Reality is Perspective: Chapter One

Kara stood at the kitchen counter in the apartment she had begun to think of as home. She pretended that as she stood staring at the metal wall she was really looking out through a window into a big beautiful backyard. To raise a child the way they were just wasn't right, she needed a backyard. Suddenly she heard the familiar patter she slowly dropped behind the counter and listen to speed of their approach. As she held herself there as silently as possible her senses lit up on fire, every sound was amplified a thousand times. Letting a laugh mask the noise of her movement Kara dashed from her current hiding place around the counter to the doorway wall and waited.

"Dada!" Kara shook her head as she heard more giggles. "Mommy?" Kara held herself as still as possible and waited. Then patter of feet clearly split into two sets both of which Kara recognized. A heavy set that had changed since the beginning. In the beginning the evil in the steps was palatable and Kara had shivered every time she heard, now she heard hope. The smaller set barely touched the floor.

The heavy footsteps stopped outside the door frame while the gentle ones continued on in a more delicate and apprehensive state, as if somehow picking up on Kara's tension just on the other side of the wall. Kara counted out the steps.

Finally, in one swift sleek motion Kara moved forward and swept the girl off her feet. Twirling her around Kara smiled as the girl in her arms squealed in delight. She clutched to Kara in sheer hysterical glee. Kara leaned in and began to try and place kisses along her neck. The toddler began to squirm and laugh as Kara tried to balance the baby in her arms and keep up the silly torture. After a few moments both Kara and Kacey were out of breath, Kara slumped down the wall holding the giggling Kacey close. Kasey smiled at Kara and began petting her long hair.

"Hey baby girl."

She couldn't pinpoint exactly when things changed. It started small; it started after Kacey had fallen. She had taken his hand. In the hospital all she could think was that it was her fault that her daughter was lying in that hospital bed. She could feel her memories of her mother creeping up on her. When Leoben had finally moved from the couch to the chair at her side all she wanted was his forgiveness. So she took his hand.

When Kacey was released and come back with Kara it was the first time in almost six months that her thoughts had diverted from hate and killing. The first time in two years. Kara had taken Kacey under her wing for the next week, never allowing the girl to be out of her sight. Things had progressed from there.

She didn't look at sharp things and think how to hide them for later use. In turn Leoben began to trust her and started bringing things back with him. After almost two months Kara had a full set of dishes, silverware, tablemates, napkins, and fresh food. Along with all of Kacey's toys and clothes the bars at the door had been forgotten.

After three moths she had begun to laugh.

Five months after Kacey arrived there was a boom. People started screaming and there were the tell tale signs of fire fights going on. Kara scooped up her daughter and took her into her room, locking the door behind them. Leoben didn't come home that night. For a week Kacey couldn't stop asking where her father was. When he finally did return Kara was relieved. She spent that night crying on the couch.

Truth.

Adama had come.

She had stayed.

Deep down, in her subconscious she was happy Leoben had returned in one piece.

So she stopped looking back.