Epilogue

Some Morning After

"Kara!"

She ran faster, threw a look over her shoulder, stumbled and picked herself back up.

"Kara, bring those back!"

She was laughing too hard to run at the same time. No air; she was winded. He caught up to her, grabbing her by the arm and spinning her about.

She threw back her head and laughed at the sight of him. All damp and pants-less and irritated as hell.

Lee snatched his pants from her weakened grasp and marched back to the creek's edge with as much dignity as a man can when he's wearing nothing but his underwear under a clear, sunny sky.

Kara crossed her arms and watched as he stepped into the pants and leaned down to pick up his shirt off the ground.

He looked up and met her smirk with a narrowed gaze, "What if someone had come along, Kara? Can't a man take a bath in peace without some smartass troublemaker coming along and stealing his pants?"

Kara made a sound somewhere between a snort and a giggle, "Apparently not."

He huffed and pulled his shirt over his head with sharp, habitual movements. He glanced at her sideways while he pulled at the collar, "How did you find me anyway?"

Kara shrugged, "The usual way- I went looking."

He rolled his eyes but she could see the beginnings of a smile and a sense of humor. She was wearing him down. She always did.

She placed her hands on her hips and looked around. There was a smattering of trees along the creek's banks, she was standing a few yards away in waist high grass. The whole scene was one of vibrant greens and browns and yellows.

"Do a lot of people bathe out here?"

He shook his head, walking towards her, ruffling his still dampened hair, "Not that I know of. Just me. Maybe a few others. I hardly ever run across any of them, though."

He stood beside her facing the opposite direction and squinted into the horizon- the settlement was about a twenty minute walk away, "There's a bigger stream to the north."

"It's nice here," she decided, walking past him towards the creek. He turned and followed close behind.

"I think so," his voice came clear in the crisp air, nothing but the sounds of the gentle breeze and murmuring creek to rival it.

On an impulse, she dropped to the ground and completely stretched out on her back.

She could see patches of the azure sky between the tree tops' leafy web. She turned her head a little to watch Lee lowering himself to sit beside her. He faced in the opposite direction as she, his eyes on her face were the exact same shade as the sky. He rested an arm over his bent knee.

"We should build a cabin," she blurted. She hadn't really thought about it, but as soon as the thought occurred to her, she knew it was what she wanted.

It was Lee's turn to snort, "Should we start before or after breakfast?"

Kara turned fully towards him, "I'm serious Lee. And I think we should make a room for your dad, too."

She had his full attention now. She saw the hope in his eyes, but she saw the questions, too. The doubt. He was still waiting for something bad to happen. For her to change her mind, to leave, to marry someone else, to die, to disappear. History had taught him to mind his heart when it came to Kara Thrace.

She would just have to prove it to him. To herself. She had nothing but time.

"It's the perfect spot-"

"Kara, I haven't seen or heard from my dad since he said good-bye to us that day," he returned quietly. He was trying to change the subject.

She nodded briskly, "That's why we're going to go find him. Together."

He shook his head a little ruefully, "It's dangerous wandering around out there, Kara. Trust me, I learned the hard way."

She reached over, pointing to his lower leg, to the scar she'd seen in passing, "Is that how you got this?"

Lee nodded, "Yeah."

She pushed up his pants leg now, examining the scar, fingering the shallow groove, "What the frak, Lee? This looks horrible."

He smiled, watching her fingers on his skin, "I guess that just blew my reputation as a mountain man out of the water."

She looked up at him and teased, "Yeah, and you had built such a solid case for it, too."

They stared at each other for a beat to long, Kara felt the familiar ache.

She reached up and grabbed the front of his t-shirt and pulled him down to her. He came easily, arms outstretched on either side of her. She raised her mouth to his, kissed him lazily.

He responded warmly, playing her mouth with his in long slow slides. She realized she could get used to this-all of this-so easily.

She pulled away, licking her lips, "So, what do you say?"

Lee stared at her mouth, spoke absently, "About the cabin? Or my father?"

"Both."

"Yes."

She scowled, "Yes to the cabin or yes to going out to look for the Old Man?"

"Both," he returned with a little grin, trying to kiss her again.

Kara rolled her eyes at him, grabbed his arms and hooked his leg with her own. She rolled them so that she was bent over him instead. The motion caused her dog tags to swing forward onto his chest between them. He grew quiet beneath her and she could sense the shift in his mood.

