Authors Note

Ok, here's my next story. It's called "So Say We All"

Updates will be quite fluent hopefully.

Spoilers for season 3

Set after season 3. My take on season 4. I started this before seaosn 4 was aired so any similarities are purely coincidental!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters what-so-ever, so please don't sue. If you're still keen on suing me, then do it over the story that you think is the best. Leave me a little bit of ego as I go to prison.

Corridor

Battlestar Galactica

"Remind me again why I'm coming with you?" Colonel Tigh asked, walking side by side with the Admiral.

"Because the fight is over," Admiral Adama replied, his gaze fixed steadily on the corridor in front, "and I'll need your help identifying Kara, if it's really her."

Tigh opened and closed his mouth. After his revelation, he was not sure how to act around his friend anymore. Kara was not a cylon, he knew that much, but telling the Admiral that would raise questions, such as why his sudden change of attitude towards the unruly pilot. A few days ago, he would have jumped at the chance of putting Starbuck in the brig, and he shouldn't act any different now, or else they might suspect him. Tigh did not want Adama figuring out on his own. He would tell him, in his own time. Not doing so would be cowardice and, cylon or not, Saul Tigh was no coward.

"If you want my opinion, that frakking thing is not Starbuck. Come on Bill, her ship exploded, witnessed by Apollo-"

"Which is why," Adama interrupted curtly, "she could still be alive. After the trial, I don't give anything Lee says much credit." His tone held finality, and Tigh immediately shut his mouth, striding towards the docking bay with the Admiral.

As they moved swiftly through the corridors, they were met with many of the crew. Most saluted and carried on their duties, but some craned their necks, or followed discreetly at a distance, awaiting Adama's verdict on what was going on.

Docking Bay 1#

Battlestar Galactica

The docking bay was (for lack of a better word) a mess. The Galactica took quite a few hits during the last battle with the Cylons, and most of the damage seemed to be contained to the docking bays. Fortunately, no fleet ships were docked at the time, and the Colonial One seemed to have set off before the attacks.

"Admiral on deck!" Someone shouted from the far end of the bay. Everyone seemed to stop, and in perfect unison, all saluted. Adama walked forwards purposely, throwing a casual "at ease" in recognition of the crew. His eyes, however, rested on one of the vipers that had landed haphazardly in a heap towards the starboard side of the bay. Pilots were slowly extricating themselves from their vipers, some groaning in pain of being crushed in between two ships, and others walking haphazardly towards the nearest head, hands over mouths.

Attention was drawn to the last remaining two pilots in their vipers. The vipers were tangled together, much like in their first encounter with Cylons near Ragnar Anchorage.

His musings were interrupted by the opening of the first viper. In the far left ship, a pilot emerged suddenly. The Deck hands surrounding the viper quickly pulled a ladder up to the seat, and the pilot stumbled down them, onto their knees. With slow precision, they removed their helmet, and Adama felt his heartbeat quicken.

Lee Adama got up off of his knees, his balance off. Stumbling slightly, he pushed his way past many of the confused crew members, and leant against the other Viper for support. At that moment, the second viper opened.

Everyone stood with baited breath, their gazes' intent on the pilot who was emerging from the landed bird. The pilot slowly exited down a hastily set-up ladder, and stood safely on the hangar deck. Lee's head shot up to watch as they took of their helmet.

Kara Thrace slowly lowered her helmet to the ground and looked around at everyone in the bay. Her attention was suddenly drawn to Lee, before she smiled mischievously and said;

"Wow Lee, you never told me there'd be a party."

The words seemed to ring in the air, and caused everyone to come to life. Many members of the deck gang cheered, patting each other on the back, while others just continued to stare from Lee to Kara, confused.

Lee's face lit up, and he ran towards Kara. He proceeded to pick her up and spin her around, before tightening his arms around her and pulling her into a tight hug. They seemed content to just stay like that forever.

"You didn't lose me this time." Starbuck's voice came, muffled in Lee's shoulder.

Gods it's been too long, Lee smiled into Kara's hair. Guns clicked in the distance and Lee was brought out of his thoughts. As he turned around slowly, Kara still in his embrace, he noticed that there were many guards surrounding them. Lee's smile vanished as quickly as it appeared. They can't possibly think that-

"Admiral," Starbuck said, saluting smartly. She seemed to be the only one, however. Adama regarded her coldly, and Tigh beside him kept his hand out, indicating to the marines not to drop their guns, which were trained on both Lee and Kara.

"Kara," Lee suddenly spoke up from behind her, "Where have you been? It's been ages! I saw … I saw your ship explode for fraks sake!"

