Title: Almost out of the Sky
Pairing:K/L... eventually
Rating: M
Disclaimer: RDM owns the characters, but I own the madness herein. Almost out of the Sky is taken from Pablo Neruda, who speaks to my soul.
Summary: Earth, 2012. Three years after arriving on Earth, Lee takes a break from his life in Washington D.C. and comes home to his family, friends... and Kara. AU post UBex
Beta: Thanks to the wonderfulworkerbee73, who heard this idea months ago and prodded me to get it done.
A/N: This is a follow up to The Sacrifice which must be read first, otherwise you'll be all WTF? And hating me. Also, please be patient, all questions will be answered in due time. Thanks for reading!

Almost out of the Sky

It was mid-morning as Lee swallowed back a yawn, frowning at his empty coffee cup. He'd driven straight through the night, having grown impatient to be done with his solo cross-country road trip. It sounded great at the onset, but he'd already run through the loop on his iPod three times and he couldn't stand the sight of another rest stop teaming with grimy college kids on summer break.

Finally, Lee spotted signs for the small town of Ithaca Bay off the highway and took the exit, weaving through thick trees that created a dense wall of foliage against the Pacific Ocean. Driving through the seaside town, Lee tried to swallow back a wave of nostalgia. He immediately knew why his father chose this place to make his home with Laura. It was very similar to a vacation home Lee's grandfather had north of Caprica City. As soon as he and Zak could get home at the end of the school year, they'd arrive to find their father on leave for thirty days, packing up the car. Three hours later, Lee and his family would join his grandfather on his sun deck, sipping cool lemonade and tossing around a pyramid ball.

Only memories of kite flying, sandcastle building, and fishing came to mind. He remembered racing the waves back to shore with Zak while they browned their skin in the summer sun, toughening their feet against the craggy rocks. It was a time when his father was just his father, not his a war hero, not that distant man that always waved goodbye for an undetermined amount of time.

In short, it was heaven. Lee sensed that his dad might have just found a piece of that here on this new planet.

Driving along, he found himself in the quintessential small American town. Renovated shops stood next to older, lovingly worn storefronts, all painted an array of welcoming colors. There was even a large square, which seemed to be sandwiched between Main Street and smaller, residential streets. Pine trees lined many of the sidewalks — all seemed to lead toward the boardwalk set along the beach.

Lee smiled to himself. He admired the American spirit even if he didn't like their politics much. The town was small, only housed about 12,000 people, of which over two thousand were former Colonials.

He'd personally ensured that the Colonials would be placed in areas that were progressive — where residents were willing to accept newcomers who merely wanted a place to call home. It also helped that many countries were competing to get their hands on Colonial electronic and aerospace technology, as well as their advancements in medicine and hard sciences.

It had been his first act as the Colonial Senator, as the Americans dubbed him, to ensure a safe and positive environment for the fleet. Before his mind could slide backwards, he halted his line of thought abruptly. No—no thoughts about work for at least the next month. He'd save memories of the last three years of his life for when he had a full bottle of scotch on hand.

Lee finally found the street from the directions his dad emailed and couldn't help but grin. The road was lined with gravel and flanked with large, sturdy trees that led to the drive entrance. He turned his SUV through the gate and proceeded slowly as he took a chance to admire the view. It reminded him vaguely of the house in North by Northwest, which was pretty much the only thing he remembered from the film. Rolling his eyes at the thought, Lee still couldn't understand Romo's fascination with Alfred Hitchcock.

His father's house was on a corner lot that was set against an inlet of deep blue ocean water. The house was set on a cliff of sorts, where the water rushed up against the rocks down below, making the exact same whoosh sounds he remembered from childhood. He had no idea how the Old Man could afford it, but he figured it had to do with some generous compensation from various governments for contracting.

The house, although impressive looking, wasn't all that large. His father in a small house was one thing, but watching Laura Roslin holding court in a two-bedroom house with little more than a kitchen, living area and courtyard would be a sight to behold. Still, they both claimed to love the simple life they kept, and from the way his father's voice sounded on the phone, Lee couldn't help but believe him.

