Apollo set the last of the mineral deposits in the cargo area, and sat beside his wingman and long time friend. "Ready to get off this rock?"
Starbuck sighed. "If we have to."
A few centons later, they were out of the planet's atmosphere. The trip would take two centares, so they put the shuttle on autopilot and retired to the bunks. Starbuck retrieved a fumerello from his sleeve, and popped it between his teeth.
Apollo rolled his eyes, and groaned. "You're not going to light that, are you?"
Starbuck took the cigar out of his mouth, and stared at it. "No, your heinness," he replied sarcastically. "Not if it's going to *bother* you."
Apollo sneered at him. "You know, I can't understand it, Lieutenant. How do you get so many women, when you stink from smoking those things?"
{So, that was it} Starbuck thought. {Get isolated with someone long enough, and they start to show their true colors.} "You're jealous. I've had more women this secton then you've had in a yahren."
Apollo scoffed. "Well, at least I remember their names. It kinda helps . . . if you even bother to *ask*."
Starbuck thrust the fumerello back into his mouth, and pulled out a lightstick. Apollo jumped off the bunk, grabbed the cigar, and threw it on the floor. "I said don't light it!" Starbuck leapt to his feet, and shoved Apollo. With eyes blazing, he glared at the Lieutenant. "What? You want a shot at me? I'm right here, Bucko. Go for it!"
Starbuck pushed him again, but this time Apollo pushed back. They continued the shoving match, soon locking their arms around each other, and struggling. There was such force, it was as if they had wanted to do this for yahrens. Apollo kicked Starbuck's feet out from under him, and they went down.
They were now rolling around on the floor of the shuttle, grappling, and trying to get the upper hand. In microns they had successfully bruised nearly every part of their bodies. Making sure to stay away from each other's face, unconsciously knowing that if the signs were visible, they'd have to answer for the brawl.
@@@@@
Just before the shuttle docked, they had changed their uniforms. As they unloaded the crates, it was only visible to anyone that the friends had had an argument. Without saying a word, Apollo stormed off to give the Commander his report.
Starbuck grabbed a stone from the mineral deposit, and sulked to Cassiopea's quarters. Just as he had hoped, she was waiting for him with open arms and no clothes. He kissed her passionately, taking hold of a breast, he interchangeably nibbled and sucked on the nipple. Grabbing hold of her ass, he lifted her, so Cassie was sitting on his hips.
When she felt Starbuck's finger enter her, she moaned in pleasure. "Oh, Lords. You'd think you'd been away for sectons instead of days."
Starbuck released her breast, and carried her to the bed. "Don't talk," he ordered harshly. "I want to fuck you, not listen to you."
Cassie was taken aback. He'd never told her to shut up before, and he'd never been so crude in his needs. She half wondered if he would have torn her clothes off, if she had been wearing any. She decided to wait to ask him what was wrong.
Starbuck pressed his lips hard against hers, thrusting his tongue into her mouth and taking possession of it. He couldn't get his pants off fast enough, and finally ripped them open. He felt Cassie pull his tunic off, and heard her gasp.
She tried to sit up, but he was holding her down. Cassie saw that his entire torso was bruised and discolored. "Starbuck, what happened to you?"
"I said *silence*!" he commanded. As he was getting into position to enter her, he came. "Frak!" Starbuck glared down at her. "You took too long. When I say 'don't talk', obey me!"
Cassie was frightened. She cringed, so sure he was going to hit her. She watched as he stood up and got dressed. Seeing it on the bed, she picked up the stone. "What's this?"
Starbuck jerked his head to look at her. "I brought it back for you," he growled. "Consider it payment, *socialator*."
Cassie waited until the door closed to let her tears fall. Never in all the times they had been together, had Starbuck ever reminded her of her previous life. From the look of his body, he had been in a fight. {But that's not possible} she thought. {The only other person down there had been . . . Apollo.}
Getting dressed, she headed for Apollo's quarters. She was going to get to the bottom of this, no matter what. Too engrossed in her own thoughts, Cassie ran headlong into Athena. Looking up, she rolled her eyes. "Have you seen your brother?"
Athena didn't like the tone of the Med Tech's voice, and wasn't about to tell her anything. "Where's Starbuck?"
Cassie narrowed her gaze on the taller woman. "Why? Are you feeling lonely?"
Athena glared at her. "Why you little . . . He tried to kill Apollo, and I want to know where he is."
Cassie met her glare with blazing blue eyes. "He left my quarters in quite a state, but I'm sure he's not looking for you."
"Well, if he left your quarters, you didn't satisfy him," Athena retorted. "He's probably looking for a real woman."
