Dillon knelt beside him. "Oh, come on, it wasn't that bad. So, you got embarrassed. So what?"
Troy struggled to a sitting position. "'So what'? You're not the one who was laid out, dazed and confused, for ten centons!"
The blonde rolled his eyes. "You're such a baby. It was only three, and I didn't even hit you that hard."
"It wasn't the punch that did it. It was that over zealous shoulder throw afterwards. You just had to show off in front of Boomer," Troy grumbled.
"Oh, you baby," Dillon ribbed. He'd barely got the words out when the other launched from the longseat and tackled him. They wrestled around on the floor until Troy straddled his chest. Dillon smirked up at him. "I thought you were wounded."
"I can still beat you. What are you gonna do now, Dil? Who's the baby now?" he taunted.
Dillon wrapped his hands around the slim waist and lifted his head. He knew he'd surprise his lover with this move. Taking the trouser button in his teeth, he undid it. Gripping the zipper he lowered it. A little wiggle of Troy's hips and his snack popped out. Taking the semi-hard cock into his mouth, he licked it like an ice mushie.
Troy gasped and pulled away. "Where the frak did you learn that?"
The blonde beamed. "Look, Ma, no hands. Now put that back, I'm hungry."
The darker young man was never one to argue in times of his lover's starvation, and eagerly complied. He rocked forward and Dillon recaptured the tasty morsel. Licking and sucking until it gave up its delicious flavor.
//////
It had been two months since Starbuck asked him to stay. Last secton Apollo had made his first venture out of the Captain's quarters on his own. He'd been apprehensive at first, not know how the others would react to him. For the most part they treated him like he'd never left; it was times like these when you learned who your friends were. The thing that hurt the most was how Athena completely ignored him, and she wasn't even ambiguous about it. As soon as he entered a room she'd just up and leave, not even an excuse.
Apollo turned the corner to another innumerous corridor and spotted the blonde ahead of him. "Bojay, wait up," he called and ran to meet him.
The pilot turned. "Captain!" He snapped his fingers. "Oh, that's right. You're not now, are you?"
He stopped short and realized Bojay was one of the other kind. He made to turn away, but felt a hand on his arm. "Come on. I was only joking." Apollo turned. "It's just that I'm surprised the Captain let you off your leash."
Apollo was trying hard to keep his temper in check. "I have to go," he stated through gritted teeth, and yanked his arm free.
Bojay laughed. "That's right. Run crying to your faggot buddy! His hole's probably gettin' lonely." He sneered as his prey turned, one more and he'd reel him in. "Do you even know what the queer Captain did to your beloved Boxey? He turned him into a little boy dick holder!"
"You lying daggit!!" Apollo roared and charged, tackling Bojay. They went down swinging. Each giving as good as they got, punch after punch. They rolled across the small width of the corridor, battering one another. Bojay landed his fist squarely in Apollo's chest, knocking the wind and fight out of him.
Standing the pilot repeatedly drove his boot into his prey. Stomach, ribs, back, he didn't care; whatever the Captain's pet left prone as he writhed from the blows. He realized his victim was unconscious, landed three more kicks, and left him for dead.
//////
Troy talked Dillon into a walk around the ship, with a promise to get him back later. For the most part they liked wandering the corridors, except when they ran into the small minds. Troy remembered their first walk. They hadn't thought to keep their feelings curbed, and strolled through the ship holding hands. They'd been out half a centare when three Cadets walked up to them. The small minded trio had insulted and jeered them until Dillon fell for the goading and attacked. It had been a brutal five way fist fest, finally broken up when Boomer and Sheba happened by.
Dillon kissed his boyfriend's cheek. "What are you thinking about, baby?"
Troy squeezed his hand. "Just that run in we had with Masico and his buddies."
He frowned. "Hey, we're careful now. Besides, Boomer said he'd look the other way if we wanted to kick the frak out of them."
Troy shook his head, wrapping an arm around the taller's waist. "No, he didn't, and you know it. He said not to take their felgercarb, that's all."
Dillon nodded. "Right. And I took that to mean 'beat the frak out of them'."
"You're hopeless, but I love you, anyway." Troy kissed him and turned to look ahead. His eyes caught sight of a figure laying prone not five metrons away. His feet moved like turbos as he realized who it was, Dillon hot on his tail. "Sagan! Dad!!"
//////
Starbuck barrelled through the Life Center door before it had fully opened. He'd been on a long patrol, and when he landed Tigh was waiting for him. He didn't even have to get out of his cockpit to know something was wrong; the Commander never came down to the bays.
Troy spotted him, ran over, and wrapped his arms around the distraught older man. "Starbuck, I'm so sorry. Salik's in with him now, but it doesn't look good."
"What happened?" the Captain asked, brokenly.
Dillon walked over to them and rubbed Starbuck's back. "He was unconscious when we found him. Apollo's been beaten, severely. His hands were bruised so we think it was a fight, and it just got out of hand."