"Are you going to tell me about those?"

"About what?" Kara didn't know why she said it. Maybe she just wasn't ready yet.

"Those dog tags you're wearing, Kara. They have my name on them," at her questioning look he continued, "I saw them on the first night of your return-while your were asleep."

She looked down, held herself up on one arm and fingered the tags. Then she slipped them back under her shirt.

He watched her in silence for several moments, then quietly, "I know those aren't mine, Kara. Despite how they read. Mine are still in my rucksack. I checked that morning."

Kara bit her lip. She sighed and stopped holding herself up by her arms; lowering to lay a little atop him, a little beside him. She laid her head on his shoulder.

"Are you ever going to tell me what happened to you? Where you've been?" She could feel the words in her chest as he spoke.

She shrugged a little, "Someday, I will. Maybe even soon. But not today, Lee."

He leaned forward and tilted his head so he could see her face, nodding slowly, "Okay."

She smiled gratefully at him and closed her eyes. A long quiet moment stretched between them, the wind in the trees and the water flowing over smooth rocks lulled her back towards sleep.

"Kara?"

She opened her eyes again, found him watching her with a troubled expression.

"How long do you think you'll be staying…with me?"

It was unclear whether he meant the tent or Earth or something more, but the words and his tone somehow reminded her of the conversation she'd had on the observation deck with another him in another time.

She answered him the same as she had then, "For as long as you'll have me, I guess." The silence stretched between them while she waited. At length, he spoke again.

"That's going to be a very long time then, Kara." His tone was light, almost teasing, but his eyes were solemn. It was both warning and promise.

The resemblance of his words to those in a memory only she had lived through took her breath for a moment. She raised up on an elbow, looking for some sign of recognition, of knowing, on his face. There was none.

It was simply something Lee would say.

At length, she laid back down, laid her head on his arm.

Hundreds of Mornings later…

Kara strolled up the now clear path, headed for the little rustic cottage up ahead. It was still hot today, though the amber sun was disappearing into the horizon, and the shadows grew long.

She hitched up the gear she carried on her back, trying to ease her aching shoulders. It had been a tough practice. The usual sounds of nature floated to her ears, she could just make out the sound of rushing water in the stream off to her left.

Kara turned towards a sound of movement in the shrubbery just off the path. She always had her sidearm if she needed it, wildlife around here was not always of the friendlier sort. A particularly large bird-a crane of some sort- stepped out and crossed the path in front of her. She relaxed her stance and moved her right hand back to grip her rucksack, smirking. Crisis averted.

She kicked a few stray stones that edged the walkway back into place as she neared the house and pushed open the door.

It was cooler inside, the familiar smells of home washing over her. The tang of wood coupled with the aroma of herbs and spices. Clean soap and meals cooked. Love and family.

She shut the door behind her and dropped her bag onto the floor with a thump.

Her eyes sought them out immediately. He was stretched out on the floor on his side, with their baby boy sitting in front. They were both engrossed in something lying on the floor between them.

She walked around the little kitchen area and stood, surveying them both. The two things in her life she knew she'd done right.

Lee looked up, smiling for her, "Hey. You're back early." He turned back to the baby, "Look who's home early, champ."

Kara sat down gratefully, carefully easing her tired muscles into a similar position as Lee's. She lay across from him with the baby in the little space between.

She picked up her baby's pudgy fingered hand, kissed the tiny knuckles, "Hey, buddy."

"How did it go?"

She glanced over at him, "Sam's team doesn't stand a chance."

The side of his mouth curled up, "I don't doubt it."

She shrugged a little, smoothing the downy wisps of their son's sandy brown hair, "So many people came out to watch the last game, Helo's thinking about asking people to pay a small fee for the upcoming re-match."

Lee chuckled, "Is Helo acting as team manager now?"

Kara's grin was tired, "Only if we go pro."

"You'd dominate the league," Lee teased.

Kara's smile took on a smirking quality, "There's already three teams. A fourth is forming. Laugh it up, pretty boy, but one of these days I might be bringing home the bacon with this gig."

Lee's eyes took on a fake dreamy quality, "Oh, could you, Kara? I really miss bacon. Or maybe a nice ham-"

Kara grabbed a nearby baby toy and hit Lee square in the chest with it. He brushed at the spot where it had hit him and ignored her.

Kara glanced down at what she now saw was a lump of chalk-colored clay. The baby's eyes slapped the rug and followed Lee's movements as he resumed forming it.