"Well, then he's not looking for you," Cassie spat, before she slapped Athena across the face. The warrior growled and slugged her in the jaw. In microns all that could be seen was limbs and hair, as a full blown cat fight ensued.
"Frak!" Boomer exclaimed, as he and Jolly came around the corner. The two men ran over, and yanked the wildcats apart.
Boomer looked from one to the other. "What's going on?" Neither answered. "Look, I know you both have a thing for Starbuck, but this is ridiculous."
"Oh, shut up!" the women declared in unison, before walking off in opposite directions. Boomer and Jolly looked at each other and shrugged.
@@@@@
Starbuck was lying on his bunk when Apollo entered the barracks. Starbuck looked up at him, and groaned. "What the frak do you want? Care to try your luck again?"
Apollo watched Starbuck get to his feet. "As much fun as that would be, I'm here to see if the crates were moved."
Starbuck sized him up, planning where he'd land the first punch, when his gaze stopped. His eyes widened when he realized what he was seeing. Apollo's uniform was doing nothing to hide the beginnings of a magnificent erection. Licking his lips, he nodded towards it. "Is that for me?" he asked, his cock stirring at the very thought.
Apollo didn't have to look down to know what his wingman was referring to. "Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you?" Looking at the front of Starbuck's pants, he noticed a slight twitch. "Show it to Boomer, I'm sure he'll be eager to help."
Boomer walked in in time to hear the last sentence. "What do I want to help with?"
Starbuck ignored the other warrior, and glared at Apollo. "Maybe I should. You probably wouldn't know what to do with it anyway."
"Fine. Ignore me," Boomer stated. "But I put your stupid crates away. Don't all thank me at once."
"Don't worry. We won't," Apollo sneered. Turning back to Starbuck, he took a step closer. "There's one thing I know I'd do to it."
Boomer came down the stairs, and stood beside them. "If you're gonna be like this, I'll do the next survey, and let you put the crates away."
Starbuck glared at him. "You better take the manuals with you. Everyone knows you can't fly worth frak."
Boomer shoved him up against the lockers. "I can fly better than you. I don't need Apollo telling *me* how to put my helmet on."
"What are you saying, *Boomer*?" Apollo asked as he punched the man in the gut.
"Hey!" Starbuck snarled. "Your fight's with me." He shoved Apollo off of Boomer, then shoved Boomer. It was a three way shoving match that quickly became a free for all. Each man trying to get shots in on the other two.
Centons later, the three warriors lay in a heap. Apollo was the first to get up, followed by the others. Before he could leave, Starbuck grabbed his arm, and spun him around. "What did you mean before?"
Apollo grinned evilly, and drove his knee into Starbuck's groin. "That."
@@@@@
Boxey was just about to open one of the new crates when Apollo walked into the storage area. "What are you doing?" he demanded harshly.
The boy gasped, and spun around. "I just wanted to see the new minerals."
Apollo had to concentrate to keep his anger in check. He always let his son pick a stone from the survey deposits. "I'm sorry, Boxey. Here, let me help you."
When Apollo opened the crate, Boxey reached in and touched the stones. The entire crate glowed a brilliant green, then changed to purple. The boy's eyes widened in awe. "Wow. Did they do that for you, Dad?"
Apollo stared at the minerals. "Not exactly. When Starbuck and I touched them, they only glowed green. Maybe they like you."
Boxey giggled. "Dad. They're just stones."
@@@@@
Starbuck wandered the quarters, finally having stopped limping. He was still tender after the meeting with Apollo's knee. Looking up and down the hallway to be sure he was alone, Starbuck tentitively touched himself. His eyes widened when he realized he was hard.
Stroking himself, he contemplated his arousal. He had never been turned on by a fight before, but he determined that that was not it. As he remembered seeing Apollo's erection, his own need increased. Closing his eyes, Starbuck slipped his hand inside his pants, and began fondling himself. He moaned as he imagined Apollo being the one who was touching him.
"Aw, poor baby. Let me get that for you." Starbuck's eyes flew open, and his hand jerked from his pants. He looked up to see a very sexy, very aroused Athena, her eyes darkened with desire. She didn't give him a chance to answer, before shoving him against the wall. Grabbing Starbuck's hips, she clamped her mouth on his and forced her tongue inside.
Starbuck moaned when Athena thrust against him. He could feel her hard nipples against his chest. He gasped when she ripped his shirt open, and licked at a nipple. Athena groaned as her hand dove into his pants, and roughly stroked his cock.
Apollo and Cassiopea came around the corner, and froze at the display unfolding before them. Cassie slid her breasts up and down the Captain's arm, and purred. "Remind you of anyone?"