"'Out of hand'!!" Starbuck cried, and pulled away from them. "'Out of hand' would be a busted nose and cracked ribs. *This* is *way* different!" He glared at the Cadets. "I wanna know who did this."
"So do I," came a voice from the door. The trio turned to see Reese had joined them. He stepped up to Dillon. "I hear you had a run in with Apollo a couple months back."
The blonde Cadet stared at him. "That was a set up, and didn't mean anything. You know that."
Reese smiled. "Of course I do. But maybe you liked Starbuck a little more than you let on. Or maybe Apollo wouldn't accept your advances. Is that it? You've had the son, now you want the father. Much the way the Captain here traded up."
Starbuck tried to press passed Dillon. "Just shut your mouth, Reese," he snarled.
"Or what?" the blackshirt taunted. The Captain pushed him, and they engaged in a shoving match. Troy and Dillon pulled them apart. Reese spat at his opponent. "Come on, tough guy. Let's go!"
"Not in my Life Center!" Salik ordered as he came out of the exam area. Tigh might command the battlestar as a whole, but in here he was the Commander.
Starbuck pulled from Dillon's grip. "How is he? Can I see him?"
The doctor turned concerned eyes on him. "I've had to sedate him for now. Why don't we sit down." The Captain was reluctant, but Dillon steered him to the chairs. "Apollo's injuries are grave. He received internal injuries and extensive blood loss; I was able to repair that. The biggest concern right now is his spine." He paused, letting the information sink in. Several of the nerves connecting to the lower quarter were either severed or pinched. I repaired what I could, but it will be some time, if at all, before he walks again."
Starbuck sank to the floor, barely noticing Troy and Dillon's arms encircling him. The floodgates opened and he couldn't stop the tears if he tried. He zoned out as the guilt hit full force. Why had he gone on patrol? Why hadn't he stayed behind? Sagan, why had he let Apollo out of his sight?
Dillon met Troy's sad eyes. "Are you alright?" His lover nodded. "We should get him back to his quarters."
Troy shook his head, fervently. "No. He's coming home with us. I'm not leaving him alone like this."
"I'll need you all for questioning," Reese stated, arrogantly.
Troy turned and punched him in the face. He stood over the stunned security chief. "Frak! We just found out my father may never walk again, you son of a daggit. Have some respect!"
The young men pulled an all too compliant Starbuck to his feet, and, with their arms around him, took him back to their quarters.
//////
Dillon lay in their bed holding Troy and rubbing his back. "Are you alright?"
The smalled man nuzzled into him. "I don't know. Apollo was doing so well; Starbuck almost had him back to normal. Lords, isn't he ever going to be allowed to he happy?"
The blonde kissed his forehead and hair, tenderly. "We'll find who did this. I promise you, the boray won't get off."
Troy kissed him and squeezed gently. "I love you so much. Thank you, Dil."
Dillon smiled and cupped his lover's face. "I love you too, baby." He looked into the deep brown eyes. "Do you think Starbuck's alright? I don't like leaving him in there alone."
Troy considered the Captain laying alone in the storage turned spare room. "Sweetheart, would it be okay to invite him in here with us? Just for tonight," he added, not wanting to upset his mate.
Dillon smiled. "I thought you'd never ask. Let's go get him."
//////
Starbuck stirred and felt the warm body next to him. He rolled over, wrapped his arms around the slim figure, and snuggled in. "Hmmm, Troy," he mumbled, contentedly.
"'Fraid not, Cap'n," Dillon replied, smiling. He kissed the older man's cheek and held him tight for a micron. "Come on, beautiful, or your ovas will get cold."
Starbuck stared after the gorgeous, half naked figure. How had he gotten in here? The last thing he remembered was crying himself to sleep. The boys must have carried him in. Thinking about that, he chastised himself for the feeling it gave him.
The Captain walked into the kitchen area and sat at the table. Troy placed a plate in front of him and kissed his hair. "How'd you sleep, Bucko?"
"Strangely enough, with the two of you," he replied.
The youngsters shared a grin as they sat down. Troy petted Starbuck's arm. "Tigh commed earlier, he's giving you a few days leave. Dillon and I are going to go out for a few centares, but you're welcome to lounge around here, if you like."
The Captain pushed his plate away, suddenly not hungry, and walked over to the longseat. "Don't you get it?? I can't just sit around!" he ranted. "Besides, I should go back to my own quarters. I've intruded long enough."
Dillon felt he should be the one to answer that. He sat Starbuck down and pulled him close. "Listen, honey. We want you here with us. We'd like you to stay as long as you need, and if that's until Apollo's released from Life Center, so be it."
Troy knelt before their guest. "I know what you mean about sitting around, Love," He consoled, rubbing Starbuck's leg. "So, why don't you go visit Dad? But please come back here afterwards. None of us needs to be alone now."