"What?" Kara asked, confused, "I've been gone for like six hours! And my ship didn't explode. I told you Lee, I've been to earth."

Tears stung Lee's eyes, but he held them back. Standing in front of him was Kara. His Kara. The unruly woman, violent and sarcastic. The best damn viper pilot ever. Kara Thrace had returned. That thought alone made Lee want to pull her into another hug, but he couldn't, not yet. Not when there were answers to be had.

"Months you've been gone Kara. In that time, you're telling me that you've been to earth?"

"No way have I been gone that long Lee. And yes I've been to earth. I can take us there. At this moment, we need to head back towards the other side of the Ionian Nebula and-"

"Kara?"

Kara closed her eyes, taking in the voice that sounded from behind her. Lee slowly moved backwards, his eyes never leaving the woman in front of him. Kara slowly turned around, and was greeted by Sam Anders. He stood only a few feet away, but the distance was enough to let Kara know that he was cautious. He couldn't believe it. Kara stood only a short distance away, in person. He had lost part of himself when he heard of her death. Many emotions rose up within him.

"Sam?" Her voice was quiet, but Lee could hear traces of surprise. Perhaps she thought that he would want nothing to do with her. That he'd moved on in life, he thought.

Sam quickly limped forwards, his grimace at the exertion on his bad leg second to the ever-growing smile on his face. He pulled her into his arms, and placed his face in her hair, breathing in her scent. He never wanted to forget that scent, never wanted to let her out of his arms again. His muffled laughs of joy could be heard, and Kara relaxed into his embrace, smiling slightly.

Guns rose to meet her new position, and Starbuck was brought out of her welcoming by the sound of safety triggers clicking off. As if on cue, Admiral Adama moved forward. Kara reluctantly pulled out of Sam's embrace, and stepped forward to meet the Admiral and Colonel.

Casting a brief glance at Anders, Tigh nodded imperceptibly and looked back towards the scene before him. Kara now looked slightly wary, as she saw the amount of marines surrounding her.

"Are you Kara Thrace?" Adama asked calmly, staring intently at her through his glasses. Kara's eyes widened slightly, and she smiled.

"Yes I am," She confirmed, standing slightly straighter.

From beside the Admiral, Tigh snorted derisively. Both Adama and Kara turned towards him questioningly, but he didn't pay attention. He indicated for the marines to move forwards, before turning to Adama and saying;

"This thing is not Kara Thrace. It's a cylon-"

"I am not a frakking-"

"-that's impersonating her to get detailed information from the fleet!"

Kara stared fixedly at Tigh, looking disgusted, before replying calmly;

"So kill me then Colonel. Go on, you did it to your wife."

Tigh suddenly stopped talking and he stood stock still, his face not betraying any emotion.

"How did you know about that?"

Kara smiled in triumph, her eyes glittering dangerously.

"What's wrong Colonel?" She whispered, so only those surrounding her could hear, "you look like you've seen a ghost."

"Silence!" commanded Adama from beside Tigh. He was looking at the man beside him, concern etched on his face. With one quick cursory glance at Kara, he continued;

"Colonel Tigh, you have the ball."

Tigh's shoulders slumped in relief, knowing that he had his tracks covered. He turned towards the marine nearest to him and pointed at Kara, his expression serious.

"Take that thing to the brig, Marine."

The sound of guns clicking and men moving forward were lost in the sea of protests. Anders and Lee both shouted in frustration, grappling the marines as they came forward. The marines quickly overpowered them, and held them back forcefully as they grabbed Starbuck.

"Wait!" Lee shouted, panicked, desperately trying to release himself from the marines grip, "She's not a cylon, Dad! She's telling the truth!"

"She's not a frakking cylon!" Anders roared, panting in exertion as he was pushed onto the floor, "She's Kara! Don't do this Admiral!"

Adama looked towards the struggling men, and then back at Kara, who was being slowly dragged away, her limbs flailing in retaliation. He drew a long breath and his eyes hardened underneath his glasses. He turned, grim faced, to the marine holding Lee.

"Take him to the brig aswell, marine. He is under arrest for commandeering a military vessel when not on flight status. That's an order."

He abruptly turned around, him and Tigh trailing Kara out of the hangar bay doors. Kara was not giving up though. She pushed at one of the marines faces, and ripped another one's jacket, before screaming;

"I know where earth is you sons of bitches!"

She kicked out, and caught a marine in the knee. His leg buckled, sending all of them, including Starbuck to the floor. As they moved to get up, she writhed against the floor, screaming;

"I know where earth is! You're going the wrong way!" With that, she was carried out of the door, followed by a resigned Lee Adama, and leaving Sam Anders, disbelief etched on his face, in their wake.