Complications
Written by Rebecca Stephens
Parts 1 - 4
Athena's shift had just ended. She'd just picked up her food and was
resigning herself to another meal alone when she saw Boomer. He said hello
and invited her to join him, as neither of them had companions. They'd
engaged in polite conversation on trivial topics and then deeper conversation
on more serious topics. Athena enjoyed the conversations almost as much as
the enjoyed the company.
After they had finished dinner, he'd surprised her by asking her if
she'd like to continue the conversation over coffee; she would and they did.
They chatted about friends.
" . . .so we went to the Rising Star. Apollo and I were staying out
of trouble until Star-" Boomer abruptly halted, his expression chagrined.
"It's okay to mention Starbuck in my presence, you know. Despite
what most people think, I am over him," she said, with slight emphasis on
'am'.
"Then why--", Boomer began, only to cut himself off again.
"Why don't I date anyone?" Athena said, completing his thought.
Boomer nodded hesitantly.
"Because I don't have the energy for a relationship. I don't want
the hassle of considering someone else's feeling before every decision I
make. I don't want to have to worry about what my hair looks like or whether
he'll like my dress. I don't want to worry about what he thinks of my job or
whether or not the relationship will last." She sighed and stopped,
embarrassed by how much she had revealed.
"Sorry," she began, "I don't know what got into me. I--"
"It's alright," he cut her off. "I know exactly what you mean."
"Really?" she began speaking hurriedly.
Boomer understood her loneliness because it was the same as his.
"You don't have the energy for a real relationship and a casual relationship
with someone you care nothing about leaves you feeling even lonelier," he
murmured without realizing it.
Athena had no experience in casual relationships but she suspected
Boomer was right. Besides, she was sure such a relationship with someone she
didn't even care about would leave her feeling ashamed. She hadn't been
brought up to believe in flings, and she couldn't help but wonder what her
father would think if he knew the turn her thoughts were taking.
The same idea was occurring to Boomer, "A relationship with a friend
would be ideal," he said in the most offhanded manner he could manage, "If
not for the threat of the friendship being ruined."
"And of course it would have to be very discreet," Athena replied.
"Absolutely no one could know about it."
Boomer could find no problem with this, "And of course, if either
person become interested in someone else, the other will step back."
"Of course."
Athena knew this was ridiculous, but it felt right. She wasn't in
love with him and he wasn't in love with her, but they did care about each
other. This relationship could give them both what they wanted --relief from
loneliness-- without giving them what they didn't want.
Boomer found himself leaning forward, looking into Athena's eyes.
"No strings?" she said.
"For as long as it lasts." Their lips met.
**********************
"Hey Boomer," Starbuck called, "me and Apollo are headin' over to the
Rising Star tonight. Wanna come?"
"Not tonight." Boomer replied.
"See ya later then."
As Starbuck and Apollo walked away Boomer heard Starbuck comment,
"That's the third secton in a row he's skipped out on us."
Boomer was momentarily disturbed to realize he'd been spending time
with Athena instead of with his other friends, but then shrugged it off.
What man wouldn't rather spend his time with a beautiful woman than with a
couple of buddies?
When they'd first begun their arrangement a sectar ago he'd been
unsure about it. He'd wondered if things would work out all right or if they
would end up bitter enemies. As it turned out his fears had been groundless.
Things had been working out beautifully. He realized that he'd have to go
with Apollo and Starbuck next secton-- 'Wait a minute,' he thought 'have to
go with them?' He enjoyed spending time with his friends. Boomer pushed the
thought aside.
Athena had just gotten off shift and was heading towards Boomer's
quarters. As she walked through the corridor she silently breathed a sigh of
relief: no battles with the Cylons this secton.
The battles were always torture for her. Sitting on the bridge,
listening to every word said, knowing the moment pilots died; she didn't
think anything could be more difficult. It was worse for her than for others
in her position; she was viper qualified (and a pretty damned good pilot, if
she said so herself) and couldn't help wondering if her presence could have
helped even one person that died. Oh, she knew she was of more use where she
was. She was needed on the bridge of the Galactica; her quick responses had
more than once helped protect other ships in the fleet. She didn't even want
to be a pilot. But the sensation, the knowledge, that she couldn't do
anything to help the pilots tore at her.
She passed by a couple of mechanics heading in the opposite
direction. A fragment of the conversation reached her ears, "Adama must be
proud of that son of his, he's the best warrior in the fleet."