//////
Apollo lay on a specially designed med bed for spinal injuries; it rotated length-wise once every centare. Salik explained that the process had been completed and Starbuck could see him for a few centons only. The Captain nodded his thanks, and walked into the room. "Hey, buddy. How ya doin'?"
Apollo's one green eye that wasn't swollen shut stared at him. "How should I feel? Salik says I'll never walk again," he replied, bitterly.
Starbuck took his best friend's hand. "That's not what he said."
The darker man snorted. "Oh, right. I 'may in time'. What the frak's the difference? I'm a cripple, Starbuck."
He squeezed the hand in his as if it would change his lover's mind. "No, you're not! Now, stop it. You'll be out of here by next secton. You're not alone. I'll be there for you every centon, Love."
Apollo took his hand back. "Don't call me that." He saw the pain in the blue eyes and turned away. "You better get used to it, Bucko. I'll never do that again either. If you were," his voice caught," like the others, you'd kill me and be done with it." He turned back and stared at him. "I'm no good to you like this. I'm useless."
Starbuck's eyes welled, but he refused to shed the tears. He wanted to ask Apollo who had done this, but somehow felt he shouldn't yet. He stood, placed a kiss on his unresponsive lover's forehead, and left. He'd ask him next time; maybe he'd be feeling better.
//////
Bojay had heard fourth hand about the 'vicious attack on poor Apollo'. He laughed; poor, queer Apollo more like! The rumors were vague, but the word 'paralysis' put a sweet smile on his lips. He'd been all too happy to comfort the distraught Sheba last night. She was a beautiful one, especially out of uniform.
His happiness turned to nausea as he saw Troy and Dillon walking towards him. Now if he had been the one to find poor Boxey, he'd have whipped him into shape real quick. That's all their wimpy ass kind needed; a good thrashing. No boy *he* saved would dare become a cock sucker! He put on a forced, pleasant smile. "Cadets. Troy, how's your father doing?" {Dead yet?} he silently prayed.
Troy smiled, sadly. "Good, thanks. I talked to Salik earlier, and he said Dad would be released next secton." He didn't offer anything else. "Bojay, you hear a lot of stuff. Any news about the attack?"
{Yes, I tried to kill that pansy father of yours. Next question} he thought with an inner smile. Composing himself, he shook his head. "Sorry, Troy. Whoever the guys were, they're not advertising."
"'Guys'? You think it was more than one?" Dillon asked, incredulously.
Bojay nodded, sympathetically. "I really doubt one man could do the kind of damage I've been hearing about."
Troy nudged his mate. "Come on. There's a . . . *guy* I want to talk to. Thanks, Bojay."
"Anytime," he called to the retreating pair. "Anytime." He smiled as he thought of the investigation; there was nothing to link him to the attack. Bojay was lucky he'd forgotten to log out of the simulator, and also that his opponent hadn't punched him in the face. He knew of Apollo's state of mind, and that he would never admit to having the pogees kicked out of him by someone he deemed as 'weak'.
//////
Masico had come over from the Aries freighter to enlist in the military. Like so many others, who weren't from the Galactica, he was assigned a bunk in the Cadets' barracks. He was just closing the door to his locker when he found himself spun around and slammed against it. He was looking into a pair of menacing brown eyes.
Troy got right up into his face. "What do you know about my father's attack, mindwipe?"
Dillon smiled, he loved watching his mate intimidate people. Masico scoffed. "Only that it's about time somebody got one of you Kobol queers. Everyone knows your grandfather and the Commander had a thing goin'."
Troy slammed his fist into the boray's gut. It wasn't widely known by this generation that Troy was adopted, and he wasn't about to correct him. When Masico made to return the punch, Dillon grabbed his arm and pulled it back. "That wouldn't be very nice, Massy. Troy's only asking you a question."
"And two against one is 'nice'?" asked a newly arrived Cadet, one of Masico's buddies. "Even if it takes two of you to make a real man."
"Well, now. This *is* gonna be fun," Dillon stated, with enthusiasm. He turned to Troy. "Darling, I'll let you have this one. I want to play with our new friend here."
It was hard to tell who threw the first punch as two separate fights broke out. Dillon launched himself at his opponent, and they rolled down the stairs. Troy and Masico slammed each other into the row of lockers until they too fell on the floor. The confined space meant the two pairs rolled into each other, but were able to stay in their own brawl.
////// Starbuck jumped to his feet when a pair resembling Troy and Dillon walked into the quarters. Their clothes were torn, and they had various scrapes and bruises. "What the frak happened to you two?"
"He fell down and I walked into a door," Troy offered, and they both grinned.
The Captain just shook his head. "Get yourselves cleaned up and we'll eat."
"How's Dad?" Troy asked. When the older man's expression turned somber, he went over and embraced him. "It's going to be alright, Bucko."