He grabbed his large duffel and walked to front door. Lee knocked softly, suddenly feeling a little uncertain. He couldn't recall if he'd told his dad when he'd be arriving. He hoped they weren't at too much of an inconvenience with him dropping in like this. The door opened to reveal Laura standing in front of him with a luminescent smile on her face that warmed his heart immediately. Her head fell to the side as she took him in, a slight glisten to her eyes.

"It took you long enough," she whispered as she drew him in for a tight hug. He dropped his duffle to the ground as his arms encircled her waist, laughing as she muttered something about making her 'mascara run'.

"Get in here, it's getting chilly out. I guess you'll get your homecoming with a hearty storm," she said as she released him and took a step backwards, letting him follow her in.

"Bill?" she called and Lee heard a crash and some muttering in the distance. He looked at Laura and she rolled her eyes as she shook her head.

"Bill's taken to 'tinkering' with things lately, even when they don't need to be fixed. Keep him away from my vacuum," she placed a hand on her hip and motioned around with the other.

"Grand tour?"

"Certainly."

"I'll take you to the guest bedroom so you can drop off your bag, you must be tired."

He followed her into the open living area lined with windows and into the kitchen, which had a flight of stairs right next to the fridge. She took him up the wooden stairs quickly and led him into small but a tastefully furnished earth-toned room with an incredibly large, incredibly comfortable looking bed taking up most of the space. Having gone close to two days without sleep, Lee was pretty sure that bed alone was worth the trip. A large window nearly eight-feet long and four feet high framed the bed, giving him a breath-taking view of the coastline and a bright white house nearby.

"I see you eyeing that bed. Don't worry, let me get some food in you, and I'll tell Bill to keep away long enough to let you sleep."

"It's all right. I mean, I haven't seen him in two years, he's probably forgotten what I look like," Lee said with a grin as placed his bag near a tall dresser and stood to stretch.

"Hardly. He watches the news like a five-year-old on Saturday mornings when he knows you're going to be on," she said as she turned to open the shades. He absently wondered what she knew about five-year olds as he quashed the guilt at having gone so long without visiting.

"Bathroom is in there, give the water time to warm up in the mornings, otherwise you'll be in for an unpleasant wake-up," she continued walking around the room, pointing out things he may be unfamiliar with. "Closet, and lastly, this door goes outside, so you don't have to trample through the house at all hours of the night, if you decide to stay out late or anything."

Lee emitted a shallow chuckle. "I don't think you've got anything to worry about there. Just looking for a little peace and quiet."

"Trust me. With the bunch that we've got around here, you won't be able to help yourself," she said as she led the way to the next room down the short hall.

"This is Bill's office, well, my office too, I guess," she said offhandedly. "Though, I tend to spend most of my time outside."

Lee took a look around and his eyes fell on a painting of the Galactica hanging on the wall opposite his father's desk. He wanted to inspect it further, but found himself being sucked in by Laura's conversation. She led him downstairs to a large kitchen, outfitted efficiently with every appliance he could imagine. There was another full-length glass door that led out onto the deck, which gave off the appearance of floating on the ocean. Incredible to say the least.

"In case you haven't guessed, this is where we spend most of our time. I've been taking a cooking course which has been wonderful, and Bill certainly stopped complaining about me burning all the food."

"Cooking expertise wasn't a requirement for being Madame President?" teased Lee as Laura waved a beer at him from the fridge. He took it happily and popped the lid with his key.

She paused and smiled in that all-knowing way of hers. "It boggles the mind. Besides, I was ready for more… personally fulfilling activities," she said as she sipped her water. "Come on, we're almost done."

She made her way into the living area, a large, comfortable room filled with books and possessing another fantastic view. Lee imagined they liked to drink their coffee in here in the morning, watching the world wake up.

"Down that hall is our bedroom," said Laura as she motioned with her index finger, "can't imagine you want to see that. Out here is the garage, which has recently been turned into the room of destruction. Bill calls it a workshop, but I'm not quite sure what he thinks he's fixing in there."

"What did he destroy that has you all bent out of shape?" asked Lee, fighting his grin.

"Just wait. You'll see," she said as she opened the door. She wasn't joking. It looked like Frankenstein had gone on tour and his father picked up souvenirs. The guts of nearly every imaginable machine were hanging about left and right, only a few objects remained whole. It seemed that one particular… contraption was having parts added to it. Was that part of a toaster?