They moved past her and she heard no more of the conversation. The
mechanic's words lowered her spirit a little. She knew what they said about
Adama was true; he was very proud of Apollo. She was proud of Apollo. That
wasn't to say her father wasn't proud of her as well, for she knew he was.
But more than that, she knew that he respected Apollo. Adama knew how
difficult what he did was and so respected him for his bravery.
She knew that most civilians discounted her job as unimportant,
something any idiot could do. Even most warriors didn't fully understand its
difficulty. She knew her father loved her and was proud of her for all that
she had accomplished. But she sometimes wondered if he afforded her the
respect that he so readily gave her brother.
Apollo certainly deserved respect, and not just professionally. He
worked hard at being a good parent to Boxey. And he was, that boy revered
him. Boxey was definitely a priority in Apollo's life. True, he'd been
taking a few too many risks after Serina died, but that had changed. 'I
wonder how much Sheba had to do with that?' she thought with a smile as she
continued down the corridor.
Which brought her back to her own personal life. Things were working
out beautifully between her and Boomer. She didn't feel nearly so alone now.
They met two or three times each week. She found herself eagerly looking
forward to those times. They would talk and laugh and make love. She
sometimes wished they could meet more often, but knew they couldn't. People
might catch on. She especially didn't want her family to know. Her parents
hadn't raised her to enter into casual affairs. She couldn't help but think
what her father would think. He wouldn't verbalize his opinion unless asked,
but she knew he wouldn't approve.
She came to Boomer's door, glanced both ways, then keyed in the
access code. He looked up as she came in, "Hello there." he said as the door
closed behind her.
"Hello," she pulled his head down for a light kiss. "How was your
day?"
"Pretty good," he said as he fixed her a drink.
After drinks they had dinner. It was a simple dinner of poultry in a
delicious sauce and a salad.
After dinner they made love and then lay there in Boomer's bed, each
lost in their own thoughts.
Athena listened to the steady breathing of the man beside her and
though of how wonderful it was not to be alone. How wonderful it was to be
with Boomer. She honestly didn't think she would feel this way if it were
someone else, someone she didn't care about or respect. She snuggled a bit
closer to him.
Boomer was lost in reverie himself. He savored the feel of the woman
beside him. It was good not to be alone. It was good to be with someone.
He felt her snuggle a little closer to him. It was good to be with "Athena."
"Hmm?"
"Stay the night."
Boomer couldn't believe he'd just said that. Someone was bound to
notice that Athena was missing, and he knew she wanted the relationship a
secret. 'Hey,' he reminded himself, 'you don't exactly want the whole
Galactica to know either.' Besides that there was always the possibility
that certain people -namely Apollo, Starbuck, Sheba, and Cassiopia-- might
come in without an invitation again. And Athena and Apollo finding each
other in his quarters was not something he wanted to see. But that wasn't
likely to happen and he did want her to stay.
Athena was shocked! What!? Stay the night? Was he out of his mind?
It was a really bad idea. Someone was bound to notice that she wasn't in
her bunk. Yet somehow she found herself agreeing. "I'd love to." she said
softly.
Then they both slept.
**************
Athena was relaxed. Adama, Apollo, Boxey, and she were having their
usual once-a-secton dinner. Her father had talked of recent events and how
food production was up. Apollo spoke of recent surveying missions and what
he and the other warriors had found on previously unexplored worlds. Boxey
had been chattering on with his grandfather, talking about everything that
had happened over the last secton. Most of it was trivial stuff about Muffit
and school, but then Boxey said something truly intriguing.
"Sheba had dinner with Dad and me last night," Boxey said as he
shoveled food into his mouth. "She told us about all her adventures on the
Pegasus."
Athena glanced at her brother, who was turning rather pink, and tried
not to laugh. Oh, she and half the Galactica knew about them, but Apollo
preferred not to mention it. He'd claimed they still weren't sure where the
relationship was heading. That he'd invited her to dinner with Boxey spoke
volumes.
Apollo looked so uncomfortable that after a few microns Athena
decided to take pity on him and change the subject. "Did you say you taught
Muffit a new trick?"
Boxey took the change in subject in stride. "Yeah, now he'll stay
when I tell him to," the boy said with pride.
"Now that is an accomplishment," Apollo said sincerely.
Dinner was somewhat uneventful after that. After Boxey had a mushie
for dessert Apollo and he left. Athena stood up, "I have to be going, too."