He held on tight. "I don't think so, kid. He didn't even sound like he wanted to get out of there."
Troy cupped Starbuck's face. "We'll find who did this and make them pay."
The Captain was surprised when he was pulled in for a kiss. He'd accepted the boy's tongue before he remembered where he was. Pulling back he stared over at Dillon. He had expected the other to charge over and pull them apart. The blonde young man only smiled back, with caring and love in his eyes.
//////
Starbuck went to the boys' room to wish them good night, and found himself seated on the bed. Troy sat to his left. "We want you to be with us tonight, Starbuck."
He shook his head. "I was intruding last night. You boys need your time."
Dillon sat on his left, nuzzling his neck and shoulder. "You're never an intrusion, beautiful. You need to be loved tonight, Starbuck. Let us be the ones to love you."
The Captain moaned softly as Troy kissed him, parting his lips to allow the boy's tongue to slip in. He felt familiar hands on his shoulders while another set eased his tunic off. He felt a weight shift behind him and Troy released him. Turning, he found himself being pulled down on top of a bare chested Dillon. Their first kiss was tentative, hesitant, but there was such energy running between them that it soon became needy and longing.
Dillon maneuvered so they were side by side. Rubbing his hands along the muscled back, chest and stomach, he gazed blue into blue. Undoing his own trousers, he gave the determined hand easier access. "You are so beautiful, Starbuck," he whispered, admiringly.
The Captain smiled as his new partner thrust into his hand. Bending down, he tasted a nipple. "No fair," he pouted into the chest. "You stole my line."
Dillon's laugh was lost in a gasp as his tiny bud was nipped. "Ohhh, you are good," he groaned.
Starbuck turned his head, and was surprised to see Troy kneeling passively beside the bed. The young man smiled with desire at the questioning gaze. "I want to watch my blonde beauties play."
The Captain turned back to look at Dillon, and found himself underneath the surprisingly strong young man. A kiss designed to take his breath away did just that, and he whimpered at the loss of the delicious lips. His whimpers turned to moans as his body was licked, sucked and nipped until he was a writhing, brainless heap against the mattress. He almost lost consciousness when the hot, wet mouth swallowed his erection whole.
Troy watched his lovers as he stroked himself. As soon as he'd handed Starbuck over to Dillon he'd stripped his clothes. He knew what he'd said, but he wasn't going to let them have all the fun. Climbing onto the bed, he ran his fingers through Dillon's hair. "Don't finish him."
Dillon released the swollen shaft and looked up at him. "Care to join us, baby?"
Troy kissed Starbuck, tenderly. "Is that alright, Love?"
The Captain could only nod, roll onto his side, and pull on Dillon's hips, trying to get him into a sixty-nine position. The blonde boy shook his head. "No, darling," he softly admonished. "Tonight is for you."
Starbuck looked into his eyes. "Anything . . . I want?" The boy nodded. "Then . . . let me . . . taste you," he gasped.
Dillon looked at Troy, but only received a shrug and a nod. Getting into position, he recaptured his prize, and had to fight hard not to bite down as he was swallowed. Troy lubed and stretched the Captain in record time, entering in one smooth thrust. Starbuck almost lost control, as Troy had an uncanny knack for hitting the prostate on the first thrust.
As Troy thrust into him, the Captain thrust back in answer and forward into the mouth sucking and licking him to completion. Everytime Starbuck thrust into his mouth, Dillon returned the favor, completing the steady and aggressive rhythm. Troy's was the only cry heard as all three came simultaneously.
They lay in the bed, with Starbuck sandwiched in the middle. He had a gorgeous head on each shoulder and divided kisses between them. The boys lazily kissed one another over his chest, and reached up to kiss him. He sighed with contentment. "Thank you. I haven't done anything like this since I was a Cadet."
Dillon looked up, excitedly. "We're glad you enjoyed it, beautiful. Does this mean you'll join us again?"
An image of Apollo came to the Captain and he sighed. "I don't think so, guys . . . I can't."
Troy sat up and stroked the older man's face. "Love, don't do this to yourself. Dad won't be mad at you."
Starbuck's eyes filled with tears, and they fell to his hair. "You didn't see him, Troy. He already thinks he's lost me. I can't hurt him."
Dillon kissed him, softly. "You haven't. It's not like Apollo's here, and we're making him watch. If you truly don't want to *for yourself*, that's alright. But if this is because you feel guilty that he might find out, we won't tell him." He kissed him again. "Starbuck, darling, he gets out next secton. We never have to be together again after that. But please enjoy what we're offering you until then.
//////
"But why?" Starbuck asked, not believing his ears.
Salik placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Starbuck, but that's what he said."
The Captain shook his head, he couldn't accept it. He couldn't accept that Apollo refused to see him. "Maybe he didn't mean me," he pleaded.