After taking Boxey back to their quarters, Apollo had met up with Cassie in a different corridor. The Med Tech had accosted him in the same way his sister was now attacking Starbuck. Apollo found himself becoming hard as he watched them, wishing he was in Athena's place. He didn't admit to it at the time, but he so wanted to take Starbuck in the barracks.
Starbuck's eyes locked with his Captain's, and he moaned. {Sagan, Apollo} he thought. {Why aren't you doing this to me, instead of your little sister?} When Athena knelt before him and began undoing his pants, Starbuck panicked. "Apollo, help!"
Cassie ran up behind Athena, and tugged at her shoulders. "Come on, honey. You're too much for this flyboy. Let's find you someone who'll appreciate you."
"Are you offering, Cass?" Athena asked as she stood up. Cassie saw the sultry, wanton look in her eyes, and dragged her down the corridor into her quarters.
The two women stripped hurriedly, and fell on the bed together. Their limbs entwined as they caressed, explored and kissed one another. Cassie slid slowly down Athena's body, taking each breast into her mouth, she sucked and licked them. Athena groaned in pleasure, as the talented Med Tech forcefully thrust a finger inside her.
Cassie's moans were lost against the warrior's skin, as Athena caressed her breasts and flicked her thumbs across the nipples. Unable to hold on any longer, Cassie slid down further until she as laying between her lover's legs. Caressing a breast with her hand, she thrust her tongue inside Athena. The other cried out in passion, feeling every flick of the strong muscle stroking her. She came immediately, and screamed in ecstasy. "Cas-sio-pea!"
@@@@@
Apollo led his dishevelled wingman up the few decks to his quarters. Turning on the lights, he looked around for Boxey. "He must be at my father's."
"Good. We're alone," Starbuck said as he removed his torn shirt. Striding over to Apollo, he pressed up against him. "Love, you don't know how long I've waited for this."
Apollo wrapped his arms around Starbuck, and kissed him. Gently prying his friend's lips open, he slipped his tongue into the Lieutenant's mouth. Starbuck gripped Apollo's ass, and revelled in the taste of him. He brought his hands around between them, and releaved Apollo of his pants and underwear, before slipping his own off.
The Captain removed his shirt, and thrust himself against his lover. His mind began to cloud as their erections ground together. Running his fingers through Starbuck's blonde hair, he gazed into the beautiful blue eyes. "Bed?"
Starbuck shook his head as he stared at the dark God before him. Taking hold of Apollo's cock, he pumped it urgently. "Too far."
Apollo moaned at the ministrations, and guided Starbuck to the floor. Flipping his lover onto his stomach, he straddled his ass. Taking hold of his own erection, he spread the pre-cum over it as a kind of lubrication. Grabbing Starbuck's hips, he forcefully thrust himself inside.
Starbuck gasped and cried out. He began moaning as he felt Apollo's hand grab hold of his cock. Meeting Apollo's thrusts, he backed into his lover, and thrust forward into the clenched fist. Soon every muscle in his body tensed as he climaxed, harder than ever before.
At the tightening of the sheath around his erection, Apollo only saw bright colors. He came violently into Starbuck, and cried out at the release. "Star-buck! I love you!"
@@@@@
Several centons later, the two wingmates lay on the floor, covered by a blanket Apollo had retrieved. They were wrapped in each other's arms, and kissing lovingly. They jumped when the door slid open.
Boxey's eyes widened at the sight, but he quickly accepted it. He knelt down beside Starbuck, and took the stone from his pocket. "Hey, Starbuck. Did you see what Dad gave me?"
As Starbuck watched the stone changed back to green. Without warning, Apollo sat up and glared at his son. "Boxey, get out of here!"
Starbuck jerked his head towards his lover. "Take it easy, Apollo."
"Don't even try to tell me how to raise my son! You frakking orphan! You don't even know what a family is!"
Boxey jumped back as the two began fighting. He watched them roll across the floor, punching and kicking each other. Staring down at the stone, the boy began rubbing at it nervously. He wanted them to stop hurting each other, but he was only little and didn't know what he could do. The stone suddenly changed from green to blue.
Almost immediately Apollo and Starbuck ceased, and began hugging each other. They whispered heartfelt apologies, and kissed. Boxey stared at the stone in his hand, and knew he held the key.
@@@@@
Adama was surprised when he got the communication from Boxey to meet him in the cargo area. He was a little concerned when the boy asked him to come alone. It wasn't anyone's anniversary, so there was no reason to be secretive.