"Dad?" Lee couldn't hide his shock.

"Lee?" his dad stood up quickly, surprised at seeing his son. "Didn't expect you to get here until this afternoon."

"I drove straight through—couldn't wait to get here, I guess," he said automatically, walking around a disfigured fan sitting on the floor.

Standing face-to-face, father and son looked at each other with a couple years lost between them. Lee held out his hand for a shake, but his father grabbed him by the shoulders and wrapped him in a bear hug. This time, Lee's eyes watered a little, but when he pulled away he kept his gaze downward until he could seem a little more in control.

The Old Man didn't seem to be faring much better. He took a step back and motioned for the door. "Let's get some lunch. Laura's going to have my hide when she finds out I took her mixer," said Bill as he heard Lee chuckle and shake his head.

"Ohhh she is going to kill you," said Lee. "Right in front of my eyes. At least I got a goodbye hug."

"Watch it. She still doesn't know it was you who broke her Gemanese vase a couple years ago," said Bill, effectively shutting up Lee as he led the way back to the kitchen.

Over lunch, Bill gave Lee the rundown on all the neighbors, who did what and where to go for this and that.

"Across the way in the Walker house is where Kara lives," said Laura as she motioned towards a Queen Anne style house, bedecked with a wrap-around porch, gables, and tower. It was the same one he could see from his bedroom. "If you ever get the chance, go explore it. Emily's mom, Ruby, used to own the house and would rent out rooms. That's actually how Kara ended up there in the beginning. Now it's just Kara, Emily and Max, Emily's son. I'd introduce you, but you'll meet them all soon enough."

Lee's eyes drifted over to the white house on the other side of the bay. So close. He shrugged and nodded before any more thoughts could form. "That's nice," he replied, trying his best to sound disinterested.

"When's Kara get back again?" asked Bill.

"Well the race is tomorrow, so I guess the day after," said Laura as she went to the fridge and retrieved some key lime pie.

"How'd you know that was my favorite?"

She gave Lee a wink and sat down, scooping out pieces for all three of them.

"Oh yeah, this hits the spot," Lee felt like his stomach would sigh in content if it could. A few moments later, someone knocked on the front door and then opened up, calling out for Bill.

"Danny?" Bill got up from the table and walked into the hall. "Come on in. I want you to meet my son, Lee."

Lee looked up as Bill entered the kitchen with a man slightly older than Lee's, who had a wide, easygoing smile and wavy dirty blond hair. He held out his hand and gave Lee a firm handshake.

"I feel like I know you already—I've heard so much about you," said Danny. "I'm Danny Parker. Welcome to Ithaca Bay. I hope you like it here; everyone else seems to enjoy it."

"Yeah, dad's had nothing but good things to say about this place."

"How long are you sticking around for?"

"Not sure yet, just taking a break from D.C."

"It's not too hard to get burnt out in that kind of business," Danny replied as he looked to Laura knowingly. "So Bill, I've got the circular saw for you in my truck, but Laura made me promise I'd give her a heads up if I leant you any more tools. Sorry," he gave an apologetic frown.

"I see Madame President never stopped being resourceful," cracked Lee.

"That's right, I always forget you two were big-shots," said Danny. "Well, still are, but that's besides the point. Anyway, sorry Bill, I think Laura wins this round."

"Not a problem Danny. I'll make do with what I've got."

"I bet," he said with a knowing smile. "Listen, Lee. If you don't have any plans later, we'll be getting together at Dizzy's on the pier if you want to come by around seven. Two-dollar pitchers and there'll be a couple games on. I think you know quite a few of the folks that'll be there."

"Really?" said Lee giving it some thought. "Why not? Yeah I'll drop by."

"Great. Bill can give you directions and he's got my cell if you need anything; it's pretty hard to miss regardless."

"Thanks," said Lee, feeling like it was the first time in a while he'd met someone who didn't have ulterior motives. It was a refreshing change from the endless cocktail hours he suffered through in Washington.

"Well, I'll let you all get back to your dessert," said Danny. "I'm off for a jog. I have to go exhaust Sherlock so I can get some sleep tonight."

"Good luck with that," said Bill. "I'd just tie that dog up behind my car and let him chase after it if I were you."