The doctor lowered his head. He hated telling people their loved ones didn't want to see them; both those that visited and the patients. "He said no visitors. When I asked him about you, he replied 'especially not him'. I'm sorry, Starbuck."
"He's still getting out next secton, right?" asked the teary eyed blonde. Salik nodded. "Well, tell Apollo I'll be here to pick him up early second cycle."
//////
Salik watched his patient as the man steadily progressed with the hydraulic braces. The doctor had refused to issue him a hoverchair, because it was too bulky. The braces - which clamped around his hips, waist and thighs - were specifically designed to enable a paralyzed person to walk, with limited pressure on the spine. They were originally invented before the thousand yahren war to allow people in zero gravity shuttles to walk as if they were planetside.
Apollo initially didn't like the idea. He had argued that with the chair he'd have some control, where the braces did the thinking for him. Salik wouldn't have any of it, and Apollo had been training with the felgercarbish contraption for four days now.
He sat beside the doctor. "Well? Am I good enough to get out of here?"
Salik sighed. "Starbuck said he'd pick you up in a centare," he repeated for the seventh time that day.
Apollo shook his head, stubbornly. "I can get to the quarters on my own! Besides, I have to see Troy first, and I don't want Starbuck there when I do."
The doctor nodded, reluctantly. "I have no grounds on which to keep you here, but I do want to see you in three days."
//////
Dillon walked into the living area to see Troy and Starbuck standing beside the longseat, embracing and kissing. He walked up behind the Captain. "Is this a private party, or can anyone join?"
Starbuck smiled at Troy as he answered the newcomer. "Well, not just anyone. If you're tall, gorgeous, blonde and tasty, you're in."
Dillon slid up behind the older man. "Well, beautiful, that's the kindest thing anyone's said to me," he purred, nuzzling the neck.
Troy gripped the older man's hips. "Who said you could compliment my lover?"
Starbuck lowered a hand to each of their asses, pulling them close to him. "I can when he's been so good to me this past secton. You both have."
Troy met his lips and ravished the mouth of the man who was massaging his ass. Their erections were grinding together, and he couldn't suppress a moan. Starbuck's other hand was doing as kind a service to Dillon, and the blonde behind him was rubbing his cock into the older man's ass. Dillon wasn't about to let them outdo him. Reaching between the two in front of him, he took a cock in each hand and stroked them through their trousers.
The chorus of moans drowned out the sound of the door sliding open. Apollo stopped dead just inside the doorway, and stared at the trio at play. Bojay's words rang in his ears, 'He turned him into a little boy dick holder!' Picking up a nearby paperweight, Apollo hurled it at the wall behind them. The men jumped back at the sound of the smashing glass. They stared in shocked horror at the man by the door.
Apollo fixed blazing jade eyes on the man he thought loved him. "This is what you do when I'm not available? You couldn't wait to find something to bury your cock into," he accused.
Starbuck stepped forward. "Apollo, this isn't what it looks like," he tried, lamely. "I thought I was supposed to pick you up," he said, instantly realizing that was the wrong thing to say.
"What? And miss this?" Apollo shouted. "I'll move out of your quarters first thing."
Starbuck watched as his best friend turned to leave. He ran over and grabbed his shoulder. "Apollo! Love, wait."
He turned as fast as the braces would allow, and slugged the Captain in the jaw. Standing over the man he thought was his friend he raged, "I told you not to call me that! Not after this! I never want to see you again, daggit!!" With that he turned and left the quarters.
//////
Reese met the man in a secluded alcove next to the decon chambers. "You'll be interested to know Apollo isn't pressing charges. He seems to have forgotten the identity of his assailant."
Bojay smiled, lupusly. "I'm shocked. I would have thought the whore would've spilled his guts."
"I thought you did that for him," Reese laughed. He stepped forward and placed his hands on the slim waist. "It's a good thing he won't press charges. I'd hate to have to drag you out of your cell everytime you needed a good frak."
Bojay grabbed the security chief's tunic and slammed him against the wall. "Keep your voice down!" he snarled. Leaning in, he kissed his lover, savagely. "I love your ass, but you know I think your mouth's only good for one thing."
"Don't worry, Bojay. I'm not about to give away your love of holes." Reese licked his lips in anticipation. "Do I get to swallow you tonight?"
The warrior leered at him. "You know your place, Reesy. Be there after your shift." Another savage kiss. "And no talking!" he threatened.
//////
Apollo sat on a bench in the agro center. The images of what he had walked in on wouldn't leave him. {Is that where Starbuck goes when he leaves me?} he wondered. He looked down at himself and couldn't help the tears of pain from falling. If he had been anywhere near whole he might have fought to keep his lover, but he knew. No matter what Salik said, he'd never be able to serve anyone again. He gripped the locks of the braces and started to remove them. Why pretend?
"So, you're just gonna give up? You're not even gonna try?" Starbuck asked as he sat next to his best friend.
