You Are Loved

	By Betty & Jen Lmr

	Rating: ?????  
	***NC-17 - Who are we kidding? We just know that they're going to get it 
	on!***
	Fandom: Battlestar Galactica
	Category: Slash
	Pairing: Starbuck/Apollo
	Disclaimer: Not ours... never will be... tra la la la la...
	Feedback: er.br@sympatico.ca (Betty) & jennylmr@yahoo.com

	Summary: Starbuck discovers something about his past that could change 
	his future.

	*****

	Part 1    (Betty)

	The fleet was enjoying one those rare times where each patrol came back 
	with the same good news, no sign of Cylon pursuit. This one had lasted for 
	a full three sectars now, with no sign of it ending. Maybe it would never 
	end, the people all prayed.

	But no battles to fight  meant other jobs could be done, jobs the warriors 
	all hated. Each man was assigned to clean up, mess hall duties, repairing 
	uniforms that had become torn, forms had to be filed, and of course filling 
	out reports long past due. But the most dreaded duty of all was inventory. 
	They all had to take turns at inventory, and each man's, or woman's, 
	inventory had to be double checked.

	Today was Starbuck's turn at inventory, and he was stuck counting 
	Commander Adama's personal supply of paper, pencils and pens. The 
	boxes were old and dusty, most unopened, because there was no need for 
	them. All of the Commander's messages were now done on computer, and 
	printed out by a someone in another part of the ship if needed.

	Starbuck didn't think this old supply closet had even been opened since 
	Adama took command of the Galactica, but he started counting anyway. 
	After all the Commander's quarters were across the hall. Wouldn't look 
	good for him to caught slacking off by the big guy himself.

	Suddenly the door closed and Starbuck looked up from his work to see 
	Cassie standing there, a very wicked grin on her face.

	"Cass what are doing here? Don't you have work to do?" he asked the tall 
	blond med tech.

	"No, I'm off duty now, and since you're just counting unused supplies I 
	thought maybe I would come and keep you company," Cassie purred  as 
	she stepped closer.

	Starbuck rolled his eyes. "Cassie I have work to do, and the Commander is 
	right across the hall, we cannot do what you have in mind."

	"Oh come on, that doesn't sound like the Starbuck I know, you sound like 
	you've been spending to much time with Apollo, all work and no play 
	makes a dull boy."

	Her words made Starbuck angry, he didn't like to hear anyone put Apollo 
	down.

	"Apollo is NOT dull, he's just serious, that's all."

	Placing her hands on her hips, Cassie answered sarcastically, "You keep 
	talking like that and I'm gonna start thinking it's Apollo you're in love 
	with, or is that actually a fact? Starbuck, the great womanizer is in love 
	with his wingman."

	Her last statement started an all out, full blown fight.

	*****

	Just down the corridor from the supply closet that Starbuck and Cassie 
	were arguing in, was the council's turboflush. Boomer and Apollo were 
	given the job of cleaning it. Both men wondered what  crime they had 
	committed that was so bad they had to be punished way. The smell from 
	the room was so bad they had to prop the door open.

	"Apollo, I think Sire Uri sat on this throne at one time, the damn things 
	cracked and leaking water, do we have to fix it or can we call in somebody 
	from maintenance?"

	Before Apollo could answer they both heard Cassie scream the most 
	disgusting, vile, hurtful  insult anyone could ever say to Starbuck.

	*****

	Around the corner Athena and Sheba were trying to roll an old film 
	projector down the hall. They had found it in an old supply closet that 
	hadn't been opened in over a hundred yahren, or so it looked. The shelves 
	in the closet had been lined with round cylinders containing film that had 
	once been used in the projector. The girls wanted to know if the thing still 
	worked, and had decided to take it to Boomer to find out. Boomer had a 
	knack for these old things. Plus Athena was curious about what was on the 
	old films.

	"Wait a centon Athena, I think this old wheel is about to fall off," Sheba 
	giggled.

	Then they heard Cassie scream. Athena's face went red in anger.

	"I don't care what Starbuck did, he doesn't deserve that. I`ll kill that 
	bitch."

	"Wait, Athena, I`ll help you."

	The two girls forgot the projector as they ran towards the area were the 
	scream had come from.

	*****

	Commander Adama stepped out of his quarters and stopped. He could 
	hear the argument coming out of the supply closet, but because the door 
	was closed he could not make out the words. Suddenly the door opened 
	and he saw Cassiopeia push Starbuck out of the room and shove him up 
	against the other wall. Before he had a chance to ask what was going on 
	Cassiopeia suddenly screamed in Starbuck's face.

	"I should never have gotten involved with a stupid, worthless, unwanted 
	orphan who doesn't even deserve to be loved by a daggit much less 
	another person!"

	*****

	Part 2    (Jenny)

	Commander Adama gaped in shock and horror at the enraged med tech. 
	He had never seen this side of her before. He took a moment to give her 
	one of his best glowers before turning to a crushed looking Starbuck. He 
	moved towards him and placed his arm around the Lieutenant's shoulders 
	just as Apollo and Boomer arrived from one direction and Athena and 
	Sheba arrived from another.

	Athena and Sheba both started in on Cassiopeia at the same time, so they 
	all ended up hurling insults at Cassiopeia in raised voices. "I always knew 
	you were capable of sinking pretty low, but this is a new low even for 
	you!" Athena shot out, looking at her like she was some kind of fungus.