"The thought has crossed my mind," said Danny with a grin. "Have a splendid afternoon, Adamas." Danny gave them all a wave and left.

"Danny's a great guy. I'm glad you had a chance to meet him," said Bill as he collected the plates and headed toward the sink. "Do you need any help bringing in your stuff?"

"No," said Lee as he stood from the table and pushed in his chair. "I brought most of it in already. I think I'll just go grab a nap for a bit."

"Sounds good. Want us to wake you for dinner?"

"That's be great," Lee's voice echoed down as he climbed the stairs.

"I don't think I've ever seen him look so worn-out," said Bill quietly as he rinsed the dishes while Laura dried.

"Or that glum" replied Laura pensively. "Well, hopefully he'll meet some good friends here and turn things around. Besides, Kara's coming back and they were always close."

"Not when the quarantine was lifted. Don't you remember?"

"It was nearly three years ago, Bill. Do you really think they could still be angry with each other?"

"Not sure. Never was with those two. We'll just have to sit back and enjoy the show," said Bill as he followed his wife out onto their deck and took a seat on their patio chairs. The breeze was cool, but the clouds still hadn't unleashed their fury yet.

"Either way," said Laura over the rim of her mug of hot tea. "I have a feeling things are going to get really interesting around here."

.::.::.::.::.

True to his word, Lee came out for a few beers and a good time. So good in fact, that he agreed to come out Sunday night as well, if only because Danny promised to be able to get Karl and a few others to show up.

Prior to his second evening out on the town, he spent the majority of his day with his dad and Laura, going to a local park and having a picnic, something he never imagined doing.

"What's so funny?" asked Laura as she began collecting the items to return to the basket.

"This," said Lee. "It's all so surreal. You, playing homemaker, dad fiddling around in the garage. Three years ago, if someone told me the two most powerful people in the fleet were going to be playing Betty and Hal then I'd have bet against them with every cubit I had."

"First off," said Laura, detecting the hint of underlying sarcasm in Lee's voice. "Don't let your father hear you comparing him to a Caprican family vidprogram from our childhoods. Because, trust me, I am no Betty Anderson. Second, the whole point of being here is being able to start over, Lee. To have that second chance at life and take advantage of it, doing what we've always wanted."

"And this," said Lee as he watched his dad break away from a conversation with some neighbors, "this is what you want? A small house by the sea, a handful of Colonials and no problems? What happened to the politician I used to know?"

"She went to the same place Captain Apollo did, apparently," she retorted. Instantly regretting her harsh tone, she tried again more calmly. "Despite what you may think, you're doing a lot of good in Washington, Lee. We're all thankful for the sacrifices you've made. I know it wasn't easy."

Lee shut up at that, realizing that Laura hit on the greater issue with which he had contention. She heard the bitterness his voice and the fine accusation in his words. Why was I the one who got stuck with all the responsibility while you and dad and everyone else got to come live their lives?

"Shall we go for a turn around the lake?" asked Bill as he surveyed his two companions, sensing a little tension.

"Sure," said Lee quickly as he stood and extended his hand for Laura to grasp, looking at her with regret. She took it and gave him a solemn, knowing smile in return.

Lee struggled to push away the mounting anger and resentfulness, which seemed to be so difficult to contain as of late. Taking a deep breath, he tried to let his father's good spirits wash over him as they took the wooded trail near the lake's edge. He was saddened to find it wasn't quite doing the trick.

Lee showed up later that evening to Dizzy's and was welcomed with a round of hellos from all the new and old people he came across the prior evening. Set at the base of a far-reaching pier, the atmosphere was always merry. This was something Lee appreciated after suffering through the never-ending cutthroat crowds of politicos, lawyers, or scheming single-women. Glancing at the band around his finger, he smirked. That ring still didn't stop anyone.

He scanned the inside, eyes roaming over the impressively long and winding bar, the four billiard tables, the high-backed round tables already full of families and friends. It was quite the mix. Finally he spotted a familiar head of dirty blond hair outside on the deck and followed suit. Lee gave a shallow chuckle, but groaned inside for the poor man.

