had changed into a clean uniform.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Starbuck and Apollo had finally been released from 'house arrest' after an investigation found no proof of Bojay's charges. The lock on the door to their quarters had been changed to one with a special access key, of which only their immediate family and Boomer had copies. Starbuck had also just received a clean bill of health from Dr. Salik, and he and Apollo celebrated quietly at home.
As he lay in his lover's arms, Starbuck said suddenly, "Hey, 'Pol, do you know anyone that we could fix up Boomer with?"
Apollo propped himself up on one elbow. "Fix up Boomer? What for? He seems happy enough as a bachelor."
Starbuck shrugged. "I thought I was happy as a bachelor, but that was only because I didn't know what it was like to be sealed to someone I love. Anyway, he doesn't have to *marry* them, just thought maybe he'd enjoy a date with someone other than Sheba."
Apollo shrugged. "I'm sure Boomer can find his own dates without our help."
"Okay, just thought I'd give it a shot. Boomer's been helping us out so much, I just wanted to do something nice for him."
"Give him a bottle of ambrosa then," Apollo replied.
"Okay," Starbuck shrugged. "I wasn't even certain if I should try fixing him up with a man or a woman, and I thought you might know."
Apollo laughed. "If Boomer hasn't seen fit to enlighten us as to his preference, I assume that means it's none of our business. Or maybe he doesn't even *have* a preference. He could like both equally."
Back in the Bachelor Officers Quarters, Lt. Bojay was preparing for a patrol. He grabbed a flight jacket out of his locker, only to discover that it was several sizes too small. He frowned and grabbed the spare that he usually kept in the locker, only to discover that it was also too small.
"All right, very funny. Who's been playing with my uniform?" he asked.
No response came from the other pilots, who were busy playing a hand of Pyramid.
With a growl of frustration, Bojay tossed the two useless jackets into the laundry and went to get one that fit him. He arrived in the launch bay late and out of breath.
"What kept you?" Sheba asked him.
"Someone got into my locker and replaced my uniforms with ones that didn't fit," he replied.
"That so? Someone put shaving cream in my bed. Think it's related?"
"Probably just a practical joker who has it in for the entire squadron. I'm sure we'll see similar incidents around the officers' quarters." He climbed into his viper and flipped the switches to start the engine. Nothing happened.
"Frac!" he swore. "Sheba, is your viper functioning?"
"Seems fine to me," Sheba's voice came over the radio.
Bojay ran a diagnostic and discovered a very simple reason for his viper refusing to start. It was out of fuel.
Several centons of patrol time were wasted while Bojay refueled. Fortunately, patrol was uneventful, but that did nothing to improve his mood.
When Sheba returned to the officers' quarters, she found Boomer sitting on her bed chatting to Cadet Calliope. "You didn't come to cancel our date tomorrow, did you Boomer?" Sheba asked worriedly.
Actually, Boomer had come to talk to Calliope, but he just said, "No, I had a few free centons before I have to be on patrol so I thought I would come by and say hello."
Sheba looked up at Calliope. "Hey, Calliope, you didn't see who was messing with my bed, did you?" she asked.
"Sorry, Lieutenant. I was running simulations until just a few centons before you got here," the cadet answered.
"Something wrong with your bed, Sheba?" Boomer inquired.
"Someone put shaving cream in it. Looks like we have a practical joker around here."
Calliope winked at Boomer, who had to suppress some giggles.
"That seems like a very childish prank," Boomer said, doing his best to keep a straight face.
"Tell me about it. Someone - likely the same person - switched all of Bojay's uniforms with a smaller size. And drained the fuel from his viper. Made us both late for patrol."
"Really? One would think that Colonial Warriors were above such juvenile behavior," commented Calliope.
"Anyway, I have to get going," said Sheba. "I promised to take some Flight Cadets out on a training run." She kissed Boomer and went to change into a pressure suit. Suddenly there was a loud yelp from the cloakroom.
Boomer turned to Calliope. "Cadet, would you go see what that's about?" he asked.
Calliope already knew, but innocently went to the 'rescue.' She returned a few centons later with Sheba wrapped in a towel. "Someone put liquid heat in her pressure suit," Calliope explained. "I'm taking her to the showers."