"I took a shower on the Zephyr," Kara drew feather light circles on the baby's back, "You should have seen the line. I can't wait until we all have working showers of our own."

Lee was concentrating on the clay pretty hard now, he glanced up to her face for a second, spoke absently, "At least we have the tree shower out by the stream now."

Kara spoke dryly, brows lowered, "Yes, Lee. I've told you several times that was genius."

He smiled good-naturedly while continuing to form the clay in his hands. She stared at the shape the clay was forming.

"What exactly is it that you're trying to make?"

"A deer," Lee answered a trifle defensively.

Kara snorted and reached out a hand, "Here, let me do it."

"I've got it."

"You're not doing it right-"

"Kara, I've got it."

Lee proudly placed the lump of clay down on the rug. The chubby little baby boy in the center of them let out a pleased chortle.

"That's supposed to be a deer?" she glanced up through her lashes at him, "Looks like a rabbit to me."

Their son slapped a pudgy little palm down next to the clay figure, "Bun. Nee."

Kara snorted again.

Lee frowned, "He heard you."

"I said rabbit, Lee. Not bunny."

"I think he's smart enough to figure it out, Kara."

"You mean, unlike his dad- who can't tell the difference between a deer and a rabbit?"

Lee pulled a face, "Funny."

She thought so. Then her stomach growled, distracting her, "Did you guys eat?"

Lee nodded.

She sighed and pushed herself up off the floor with a bit of a groan. Her muscles ached, the days were long here on Earth.

He looked up at her, "Where are you going?"

She sighed, "To make something to eat."

He stopped her with a hand on her wrist, "Stay here, relax. I'll make you something in a little bit, after he's asleep."

"It's so cute that you think he'll obey the rules of bed time like the rest of us," she teased, but she settled back down next to him anyway. Too tired to move.

The baby was busy smashing the clay into a shapeless lump now, effectively making their argument null and void. He pulled off a little piece and made to put it in his drooling baby mouth.

Kara reached out and snatched it from him. She leaned over and picked him up with a little grunt, tossing him in the air a little and making silly sounds before he could think to cry about his loss. She loved how tiny and solid and soft he was.

"Uh-oh," she muttered suddenly, setting him down on his pudgy little feet.

Lee was busy picking out pieces of smashed clay bits in the rug, "What is it?"

"There's something on dradis," she pulled the baby forward to check his diaper, such as it was.

She nodded, making a face, "Multiple contacts." She could see Lee out of the corner of her eye, lips pressed tight, trying very hard not to laugh. He must still be peeved about the Rabbit Deer.

She blew a strand of blond out of her eyes, "Come on, Joe. Time to launch an attack." She stood, holding the baby, "Wish Baltar would take the time to invent some decent diapers out of soy beans or something while he's at it."

Lee stood too, reaching for the little boy who was gurgling obliviously, "I'll get him."

Kara tilted her head, "Lee. Just because I bit your head off last week does not mean I expect you to change every single diaper from here on out."

"Hey, I know who the boss is," he leaned over and kissed her quickly-warm and smooth, familiar. He pulled back only a little and held there.

She gave him a self-satisfied smile, "Damn straight."

Lee relieved her of her little burden, "C'mere, Ace." He grunted, "Heavy little bundle, isn't he?"

"You were a fat baby," she scooped up the blankets and clay, some homemade baby toys, as she spoke, "I've seen the pictures. You're dad takes them out at least once a month."

"Why must you always bring that up?" Lee threw over his shoulder, annoyed, as he carried baby Joseph to the other room.

"To get your reaction," she called after him, walking into the kitchen portion of the large room.

She stood hands on hips, considering the mess left over from the boys' supper. No wonder Lee hadn't wanted her to come in here.

"More work," she muttered. She'd finished none of it when Lee came back in, sans baby.

"Where's Joe?"

"Asleep," Lee leaned against the counter for a moment and watched her. "Sorry about the mess. Want me to make you a sandwich? You eat, I clean up."

Kara looked up from the bread she was slicing, "Already on it." She narrowed her eyes when she saw his suddenly tired expression, "What's wrong, Lee?"

He sighed, scrubbing his face with his hands, "Nothing. I just-every time I pass by his empty room…"

Kara finished her task and swiped at the strands of blond across her forehead, leaning up against the counter next to him and crossing her arms.

"It's been three weeks, Kara."