Danny, with his toothpaste-commercial smile, and 'nicest man alive' t-shirt, was cursed with wavy hair that bordered on curly. There was no doubt in his mind that this man had been called Goldilocks on more than one occasion. Lee had to bite his tongue in fear of poking fun when he hadn't yet earned the right.

"Lee Adama, where the frak have you been!?" a deep voice called out from behind Lee. Stopping, he turned and saw Karl Agathon, tall as ever, standing behind him. An unbidden smile washed over Lee's face, so happy to see such an old friend.

"Gods, Helo," said Lee with a hearty handshake and quick hug. "I've been wondering when you'd turn up."

"I ran into about five different people who told me you were in town, figured I should high-tail it out here and see what all the commotion was about. You're looking a little shaggy there, Apollo. They don't have a dress code back east?"

"Shaggy? It's only a couple inches longer than my CAG days. It makes me look a little bit older, besides, it's nice not having to get my hair cut every two weeks."

"Eh, Sharon does mine. Actually, she does all of ours," said Karl as he rubbed down his closely cropped hair. "She sends her love, by the way. Couldn't make it out tonight, but she's coming out tomorrow."

"Right. There's some bash for Kara and her training partner? Mike?"

"Sure is. We're not normally this lively around here. It should be a good time, though. Mike is one badass crazy mother-frakker. He just retired as a Navy Seal and decided, what the hell? One week before I get married, I think I'll go compete in an Ironman with the craziest woman ever."

"Wow. Maybe it's his way of handling the stress?"

"Ha," said Karl as he took sip of his pint while they walked to a nearby table and took a seat. "The man could be holding a bomb that was about to detonate in thirty seconds and he'd be asking about scores from the latest basketball game."

"Sounds like he's the only guy that could handle keeping up with Kara then," said Lee passively as he placed his order with a roaming waitress. Spotting them, Danny walked over and grabbed a chair, having finished speaking with a tall brunette.

"Who, Mike? Yeah, I think he has badass for a middle name," said Danny, picking up on the conversation. "What's up Karl? Haven't seen you around past couple weeks. How was the vacation?"

"Sharon and I took Hera down to Disneyland," explained Karl. "It was great for most of the trip. Until we found out that Hera gets… motion sick pretty easily."

"Oh, ew. Yes," said Danny in commiseration, "was it the tea-cups? Those'll get you every time."

"Disneyland?" asked Lee, mildly confused. "I thought it was Disney World."

"There's a Disneyland out here, about seven hours south," offered Danny. "Then there's Disney World in Orlando, Florida, which is this behemoth of a parent's nightmare."

"Right. Sharon mentioned that one for next year and I firmly put my foot down," said Karl, shaking his head.

"Really? She lets you do that?" mocked Danny.

"Shut-it, Goldilocks. When's that 'fro coming off anyway?"

"Leave my luscious curls alone," said Danny airily as he tossed his hair around dramatically, as Karl and Lee snickered. The three continued on their conversation, giving Lee vital tips on how to navigate the town and it's many personalities.

The brunette Danny was speaking with earlier returned a bit later, giving Lee a once-over, making him feel a way he hadn't in years. It was reminiscent of something Kara would have done and made him feel a little… off. Danny and Karl welcomed her to their table regardless, moving aside to allow her to pull up a chair. She had sharp dark brown eyes, and thick, dark brown hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. Upon closer examination, he decided that she was a force to be reckoned with.

"So you're the famous Lee Adama that's got the whole town ablaze with chatter."

Lee looked at her sheepishly and was met with a hearty round of laughter from his three companions. If he'd known coming to visit his dad would entail an interrogation from a brazen Amazon, he might have stayed in Washington.

"Give the man a break, Emily," said Karl with a wide grin. "You'll have to forgive her, Lee. She just got off shift at the hospital and hasn't finished sharpening her claws yet."

"Watch it there, Agathon. I know where your wife keeps the leash," she shot back with a smirk. "Sorry, Lee. Don't let these peons give you the wrong idea. I'm Emily Walker."

If her smile wasn't disarming enough, the dimples definitely did the trick. Something about her name registered in his head with a resounding ding. Raising his finger, he waggled it at her knowingly.

"You're the one who lives across the way from my dad. With the beautiful house and the wrap around porch, right?" She gave him a knowing smile that also reminded him of Kara, but this time it didn't seem so creepy.