Apollo looked up, sharply. "Why should I? I obviously wasn't enough for you before, and I can't be anything to you now."
The Captain placed a hand on his shoulder, removing it when the jade fire turned on him. "'Pollo, for what it's worth, what you walked in on . . . well, it hasn't been going on that long."
Apollo scoffed. "Oh, I see. Your toy becomes defective, so you go and get a new one . . . or two." He grabbed the man's tunic. "Is it true? Did you take advantage of Boxey??"
Starbuck winced at the level of the other's voice. "I didn't take advantage of him. We were in love, yes."
"'In love'??" the darker man cried. "So Bojay was right. You never saved him, you took him for yourself!"
The Captain glared at him. "That's not true! You weren't here, so don't judge." He finally clued in to what his best friend had said. "What does Bojay have to do with this?"
Apollo's eyes widened as he realized his mistake. "Nothing. Just go away. I don't want to talk to you."
"I want to know."
"No!" he cried and shoved the blonde off the bench. Relocking the braces, he got up and walked away.
Starbuck got to his feet and easily overtook him. "You can't run from me, Apollo. You're not that fast yet."
"I don't have to," Apollo snarled. Clenching his fists, he sent one to the Captain's gut and the other to his eye. A final glare to the stunned figure on the ground before he walked away.
//////
Starbuck stood in his empty quarters, wondering what to do next. He'd returned to find that Apollo had cleared out and gone Sagan knows where. How could he have been so stupid? The three of them had had some memorable moments during the secton, but he should not have been fooling around with the boys today. He knew Apollo was being released.
Oh, Lords! That face, those eyes! The Captain couldn't get the expression out of his mind. He'd been revelling in the talents of the young men when he heard something smash against the wall just over their heads. He wished for a hull breach to suck him into space as he met the green eyes. There was such hurt and betrayal in their depths, the likes of which he'd never seen.
The Captain had known Apollo would be in the agro center; his lover often spent centares in there. He'd gone to apologize, to grovel. He had to put this right, it was Apollo he loved. When had Bojay opened his big mouth? No matter what his best friend thought, he had loved Troy; a part of him still did. Now his heart belonged to Apollo, if only he could make him understand.
He flew to the door when the chime sounded. "What do you want?" he growled at seeing his visitor.
"Hello to you too, Starbuck," Athena sniped as she stepped into the room. "I came to see my brother. I understand he had an accident."
If there was one thing the Captain could not understand it was the change this woman has overgone in the past five yahren. He counted himself lucky everytime he thought of how she'd turned down his proposals; he could never handle being sealed to what she had become. "In case you're interested, he was beaten a secton ago, and is using braces to walk." The venom was thick in his voice. "Why do you care, anyway? You haven't bothered to see either of them since they got back."
Athena's blue eyes blazed at him. "I've been busy with duty shifts, and teaching the Cadets. They're *my* family, *not* yours, in case you've forgotten."
Starbuck stepped up to her. He'd never hit a woman, but this bova was making him re-think that policy. "How can I when you keep reminding me? Don't play that duty card with me, Athena. Tigh told me you resigned from the Cadet program the *day* Troy signed up."
She was barely containing the urge to punch him. "At least *I* didn't take them to bed in the pretense of *helping*. Tell me, Starbuck. Which one's the better frak?"
The Captain grabbed her by the back of the neck and dragged her to the door. "That's it. Get out! We're all better off if you just stay away."
"What the frak did she want?"
Starbuck turned, after Athena disappeared around the corner, to find himself face to face with Bojay. "To cause trouble, what else? Why are you here?"
{Oh, to see how the cripple's doing} Bojay thought. He raised his hands in surrender. "Just walkin' down the corridor, Captain."
Starbuck eyed him suspiciously, he'd never really liked the Piscean. "Do you have a centare? I was going down to the OC."
Bojay smiled. If he played his hand right, this could be interesting. "Yeah, sure. You look like you need a drink."
"Believe me, I do," the Captain replied with a smile. If he played his hand right, this could be interesting.
//////
"I'm sure it's nothing," Dillon said as they watched the two blonde warriors enter the OC.
Troy shrugged. "Bojay's the biggest daggit in the fleet. Bucko knows that. Why is he chumming with him?"
Dillon smiled. "You know the Captain, baby. He's got something up his sleeve. Now, weren't we supposed to be finding Apollo?"
Troy kissed him on the cheek. "You're right, love . . . I hope," he added under his breath.
//////
Apollo sat in the celestial dome, staring out at the stars. Why had everything gone to the turboflush? "Because you're jealous of your own son," his conscience replied. He wondered how different it would be if he'd returned before Troy. If Starbuck had helped him first.
Apollo would've loved Starbuck to the end. "You still can if you get off your astrum," the voice said. There was no point now, he'd ended it. There was no way the Captain would take him back. Maybe it was better to just let Troy and Dillon have Starbuck.