She hugged her father goodbye and left.
As Athena prepared for bed she thought of Boomer. Their arrangement
had been going on for two sectars now and it had affected her greatly. She
rarely felt alone these days. She and Boomer had become good friends. She
was meeting him tomorrow evening, after her dinner with Cassie.
As she climbed into bed Athena thought of the changes in her
relationship with Cassie. They'd actually become good friends. In fact, she
acknowledged, Cassie was probably her best female friend.
Cassie was having a wonderful time. She and Athena had come over to
the Rising Star earlier and were now enjoying a fabulous meal. She was about
to comment on the ambrosa when she noticed Athena glance in the opposite
direction then quickly turn back to her. She followed her friend's line of
sight and saw Lieutenant Boomer. "Why don't you ask him out?"
"Nah, don't think so." Athena replied.
Cassie let the matter drop. She knew Athena hadn't dated much since
her break-up with Starbuck. Cassie knew she wasn't still pining over him,
but thought she might be afraid of being hurt again.
"So," Cassie said, "how does Boxey feel about Apollo and Sheba?"
"He's fine with it," Athena answered as the server came towards the
table. "The fact of the matter is, he thinks Sheba is great. He even taught
Muffit a new trick in honor of her coming to dinner," she continued after
they'd declined dessert and asked for the check.
"Oh no," replied Cassiopia laughingly, "what did Boxey teach him to
sniff out this time?"
"Nothing of the sort," Athena said in mock seriousness, "Boxey claims
to have taught Muffit to stay."
The blond med-tech thought of some of the earlier troubles Boxey had
gotten into by following that daggit. "I certainly hope it took."
"Me too."
Cassie looked at her chronometer. "I've got to go. I have the late
shift in lifebay." She said, leaving money on the table for the server.
The two women got up and headed towards the shuttlebay. The shuttle
was almost completely empty and the ride back to the Galactica didn't take
long.
As Cassie headed towards lifebay, Athena went to her barracks to
gather a few items. She grabbed a small carryall and filled it with a
hairbrush, a little makeup, shampoo & conditioner, a clean uniform and a
little something special for Boomer.
She looked at her chronometer again after she entered Boomer's
quarters. She had less than half a centar until Boomer arrived. She quickly
removed her uniform and headed for the shower. She got out of the shower and
blow-dried her hair. She glanced at the chronometer again, and then put on
the negligee she'd packed. She'd bought it just before the destruction, but
she'd had few occasions to wear it. She then brushed out her hair until it
shone and applied makeup sparingly.
The brunette looked in the mirror one last time. This should
definitely keep his mind on her. 'What do you mean keep his mind on you?' a
little voice in her head questioned. "I just mean I don't want him thinking
of anyone else tonight", she replied. 'Or any other night,' the voice
countered. "Nonsense," Athena thought, "so I'm a little vain. It doesn't
mean anything." 'Then why are so happy that he isn't flirting with anyone?
Why does it bother you so much that he might be next time you see him, hmm?'
"Oh, shut up", she said, and then realized what she was doing
'Great," she thought, exasperated with herself, 'now I'm talking to
myself.' She looked at the chronometer; Boomer would arrive any centon.
Boomer stepped off the shuttle and into the Galactica's shuttlebay.
When he'd left the Rising Star Starbuck had barely noticed his departure.
The other warrior's newest "system" had been working well.
As he walked out of the shuttlebay he glanced around. The place was
practically deserted. He walked through various corridors and hallways
towards his quarters. He keyed in the code to unlock the door.
The image that greeted him as he stepped in the door almost stopped
him in his tracks. He was bombarded with a variety of emotions: desire,
affection, surprise, and love. Athena. She looked like . . . 'a goddess'
his mind supplied. The copper color of the silken fabric made her skin glow.
His gaze traveled down her body and back up again to meet her eyes.
"You look wonderful." He strode up to Athena and kissed her. The next hour
was not spent in conversation.
Athena lay silently. She felt Boomer's chest against her back and
his arms around her. She noticed the warmth of his skin, the feel of his
heartbeat, and the sound of his breathing. He was asleep.
She turned in his arms to face him. This was only the fourth time
she'd spent the night with him, so she'd rarely been able to watch him sleep.
As she looked at him she felt a tug at her heart once more. Though she
tried to ignore it --to pretend it didn't exist-- this feeling had grown
within her. As she gazed upon the face that had come to mean so much to her
she could no longer deny what her heart knew. She loved him. "I love you,"
she whispered as she settled into his embrace to sleep.