"The one and only. I'm pretty sure you know one of my housemates, too."

"Is that so?"

"Watch out Lee," warned Danny. "This one was born spitting nails. You'd think she and Kara were related somehow," he shot her a wicked grin.

"Spitting nails? Are you trying to ruin my good impression? I am nothing of the sort, don't listen to a word they tell you," she said with a huff. "I know we'll be seeing tons of each other, but I just wanted to drop by and welcome you to town. I've got to go pick up my son."

She stood and tucked in her chair, ruffling Danny's hair while Lee stood to officially hold out his hand. "Nice to meet you Emily, I guess I'll see you around."

Emily shook it firmly, just like Danny, and gave him a small smile that was tinged with a hint of mischief and kindness. Certainly a deadly combination.

"Count on it, Lee. See you later boys."

Lee took his seat as they watched her leave.

"She's…" Lee let his observation patter out. He wasn't quite sure what to say.

"Ha, don't let her prickly nature fool you. She's the nicest person you'll ever meet," said Danny as he took a deep gulp of his beer. "One of the smartest, too. Guess that's why she and Kara get along so well."

"Probably. Gods Lee, you should see them together. No matter the situation, you know you're going to have a good time if both Kara and Em are there," said Karl with a sigh. "I've got to head out and stop by the grocery store before it closes."

"It was good seeing you Karl," said Lee as he stood again to shake Karl's hand. "See you and Sharon tomorrow?"

"You kidding me? I'll be front and center," said Karl with an impish grin that made Lee a little nervous. "You should come out to the house sometime, we've got a great pool and hot-tub in our neighborhood."

As Lee's muscles clamored in reply, Lee found himself nodding before he knew what happened. Karl smiled at him and pounded Danny in the fist as he took his leave. Danny sighed loudly and leaned back in his chair, somehow managing to relax Lee. There was something about Danny, something he couldn't quite place that seemed so familiar.

Brushing the thought aside, Lee settled in for an evening of easy-conversation with his new friend. Lee learned that Danny was a physical therapist and also the athletic trainer for the local high school. They also chatted about Lee's job and the things he liked to do in his free time. Unfortunately, his extracurricular activities were frightfully slim, considering he had no free time.

"Don't worry, Lee," said Danny with his classic, carefree grin. "We'll remedy that."

As Lee looked off the deck of the restaurant and out onto the water, he knew Danny would hold true to his word.

.::.::.::.::.

The following day Lee found himself knee-deep in Laura's garden, helping his dad install a fence that would hopefully keep out scavengers. His father recruited him to assist in the task, sighting Lee's strong politician arms as an excuse. Knowing a backhanded slight when he received one, Lee went about proving his father wrong.

But as the afternoon neared to a close and Lee and his dad only finished half the perimeter, he couldn't ignore the strain and sting of muscles long since retired. Frowning as he glanced at his father, he shook his head. Reverse psychology 1, Lee Adama 0.

As the day wore on, Lee felt his unease grow as he considered the way he and Kara left things before everyone went their separate ways. As a cap to their be-all, end-all argument, Kara had kissed him with unrivaled tenacity. His lips still burned at the thought of it.

Three years had passed without a word exchanged between the two.

Parking his SUV outside Dizzy's, he glanced in the mirror. Lee never really cared too much about his appearance before, but seeing Kara again brought out a side of him that'd long since been buried. The need to impress. Lee laughed at himself as he climbed out and shut the door. What was he thinking? He was a married man who worked with high-powered politicians for a living, and he was worried about impressing a woman who'd left him high and dry on New Caprica.

That's right, keep reminding yourself who the first person was to do the hurting. Maybe that'll make you feel better. Lee swallowed back the thoughts that emerged in his mind occasionally, hoping that she wouldn't publicly eviscerate him. Nothing said welcome home like a public flogging and a punch in the face.

He was welcomed with a chorus of hellos and slaps on the shoulder as he made his way through the merry crowd of gatherers, all appearing to be waiting for the triumphant return of Mike and Kara. Out of nowhere, he was wrapped in a tight hug by Cally and pulled back to see Tyrol just over her shoulder, waiting his turn.

"Welcome home, Sir," said Tyrol automatically, causing Lee to chuckle.