The one thing Apollo did know for certain was that he wanted another crack at Bojay. When the braces came off he would find the daggit, and show him what a real fight was. He wouldn't fall for the cheap shot to the chest, this time he wouldn't let him get a punch in. He just might be nice enough to let the daggit live.
Apollo wanted so much to tell Starbuck that it was Bojay who had hurt him, but he knew the Captain would've gone after the Piscean. He could not allow that. This was Apollo's fight, and he'd be damned if Starbuck was going to take it out of his hands. If he even would now. He lay on the floor, looking up at the stars, wondering if he'd lost his love forever.
//////
Starbuck downed the rest of his ambrosia and smiled across the corner table at Bojay. He returned the smile as best he could, without feeling ill. "So, how's Apollo doing?"
The Captain absently fingered his black eye. "He's doing better." Acting slightly drunk, he chuckled. "It's kinda funny, you asking. When I first heard Apollo'd been beaten, I thought it was you."
The Piscean's eyes widened. Frak! "Starbuck, you're not serious?" he asked, innocently. "I would never attack him, not after everything he's been through. Besides," he added, self-depricatingly. "Do you honestly think that *I* could kick Apollo's ass?"
'Yes,' he wanted to scream. Thinking a micron, he shrugged. "Bojay, don't sell yourself short. I'm sure you're better than you think," he argued, somewhat suggestively. "I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?"
Bojay leered at the blonde across from him. Leaning forward, he reached under the table to rest a hand on the Captain's knee. "I'm sure something can be arranged." Giving the joint a squeeze. "Let me buy you another, we'll go back to my quarters, and . . . you can 'apologize'."
Starbuck held his shock in, remembering he was supposed to be inebriated. Instead he took the hand that was massaging his knee and pulled it further up his thigh. Smiling, he replied huskily, "I'll be begging for your 'forgiveness'."
//////
The young pair returned to the Captain's quarters, hoping Apollo had returned. Troy saw the empty room and collapsed on the longseat. "We've checked everywhere! It's hopeless."
Dillon sat next to his lover and pulled him close. "Baby, we *will* find your father. We'll try again in awhile. He hasn't left the ship."
The darker boy clung to him. "I know, Dil. It's just . . . he's really upset. What if something happens to him? This is all my fault!"
The blonde grasped the other's face between his hands. "You are *not* to blame for this!"
Troy closed his brown eyes. "I let my feelings for Starbuck resurface. I couldn't keep my hands off him for a centon."
Dillon kissed his distraught friend, and leaned the dark head on his shoulder. "The Captain is a beautiful man. If wanting him is a crime, then I'm just as guilty." He let his blue eyes wander the room, and rest on a flatpic. "Baby, where was this taken?" he asked as he slid off the longseat, and went over to the mantel.
Troy walked up behind him. Raising onto his toes, he tried to see over the taller man's shoulder. The flatpic was of a very young Boxey, leaning against a kneeling Apollo. He smiled at the memory. "Oh, Starbuck took that just after Dad adopted me. It's in the . . ." His eyes widened. ". . . the Celestial Dome."
"The what?" Dillon turned in time to see Troy fleeing from the quarters. He had to run to catch up.
//////
Bojay steered the drugged Captain into his bedroom, and pushed him onto the bed. "Tell me, Captain. Have you ever been taken before?"
Starbuck buried his smile in the blanket. He counted himself lucky he'd seen his prey dumping the skag into his drink. He'd been able to pretend to drink it while actually emptying it onto the floor, without Bojay noticing. He rolled over, clumsily. "Yep," he replied with a giggle. "You gonna take me, big boy?"
The Piscean removed his tunic, kicked off his boots, and undid his trousers. "Right after you suck me off. I'm sure you know how. Do you think I'm beautiful?"
"Very, Jay," the Captain lied, all the while wanting to throw up. Teetering to his feet, he leaned in. "Don't I get a kiss first?"
Bojay raised his hand and slapped his prey across the face, sending him back to the mattress. "This is not about *love*, whore! Now, open your mouth, and show me how sorry you are!"
Starbuck wanted to take him down right now, but he couldn't. He was doing this for Apollo; his beloved needed him. Perching precariously on the edge of the bed, he pulled the open trousers down. Closing his eyes, he engulfed the semi-hard shaft; picturing Apollo's pleasured face.
The Piscean gripped the muscular shoulders while he was worked on. He couldn't believe how talented the Captain was. Reese may be a snivelling coward, who wouldn't go against him, but Bojay believed he had been mistaken. Starbuck was much better and more skilled. He'd have to find a way to have the Captain again.
Bojay dug his nails into the clothed shoulders and growled as he emptied himself into the waiting mouth. The Captain coughed as the flaccid organ slipped from his mouth. Working is jaw around, he wondered if the vicious thrusts from this daggit had dislocated it. Satisfied the muscles were only pulled, he lay back dutifully, awaiting the next round. Starbuck knew that nothing, short of burning his buds, would ever remove the foul taste from his mouth.