Boomer nodded. "Carry on, Cadet," he said.
Later that day Bojay would discover a similar situation with his pressure suit - only the liquid heat was concentrated in the crotch area of the suit.
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Starbuck and Apollo, no longer confined to quarters, were enjoying themselves on the Rising Star. Many of the other members of their squadrons were there, and they all wanted to show their support for the two warriors. There were many comments about how pleased everyone was at Starbuck's recovery from his injuries, as well as a few veiled offers to "deal with" Bojay or Sheba or both. Apollo wondered what would happen the next time Sheba or Bojay was caught in a firefight - would they have any backup against the Cylons? Then again, they might not need it, since they had such a close relationship with the Empire.
As Apollo and Starbuck sat in the lounge drinking and playing cards, they didn't notice that another warrior had entered the room.
"Well, if it isn't the fleet's favorite perverts!" sneered Bojay. Apollo stiffened. Starbuck reached out and lay a hand on his lover's arm. "Ignore him, 'Pollo."
"Oh, look, they're touching. Isn't that sweet?" Bojay continued as he approached the table where the two lovers were sitting.
Suddenly, warriors started to get up from where they were seated. Soon there were almost two entire squadrons worth of pilots surrounding Starbuck and Apollo.
"What's this?" asked Bojay in confusion.
"These men are our friends, Bojay," said Lt. Jolly. "Our friends and our squadron mates. Our fellow warriors. "
"And we're going to stand by them," added Ens. Greenbean.
"It doesn't make any difference to us if they love each other," added Ens. Giles.
There were murmurs of agreement from the other warriors. Bojay muttered something unintelligible and left the lounge.
"Thanks, everyone," said Apollo when all of the warriors had returned to their seats.
"You owe us all a drink now, Apollo!" shouted Jolly.
A cheer went up from the assembled warriors. Apollo smiled and signalled the bartender to buy a round for the house.
--------------------
Boomer surveyed the room that had been set up for his rendezvous with Sheba. A table, chairs, candles. The food would be delivered by a couple of warriors dressed in civilian clothes, ones that Sheba wouldn't know. There *was* a bed in the room. Boomer really did not want to sleep with Sheba, but he had to keep up appearances. Maybe by the time things went that far she would be too drunk to go through with it.
There was something else in the room - a hidden microphone, ready to broadcast everything Sheba said directly to Commander Adama and Colonel Tigh. Boomer hoped she would incriminate Bojay, because there was no way Boomer was going to wine and dine *him*.
At the appointed time, Boomer escorted Sheba to the room. She was impressed. "This is even better than the private rooms on the Rising Star. How did you arrange this?"
"You might say I have friends in high places," he answered.
"Cool," said Sheba with a giggle. Boomer looked at her, wondering if she'd been sampling the ambrosa before dinner.
As the disguised warriors served the meal, Boomer tried to question Sheba without sounding like he was interrogating her. He needn't have worried; Sheba was quite proud of her "accomplishments" and cheerfully went on about Baltar and Bojay and how smart it was of Bojay to take Baltar's medallion to incriminate Apollo and Starbuck.
"That reminds me," interrupted Boomer. "How did that attack on the planet happen - the Cylons shooting at Starbuck and Apollo?
"Oh, that," said Sheba. "That was Bojay's idea. He's got this thing for Starbuck, and he decided that if he can't have him, nobody can. I'm kind of the same way about Apollo, so I went along with it. It's not so much the 'if I can't have him no one can' thing as much as the fact that I don't think I could stand fucking Apollo after he's been fucked by another man. So when Bojay heard you and Apollo discussing your mission, he got you sent to the Rising Star and then had me call Baltar. Baltar arranged for the Centurions to be on the planet to meet our 'friends.' Too bad Starbuck survived."
"Yeah," said Boomer, taking a gulp of ambrosa to cover up his expression. "Too bad." //More like too bad you and Bojay weren't the ones met by the Cylons//
Just as they were finishing their meal and Boomer was wondering how he could postpone the inevitable, an alarm sounded.
"ALL HANDS TO BATTLE STATIONS. ENEMY SHIPS APPROACHING. ALL SQUADRONS SCRAMBLE. THIS IS NOT A DRILL."