"I'm pretty sure we can drop the sir now," said Lee as he clapped the man on the back.

"You'd think, but people still call me Chief. Not that I mind. It's hard to answer to anything else."

Lee smiled as they talked about their brood of children, including two boys and a set of twin girls, with one more on the way. Cally laughed as Lee's eyes grew large, nudging him in the shoulder as they all walked to where Karl and Sharon were waiting. Lee also received a warm hug from Sharon and was quickly besieged by questions from his friends about Ana, his job, and what it was like in Washington.

At some point in time, he felt his stomach lurch a little and the hairs on his neck stand up. Gods, he'd forgotten that feeling. Missed it even. Kara had to be near. He looked to the entrance where Karl, Danny and his friend Ryan had drifted, holding bottles of champagne with corks ready to blow.

A tall, lean looking man whom Lee took for Mike, entered, with his fists raised and a broad smile. From Lee's position in the corner he could just make out Kara as she came in behind Mike.

Even now, after all this time, the mere sight of her took his breath away and he wanted to hate the effect she had on him, but couldn't. Her hair was long and layered, a few inches past her shoulders, and her skin had the healthy glow of someone who enjoyed being outside. She also wore that Starbuck grin and swagger he knew so well, the one that made her hips shake just so. He immediately swallowed hard, wishing he could table his thoughts and just be for once.

As Karl and several others unleashed the champagne on Kara and Mike, Lee heard her familiar cackle as she ducked for cover, then shrugged her shoulders in futility as she turned up her head to the gift of Bacchus' shower. She was absolutely radiant, and he had to hold on to the table near Sharon to stop himself from gravitating toward her.

A few minutes after Mike and Kara were appropriately doused in celebration victuals, Lee found himself in conversation again with Chief and Cally. The latter watched him knowingly as he kept casting furtive glances towards Karl and Danny who'd claimed first rights at being able to congratulate Kara.

Lee watched with interest as Kara's face clouded over at something Karl said and wondered if it was about him, but when she glanced at Danny with a familiar fleeting look, Lee knew something was about to happen that had nothing to do with him. Karl stood up on a stool and called out over the crowd as Kara tried to pull him down while Danny just grinned at Karl's antics.

"Attention, attention, ladies and gentlemen,' said Karl as Lee heard Sharon groan beside him whispering Kara is going to kill him. "I'm not sure if many of you recall this, but a couple months ago in this very establishment, Kara Thrace lost a bet in a very high stakes poker game. Her punishment was conditional, however. Does anyone recall the terms of the agreement?"

"I believe it was that if she finished in the women's top ten, she had to finally own up on a dare," called out Ryan, Danny's best friend. Lee caught the lethal glare she shot Ryan and smiled. This had such potential.

"See, Starbuck," said Karl as he looked down at her, in what were possibly his last words. "This is technically your fault. All you had to do was finish 11th and you'd have gotten off scot-free… Unfortunately for you, but great for us, you achieved your goal. So, we took a poll and the overwhelming consensus was that you had to kiss none other than former Ithaca Bay High School's Prom King and supposed reigning kissing champion."

As cheers and catcalls erupted, Lee watched Kara as Karl announced the verdict and found the Triad Face firmly in place. She definitely wasn't about to let anyone know what she was thinking, but Danny seemed to be a little surprised.

Kara stood up on the chair next to Karl as the crowd died down, flashing them a dangerous smirk. The effect she had on the patrons was not lost on Lee, knowing she could silence a room with just a look.

"I seem to be suffering a lapse of memory, because I do not recall having made this bet. Even if I did, I'm pretty sure there's a much better dare you fine people can come up with other than getting me to kiss Goldilocks."

Ah that did it. She was going to have to kiss Danny. Suddenly, Lee felt his stomach bottom out a little, even though he shouldn't even care. It wasn't like Kara to back out on a bet, regardless of what it was. That meant there was something to this kiss. To them.

"Aw come on! You afraid?" asked Karl from her side and Lee caught the withering look she shot him but couldn't hear the disparaging words she was no doubt unleashing. Danny stood up on the chair next to Kara and raked his fingers through his hair.

"I'm game if you are," said Danny with a small grin that looked more like a cover than anything. Lee was puzzled. It was just a kiss, right?