//////
Reese sneaked back into an alcove as the door to Bojay's quarters slid open. He was appalled at the sight of Starbuck clumsily staggering out. What was that daggit doing with *his* partner? The black shirt wanted to run down the corridor and beat the pogees out of the Captain. How dare he muscle in on the security chief's trick?
Instead he waited until the blonde disappeared around a far corner, and entered the quarters himself. He glared at the back of Bojay, who was getting into his tunic. "Is *he* as good as me?"
The pilot spun around and met the dark eyes. "Didn't anyone ever teach you to knock?" he spat.
Reese stepped up to him. "I never thought I had to." He ran his hands over the clothed, muscular chest. "Now, let me show you what a real man can do for you."
Bojay slapped him across the face. "I instigate, *not* you! I'm not in the mood. I'll call you when I need you."
The black shirt backpeddled in shock. "That's how it is now? Fine." He sneered as he reached the door. "I'm sure Commander Tigh will be interested in my findings on Apollo's attack."
The pilot scoffed while walking over to his desk. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
"Oh?"
The blonde opened a drawer and produced a holocube. "That is if you don't want your reputation destroyed." A feral smile formed. "You see, Reesy. I have one of these for *each* of our 'moments' together. It would be very easy to just hand them over to someone."
The security chief's jaw dropped. If he was good by his threat, and he knew he would be, his career would be over. He was also positive the other would someone make it look like *he* was involved in the attack. He held up his hands in surrender. "Alright. We both have something the other wants."
Bojay chuckled, rolling the cube in his hand. "Oh, I think mine weighs more."
Reese hung his head in defeat. Turning, he left the quarters. There had to be something he could do.
//////
Troy was fuming as they came to the ladder that led up to the Dome. "The frakkin' daggit's quarters, for Sagan's sake!"
Dillon had been waiting for this, and placed a hand on his mate's shoulder. "Maybe it's not as bad as you think," he offered.
The smaller man spun on his heels and glared at him. "Really? . . . What's your explanation for why Starbuck was swaggering out of Bojay's, looking like he'd just had a wild ride?"
The blonde hadn't seen his lover this furious in a long time. "I don't know," he shrugged.
"That's right. You don't. So, back off!" he snarled, shoving the taller man.
Dillon quickly grabbed the other's shoulders. When his mate was this enraged he lashed out blindly. "Troy! Baby, do you really want to take a swing at me?"
The darker man paused a micron, then hung his head. "I'm sorry . . . I just don't understand where Starbuck's mind is."
Dillon pulled him close and kissed his long hair. "It's alright, darling. Let's just concentrate on your dad right now."
//////
Starbuck sat alone in the OC. He was on his third cup of java, and still the taste lingered. He was astonished at how well he was keeping everything down. Bojay had been just as vicious in round two, and he was surprised he'd been able to walk out. The Captain hoped he wouldn't have to keep the charade up for much longer. All he wanted was Apollo back.
He looked up when the door opened, and groaned as Reese entered. The blonde watched while the security chief made a bee line for his table. {What do you want?} he wondered, disdainfully. He was not in the mood for anything from the black shirt.
Reese leaned his fists on the tabletop, and sneered at him. "I'm surprised you can show your face around here."
Starbuck glared back at him. "What the frak are you talking about, Reese?"
The security chief leaned in. "Just that I saw you leaving Bojay's. Weren't you spending last secton with Troy and Dillon?" he jeered. "And here I thought you were in love with Apollo."
The pilot rose slowly, menacingly. "Just shut your mouth, Reese," he snarled.
The black shirt shook his head. "You really need some new lines, *Bucko*." He met the blue ice as he straightened. "You should make up your mind. I guess with Apollo crippled, you're left with endless possibilities. Tell me . . what's it like with two little boys?"
Starbuck pulled back and punched him in the jaw. As Reese fell to the side, he took his opponent with him. The table fell on its side when they hit the floor. They rolled, trading blows and battering one another. Fists made contact as they took out their frustrations.
Boomer and Jolly entered the club, and instantly saw a crowd formed in the corner. They thought there was a Pyramid game, until they heard the growls of an obvious fight. Pushing their way through the spectators, they each grabbed a man, and pulled them apart. They held tight while the two tried to get back to each other.
"What's going on?" Boomer demanded, when it appeared Starbuck was relenting in his grip.
The Captain never took his eyes off his opponent. "I was just sitting here, and he came over and started in on me."
"Jolly, take Reese outside," the Leonid ordered. {Preferably of the ship} he added, silently.
The security chief was outraged. "Me? He threw the first punch," he whined.
The heavy pilot started dragging him to the door. "Maybe. But this is the OC, and the Captain's an officer. You're not. Now, get out!"
TBC...