"I guess that includes us," said Boomer as he and Sheba headed to the barracks to change into their flight suits. Boomer hoped Sheba hadn't had too much ambrosa to fly.
-------------------------------------------
As they headed to their vipers, Sheba asked her wingman, "Bojay, what's going on? Why are the Cylons attacking us?"
"Because I asked them to," replied Bojay.
"You did WHAT?" Sheba almost screamed and remembered at the last micron to keep her voice down. "Why? In case you've forgotten, the Galactica is our home."
"You didn't seem too worried about that when you first started working for the Empire," Bojay retorted.
"Working *with* them! I wanted us to work for peace, not to destroy the Galactica!" cried Sheba.
"Oh well. Too late now. Besides, Baltar will give us a place to live. Probably a base star."
Muttering obscenities under her breath, Sheba boarded her viper and took off.
All squadrons has been scrambled, meaning that Starbuck and Apollo were both out at the same time, though not wingmates. It was Starbuck's first mission since he'd been injured and he was in fine form, his presence eliciting whoops from his squadron and a few "Welcome back, Starbucks" as well. Starbuck had soon finished off several Cylon ships, including one that had been dangerously close to Apollo's tail.
"Thanks, Starbuck," said Apollo as the Cylon was destroyed.
"Anytime, love," replied his husband as he flew off after another fighter.
Sheba tried to avoid shooting too many Cylon ships. On the one hand she wanted to protect the Galactica and the other warriors, on the other she didn't want to endanger the plans she had made with Baltar. "Frac," she said, not for the first time.
Meanwhile, on the Galactica, Colonel Tigh was discussing with Adama the 'conversation' they had heard from Boomer's hidden microphone.
"Do you really think it's a good idea to send Sheba and Bojay out into a battle with the Cylons?" Tigh asked.
"I really had no choice," replied Adama. "The attack came on so suddenly, I didn't have time to send Security personnel to arrest Sheba and Bojay. And we need every viper we can get out there."
"What if they turn on their own people?" asked Tigh.
"I think our warriors can take care of themselves. From what I've been hearing from Starbuck, Apollo, and Boomer, most of them are highly suspicious of Bojay and Sheba, and not likely to trust them out of their sight."
Out in space, the battle continued. Apollo saw a Cylon ship tailing Boomer. "Boom!" he called over the radio. "There's a Cylon trying to fly up your tailpipes!"
Suddenly another viper appeared and shot the Cylon out of the sky. "Nice shooting, Cadet!" Apollo said to Calliope.
"That goes double for me," added Boomer. "I owe you dinner on the Rising Star."
"Only if you're through with Miss Priss," answered Calliope.
"Oh I am most definitely finished with Miss Priss. Though I kind of like the 'Princess Pushy' moniker better."
"In that case, Lieutenant, you have a date. And you have to tell me about the 'Princess Pushy' name too."
Sheba found herself surrounded by Cylon fighters. "Hey, you stupid metalheads!" she radioed to them. "I'm on your side, remember?"
Apparently the Cylons did not remember, because the next centon Sheba was blown to bits.
Meanwhile, Bojay had flown so that he was right behind Starbuck's viper and was taking aim at him. Apollo and Boomer were too far away to get to Starbuck in time. They radioed him to warn him, but it looked as if Bojay was ready to blast the Lieutenant to kingdom come.
Suddenly a Cylon ship broke formation and bore down on the two vipers. It took aim at Bojay and fired, destroying his viper without damaging Starbuck's. Then it flew off before anyone could take in what had just happened.
"What the frac was *that* ?" Starbuck radioed to his squadron.
His radio crackled. "That, Lieutenant Starbuck, was me," said Baltar's voice. "Saving your rather attractive ass."
"What the hell ??" exclaimed Starbuck in astonishment.
"Don't worry your pretty head, Lieutenant," said Baltar with a chuckle. "I'm not expecting anything from you. And anyone else who is listening to this, no, Lieutenant Starbuck is not working for me or spying for me. I just took the opportunity to get rid of a rather annoying parasite who had outlived his usefulness. Don't try to find me, Lieutenant, Captain. I'm already well out of the range your vipers can make without running out of fuel, and my base star is quite nicely hidden.