"What, do you need to keep up your reputation?" shot back Kara in full form.

"Something like that," replied Danny. "Okay, what are the terms, oh mighty taskmaster?"

Karl looked at the two of them for a brief second and listed off the short list of requirements. Lee could see fleeting looks of anxiety on both their features and wondered why this was such a big deal.

"Ten seconds, make sure you keep your hands outside the clothes — we all know Kara's got roaming hands, Ow!" said Karl as Kara swiped him on the arm. "And if you pull apart prematurely you have to start over."

"Lords, I feel like I'm in high school," Kara groaned as she turned on the chair to face Danny. "Okay, you sure you can handle this?"

"I think the real question is if you can handle this," he said with a challenging smirk as he looked out over the chuckling crowd, catching Lee's eye.

Clearly fed up, Kara suddenly grabbed Danny by the collar and pulled him towards her, crushing her lips against his. As Karl began the countdown, Lee watched the evolution of the kiss with the rest of the onlookers. There was something about it that struck Lee as odd. At first it was all show, just a regular kiss. But about half-way through, Danny cupped Kara's cheek and angled his head in a way that ensured for all who were watching that at least one of them was using their tongue. Lee watched Kara's hand tighten on Danny's collar as her other hand ran up his back, pulling them closer.

"Three Cap-ri-ca," Karl shouted while others continued to cheer. "Two Cap-ri-ca…"

As they kissed a second too long and pulled apart looking dazed and a little shaky on those chairs, Lee knew that he'd just watched something monumental happen, at least in the life of Kara Thrace. But as she stood there, looking at Danny uncertainly for a moment longer, Lee also realized that whatever it was, she'd run from it too, because he knew that look well. While everyone else cheered, Lee tried to hold back his frown as he watched her throw the crowd a patented wink, commenting on Danny being 'rusty' and hopped down from the chair.

It took Danny a second longer to gather himself, but he seemed to recover as he followed Karl and Kara over to where Lee, Sharon and the others were gathered in the corner. Judging by the tight way Kara was holding her smirk, she didn't seem too pleased by the dare, or with Karl, for that matter.

By this point, Lee had completely forgotten that Kara hadn't been made aware of his return. But as Karl seemed to remember and backed out of the way to reveal Lee, he caught the flash of surprise on her face at his being the last person she'd expect to find. Quickly though, her face fell back into a practiced smirk, one that left him wary.

"Lee Adama," she said lightly, ignoring the painful silence of those watching their reunion. She was right in front of him now, only a foot apart. Looking down, he saw that she held out her hand and was struck that not once in all his ruminations had he imagined this being the welcome.

Quirking his head to the side, he took her hand in his, "Kara Thrace," he said with a small smile, hoping to elicit a reaction from her. "This seems familiar," he said lowly and felt her grip tighten as she tilted his hand and rubbed her thumb across his. Before he could say anything more, someone called her away and detected the barest hint of relief that came over her features.

"See you around, Apollo," she called back over her shoulder, quickly escaping from the crowd gathered in the corner to stand beside Mike at another table.

"Your ass is so dead, Karl," said Chief from beside Lee, reminding him that he was in fact not alone on this planet with just Kara. Apparently their meeting wasn't nearly exciting for those who knew them both, probably recalling the days where one could have been burned by standing too close to Starbuck and Apollo during a row.

"Yeah, but it was so worth it," said Karl as he clapped Danny over the shoulder. "Sorry man, I had to do it. When I polled the crowd after the race, it was almost unanimous in favor of the kiss. Which was crazy, considering the other dare entailed her having to walk around town with only her medal and a bikini for a week."

Danny gave Karl a rueful grin, but Lee could definitely pick up on something else. As conversation continued, Lee sat back and watched his friends as they laughed and celebrated. Apparently, he was the only one who caught the subtle glances that Kara and Danny kept giving each other.

Lee frowned as he drank his beer. As luck would have it, the first new friend he'd made in this town also happened to have a stake on Kara's heart. It's not like Lee cared though. No, he had other things to worry about. Like his wife 'working' for his buddy in New York; or a job that was killing his spirit, day by day.

No, he told himself emphatically, Kara Thrace was the least of his problems.