Boomer awoke hours before he was scheduled to. He watched Athena
sleep, watched her brows furrow and then smooth again. He wondered what she
was dreaming of. This brought back in vivid detail the dream he'd had
earlier that night. It was just he in a light grey misty area and the sound
of her voice. He'd had this dream before and always it was the same. He was
there alone, wondering where he was, where everyone was. Then he heard her
voice. She said, "I love you." The he woke up. That was it, there was no
more.
He'd had this dream many times, but no time had it seemed as. . .as.
. .real as it had tonight. 'Give it up,' his mind told him, 'just because
you love her doesn't mean she loves you.' 'You have a good thing here,' his
mind told him, 'Don't spoil it.' With that thought he decided he was doing
entirely too much thinking. He awoke Athena with a kiss and the fun began
again.
**************
Athena sat at her usual place on the bridge. Currently all was
quiet. She glanced at the chrono she had taken to wearing; it wouldn't be
too much longer until her shift was finished. She was exhausted. She'd been
queasy when she woke up this morning. 'Probably because your feelings for
Boomer,' her mind supplied, 'or rather your keeping them from him.' Her
mother had always said that keeping things bottled up made one ill.
The centons passed by and when Athena looked at her chrono she had
only centons before her shift ended. Microns later Omega said "Cylon
firestar just within range!"
"Heading?" Adama asked trepidation rising in his voice.
"Right for us," Omega confirmed.
Adama hesitated for a split second. A firestar wasn't nearly as
big or heavily armed a basestar, but it still meant trouble. The Galactica
could take it, but it wouldn't be easy. If the firestar had backup there was
no way the Galactica could win. On the other hand, if the firestar revealed
the Galactica's heading they were doomed. "Launch vipers."
Red and blue squadrons were launched. Athena listed to both Omega
and the pilots to ascertain the situation. The vipers were slowly wiping out
the raiders. One raider headed straight for the propulsion systems, perhaps
seeking to destroy them but was itself destroyed by Starbuck before it got
the chance. Another separated from the group heading off on a different
course.
"Running away?" Omega asked.
"No," said Adama, "trying to get within communications range with
another ship. Send someone after it. We can't let the Cylons know where we
are."
"Pursue retreating raider," Athena told the pilots.
Boomer, being the only pilot not engaged in battle, took off after
the fleeing raider.
Athena knew which pilot pursued the raider, but refused to allow
herself to be distracted by it. She was aware of everything happening. Her
replacement was on the bridge, but she couldn't hand controls over to him
until the battle was over.
"Raider and Lt. Boomer leaving range, sir," reported Omega.
Within a centon after his report, the vipers had destroyed all the
raiders and the Galactica had destroyed the firestar.
"All impaired vipers land," Athena instructed.
"Is Lt. Boomer still out of range?" Adama asked.
"Yes sir," Omega answered with a worried look on his face.
"Send two of the remaining vipers to look for him."
"Two vipers are needed to follow Lt. Boomer's trail," Athena said.
Starbuck and Apollo immediately volunteered, of course. Boomer was
their buddy, and besides, they weren't the types to miss out on the action.
Boomer followed the raider, frantically searching his mind for a way
to destroy it as soon as humanly possible. If the raider got within range of
another Cylon ship the fleet was done for. The problem was that he didn't
know how far away any other ship was.
As Boomer shifted to get a better angle on the raider it turned
suddenly and fired. The pilot hit his head --hard. Even his helmet wasn't
enough to keep him from becoming momentarily disoriented. He quickly shook
off the feeling and checked the viper's control panels. The shot hit him
hard, but the viper was still operational. He was disabled and couldn't keep
up with the raider; the raider would most likely take off towards the other
ship now. But no, it wasn't leaving. Part of its basic programming was to
destroy humans and it wouldn't forfeit the chance to exterminate even one.
As the raider came back towards him Boomer saw his chance. 'Okay
buddy, this is your only shot,' his mind warned him. He targeted the raider
and fired. . .then watched as the craft exploded.
Boomer felt groggy. He checked his control panel once more. That
last move had cost him. The viper was damaged and his oxygen was dangerously
low. It would only last him a half a centon or so. Then another gauge
caught his eye. Fuel was leaking into the capacitator. In a matter of
centons ship would blow up. With that thought darkness closed in on the
pilot.
**************