"It was four and a half weeks time before last, Lee," Kara assured him. It was always hard for him to accept it when his father insisted on trekking to Laura Roslin's resting place ever so often and disappearing for weeks on end.

"He's all alone out there," Lee continued as if she hadn't spoken, rubbing his mouth, "It's not like he's getting any younger…"

"Lee, he doesn't care about the frakking risks, he lost the love of his life," she leaned her shoulder into his, "He needs this. And besides, it's not like we can stop him. He's a grown man."

Lee turned a little towards her, fingering the chain she still wore around her neck, following its length to the tags that fell from it.

"I guess we all grieve in different ways," he whispered. She stood very still, the action surprising her. He rarely ever spoke of what had happened to her when he had been living on New Earth without her. Kara sometimes wondered if she'd just imagined telling him everything, until moments like these when he would startle her with it.

His fingers feathered across her collarbone between the chain thoughtfully. He seemed to give himself a mental shake after a while, then looked up into her eyes and kissed her fiercely. He pulled away before she could respond and abruptly reached around her to grab the plate with the sandwich on it, "Here, eat your food. I'll get this." He gestured around to the dirty dishes.

Kara bit her lip, taking a moment to recover. She glanced at the plate in question, took it from him.

"Don't mind if I do," She turned and sat down at the table. She watched him clean up while she sat chewing contentedly.

Lee cleared his throat, picking up a small bowl of half-eaten potatoes, "We've been eating a lot of potatoes lately, haven't we? Though it still beats the year of the summer squash."

Kara murmured in complete agreement, sinking her teeth into another bite.

"Summer squash pancakes, remember those?" He scrubbed at a dirty pan, back to her.

She lifted a brow, "Those were your idea, Lee."

"Yeah, well. The mashed green bean surprise was yours," he threw back over his shoulder.

Okay, so that was true. "Frak me, that was awful."

He turned again, eyes narrowed on her, "You know I hate when you do that, Kara."

She smirked, rising with her empty plate, "Do what?"

"Agree with me. It makes me nervous."

Her lips pulled all the way into a mischievous grin, "That's the only reason I ever do it."

He turned back to the dirty dishes, shaking his head.

She walked over and made to hand her plate for him to wash, but it slipped from her grasp and fell into the greasy dishwater with a splash instead.

He looked down at himself. Splatters of dirty dishwater covered the front of his shirt.

Kara tried not to snicker.

He looked back up at her steadily, "I don't have a lot of clothes, Kara."

"Guess you'll have to go around shirtless then, won't you?" She raised her brows suggestively, her mouth falling open on a silent laugh. She backed away to grab another dirty dish on the counter.

He was suppressing a smile, she could tell. Flirting always put him in a good mood. She could win every argument that way when she wanted to.

He pulled the sodden fabric away from his chest with two fingers and stared at her accusingly, still trying not to smile. She decided she wanted to now.

"Want me to help you with that, Apollo?" she walked up to him and grabbed him by the shirt front, walking backwards until she felt the table behind her. She released him and placed her palms on either side of her to hop up onto it, but he beat her to it, lifting her up easily and setting her down.

"Is this the part where you have your way with me?" he watched her hands as she carefully undid the buttons of his shirt. She clamped him on either side with her thighs and pulled him even closer. The shirt hit the floor. She took him in. She'd only been half kidding about wanting him to go shirtless all the time.

She tilted her head, playful now. "You always were a quick learner," she said through a grin, running her hands over his warm chest before placing palms on the back of his neck to pull him down to her.

He resisted, gently reaching up to take her hands from his nape with his own. His eyes were on hers.

"Not here," he whispered, leaning into her space to nibble on her ear, his hair feathering her cheekbone. Her eyes fluttered shut and she didn't even notice what he was doing until he'd lifted her in his arms.

She threw an arm over his shoulder and played with the ends of his hair, "Where are we going?"

He carried her into their bedroom and shut the door most of the way. Laying her down on the bed, he spoke calmly, "Somewhere where I can watch you sleep when its over." His dark head lowered and he stole a greedy kiss that was deep and long and heated her blood. He pulled back to look over her face, "Where I can wake up to you there."

"Is that important?" She joked breathlessly, trying to pull his head back to hers, touching his lower lip with the tip of her tongue.

His hands came up and cradled her face ever so carefully. Treasured.

"Kara, sometimes I think that's the best part."

Fin.