Adama entered the cargo area, and found Boxey unsuccessfully trying to push a crate towards the airlock. He walked up behind his grandson. "Here. Let me help you with that. Where are we taking it?"
Boxey pushed the Commander with all his might. "NO!! Don't touch it! You'll change too."
Adama knelt down in front of Boxey, and placed his hands on the boy's shoulders. "What's going on? What are you talking about?"
Boxey looked pleadingly into his eyes. "This is the crate that Dad and Starbuck brought back. Please, Grandpa, we have to get rid of it. Everyone who has touched the stones is acting weird." He took a deep breath, and tried to explain. "Dad and Starbuck were being nice to each other, but when the stone changed color, they started fighting. When it changed again, they stopped and said 'sorry'."
Adama didn't question Boxey's story, he had noticed a change in his son. At the time he had dismissed it as stress, but knew there was something more going on. Calling two technicians over, they quickly anchored all the crates, except the mineral deposits. They ran out of the cargo area just before the alarm sounded and the airlock opened. The newest crates were sucked out into space, and the area was pressurized.
@@@@@
Athena and Cassiopea lay on the bed, Cassie's head resting on Athena's shoulder. The Med Tech glided a hand across her lover's smooth stomach, and squeezed her gently. She felt the warrior pull the blanket up around her shoulders. "Did you see Boxey earlier?"
"Yeah, but I think my nephew was trying to be invisible." Athena rubbed her lover's shoulder. "What do you think he wanted?"
Cassie shrugged, and kissed her neck. "Don't know, but he left. You're all mine now."
Athena lifted the blonde's chin, and kissed her passionately. "Why were we competing for Starbuck, when this is so right? We've wasted too much time on that boy."
Cassie nodded, and returned the kiss. "We should have done this a long time ago. Dumped that womanizing daggit, and been together."
Athena slowly sat up, and wrapped her arms around her Med Tech. Her smile revealing innocence and insecurity. "Does this mean you enjoyed it?"
Cassie's mouth gaped in awe. "Are you kidding?" She kissed her lover's forehead, and hugged her tight. "After being with you . . . Athena, I think I'm falling in love."
The warrior tightened her grip, and kissed Cassie. "Well, I'll do you one better. I know I love you, Cassie."
@@@@@
Boxey finished his story with a huge, proud grin. Apollo and Starbuck looked at one another, questioningly. The Lieutenant's mind was reeling. All this was the effect of some stones? Did that mean Apollo didn't really love him? "So, now that they're off the ship, they don't affect us?"
The boy nodded. "I got all of them. Even the ones Athena and Cassie had. They're all gone, you won't fight anymore."
The Captain knelt down before his son, and removed a cluster from his uniform. "For bravery in the field, Boxey, this is your medal. I'm very proud of you, son."
Boxey took the cluster, and wrapped his arms around Apollo's neck. "Thanks, Dad."
Starbuck's eyes began to fill. He hadn't enjoyed fighting with his friend; physically beating on him would be something he would always regret. If was the other effects the mineral had that he would miss. For once, in his nearly thirty yahrens, he felt truly loved. Now that the stones were gone, so was the love.
Starbuck rose to his feet, and started heading for the door. "I'll leave you to your celebrating. Good job, kid."
Apollo jumped up, and grabbed his hand. Turning Starbuck to face him, he saw the tears in his lover's eyes. "Boxey . . ."
The boy raised his hand. "I know, I know. Go see what Grandpa's doing."
As the door slid closed, Apollo led Starbuck to the longseat. Sitting down, he wrapped his arms around the Lieutenant. "Where were you going?"
Starbuck tried to push away, but soon relented and dropped his head against Apollo's chest. "You heard Boxey. This was all because of those stones."
Apollo lifted his lover's chin, and looked into his blue eyes. "The fighting, yes. Sagan! I am so sorry for hurting you. You know I would never attack you like that, right?" The other gave a non-committal nod. "Starbuck, the rest - the passion, the love, the desire - that wasn't because of the stones. Love, I have wanted you since we met at the Academy."
Starbuck's expression registered shock. "But Boxey said . . ."
"The stones just pushed us to do something we should've done a long time ago. Starbuck, I love you. Please believe that." To prove his point, Apollo kissed him. He desperately tried to relay the worded message through the gesture, and nearly cried when it was returned.
Starbuck broke the kiss, centons later. He let his tears flow, as he held his lover close. When Starbuck felt he could trust his voice, he whispered into Apollo's ear. "Can I take you up on that offer now, Love?"
The two warriors stood up, arms around one another, and headed to the bedroom. They were going to prove to each other that, mineral deposit or no, their love was real.
THE END . . .