"You might not see me for some time, my dear Colonial Warriors. But rest assured that I am always thinking of you. Give my best to Commander Adama." And Baltar closed the connection. As he did so, the remaining Cylon fighters turned and retreated.
"Let's go home, people," Apollo said, and the Colonial Vipers headed back to the Galactica.
A spontaneous party was soon in full sway in the Officers' Quarters. Food and drink materialized seemingly from nowhere. If anyone was mourning the loss of Sheba and Bojay, they didn't show it. Security Chief Reese had been taken into custody by his own people, and soon supplied Commander Adama with a list of his and Bojay's co-conspirators.
Boomer and Calliope were getting along like a couple of old friends. Apollo, seeing them together, said to Starbuck, "See? We didn't have to set up Boomer after all."
"They do make a cute couple, don't they?" observed Starbuck.
Boomer was talking to Calliope about the events of the past few days. "I wonder who the practical joker was, anyway?" he wondered out loud.
Calliope smacked his arm. "That was me!" she said.
Boomer blushed. "Oh," he said. "Sorry. I should have guessed."
"I couldn't push either Sheba or Bojay out an airlock, so I tried to make life as miserable for them as I could. I hope I succeeded."
"I think the liquid heat in the pressure suits worked quite well," Boomer commented. Then he got up and climbed on to a table. "Attention, everyone!" he called. "I have a toast to make!"
The warriors stopped what they were doing and turned to look at Boomer. "I propose a toast to Apollo and Starbuck, two of the best damn warriors in the fleet!"
"Apollo and Starbuck!" echoed the others.
------
Life in the fleet returned to normal. The Cylons were, at least for the time being, nowhere to be found. Boxey continued his learning periods without taking Muffit with him to school. A class of cadets graduated from flight school. Calliope and Cree were at the top of the class.
Since his near-loss of Starbuck, Apollo was determined not to waste a single moment with his husband. He would never take the Lieutenant's presence in his life for granted, and he told him so. Their relationship became even closer than it had been before their fateful to visit to the unnamed planetoid. After the extreme tactics of Sheba and Bojay became public knowledge, those who disapproved of the two warriors' relationship kept their opinions to themselves.
One day, a few weeks after the battle in which Sheba and Bojay had perished, Adama decided to have a small dinner party. Starbuck asked Apollo if he knew what the reason for the party was.
"Beats me," said Apollo. "All I know is he asked us, Cassie and Athena, and Boomer and Calliope to have dinner with him tomorrow night."
As they prepared for bed, Apollo suddenly took his lover in his arms. "Have I told you how much I love you?" he asked.
"I think you have," replied Starbuck. "But I always like to hear it."
"I love you with all of my heart and soul. With everything I am. When I thought I'd lost you on that planet ..." Apollo couldn't finish the sentence.
Starbuck kissed his husband. "That's in the past, Apollo. I made it. I survived. I love you, and I won't leave you. Not ever."
The two men proceeded to the bedroom and demonstrated just how much they loved each other.
-----
Adama's dinner party was a grand success. The guests included Starbuck, Apollo, Boxey, Cassiopia, Athena, Boomer, Calliope, and Colonel Tigh. Apollo nudged Starbuck when he noticed the Colonel's presence. "Why do you suppose Tigh is here?" he asked his love.
Starbuck shrugged. "Maybe the Commander and Colonel are more than just good friends?"
Apollo thought about that for a moment. His father and the Colonel were very close. He had assumed that they were just friends, but ... Well, it was up to Adama if he wanted to say anything about it.
As the assembled guests were finishing their desserts, Adama stood up and called for attention. "You are probably wondering why I have called you all here," he said. "I have some good news. Starbuck, would you and Boxey come up here please?"
The warrior and his stepson did as they were asked. Adama took their hands. "Starbuck, I wanted to tell you that your adoption of Boxey has been finalized. You have been Boxey's father for a long time already, but now it is official. Congratulations, son."
Starbuck hugged the Commander and Boxey. He tried unsuccessfully to keep the tears from his eyes as he simply said, "Thank you." Apollo got up and hugged all of them, then everyone was hugging.
Apollo finally signalled for silence. He put an arm around Starbuck and raised his glass.
"To family," he said.
Everyone in the room echoed his toast: "To family."
THE END