	"Some things never change, I always thought you were cold and heartless, 
	now you've just shown everyone just how heartless you really are!" Sheba 
	spat out in a tone of utter disgust.

	Cassiopeia replied with a nasty smirk, "You're both just jealous! Neither 
	one of you even know what to do with a man, much less hold on to one. 
	Now why don't you mind your own business!"

	Apollo and Boomer moved towards their shaken friend's side but Adama 
	stopped them, raising his voice to be heard above all the commotion.

	"Everybody just calm down! You ladies," he said gesturing to Athena and 
	Sheba, "have work to do. Apollo and Boomer, you can get back to work 
	too. And as for you," he motioned towards Cassiopeia with a look of 
	disdain, "Why don't you go find something to do to make yourself useful."

	The group reluctantly dispersed, no one wanting to defy Commander 
	Adama.

	"Come with me, son. I want to have a talk with you," he said gently to 
	Starbuck.

	Starbuck allowed Adama to lead him into his quarters and Adama 
	motioned for him to take a seat.

	"I'm sorry about the disturbance out there. I guess things got a little out of 
	hand," the blond apologized nervously.

	"You have nothing to apologize for," Adama reassured him. "She was 
	completely out of line and I don't want you to go thinking that there's any 
	truth to anything she said."

	Starbuck shook his head sadly. "It's pretty hard not to think that. I am an 
	unwanted orphan, no one was ever interested in adopting me. I've never 
	been good at forming emotional attachments. Sooner or later I screw up 
	every relationship I've ever had. The only thing I seem to be good at is 
	flying a viper and even then I don't always follow orders."

	"Nothing could be further from the truth," Adama insisted. "Why Ila and 
	I..." He broke off and shook his head, "The point is that you are a 
	wonderful person; you've always been a great friend to Apollo. I don't 
	know what he ever would do without you. You always seem to sense his 
	moods and know how to pick him up when he's feeling down. You 
	wouldn't believe how painfully shy he was before you came into our lives. 
	I can't tell you how much our family loved having you in our home, still 
	love having you in our home. I personally feel lucky just knowing you."

	Starbuck perked up a little at his words but he didn't miss Adama's earlier 
	pause and wasn't going to let him off the hook, "You and Ila what?"

	"Excuse me?" Adama asked, feigning ignorance.

	"You started to say something about you and Ila. What was it?"

	"Oh, that," Adama hedged, "you know, just how much we've always cared 
	for you."

	"And?" Starbuck pushed, sensing there was something else the 
	Commander wasn't telling him.

	Adama sighed heavily and thought for a moment, "I suppose its past time I 
	told you something, but since the Destruction it can be so hard thinking 
	about the past sometimes." He got up and headed over to an old chest that 
	was sitting off in a corner, "I suppose it might help if I showed you a few 
	things."

	*****

	Part 3    (Betty)


	Adama removed an envelope from the trunk and returned to the longseat.

	"Starbuck do you remember that first yahren in the Academy, all those 
	trips to our home you made with Apollo every secton end?"

	"Yes, I always looked forward to those times."

	"And we enjoyed having you there, Ila especially adored you, and do you 
	remember her birthday celebration, when the photographer came?"

	Starbuck smiled at the memory. "Yeah, she wouldn't let him take the 
	picture until I was standing in-between Apollo and Athena."

	"If you look over at my shelf, you will see a copy of every family photo 
	that has been taken each yahren, you have been in every one since that 
	day, because we considered you part of our family."

	Starbuck looked over at the photos. One in particular really caught his eye. 
	It was taken on his and Apollo's graduation day, at the party afterwards . 
	Ila had made quite a fuss when Sire Keller pulled him back and away from 
	Adama's family. She started yelling at the old man, saying 'How dare you 
	lay a hand on *my* son' the room had went silent with all eyes watching 
	as Adama gently took Starbuck's arm and led him to his place between 
	Apollo and Athena, it was one of happiest days of his life.

	"Ila and I planned on telling you this one day, but in the confusion of the 
	destruction and our flight from the Cylons I had forgotten to. I'm sorry. I 
	think now would be the perfect time. I've had these papers here ever since 
	the day Ila received them, she cried when she read what they said. You see 
	Starbuck, Ila and I tried to adopt you."

	"You... you tried to adopt me?" Starbuck felt his eyes well up with 
	tears at Adama's words.

	"Yes, Starbuck we did, but we told that because you were 16, you were to 
	old, Ila even went down and argued with the director of the orphanage, but 
	they still wouldn't allow it, but it really didn't matter, you may not have 
	been our son legally, but in our hearts you were. Then we realized it may 
	have been for the better, after all one of our biological children was deeply 
	in love with you..."

	"You mean Athena? I ruined that..."

	"I'm not talking about Athena, that was just a school girls crush."

	Starbuck stared wide eyed at Adama. "Sir, I know what you're thinking, 
	and you're wrong. Apollo just thinks of me as a friend, nothing more."

	"I don't believe that Starbuck. No more than I believe you think of Apollo 
	as only a friend  You're both madly in love with each other and I wish you 
	would both get over your cowardliness about it and tell each other.  Forget 
	that Cassie, she's not good enough for you. As for that Sheba, huh, she's 
	just after Apollo because he's my son. The girl's really in love with Bojay. 
	I could tell that when they first came here from the Pegasus, but he's not 
	the son of the commander... I'm rambling, don't let me do that again."

	"I won't, Sir," Starbuck whispered. He wasn't aware that Adama knew 
	about his feelings for Apollo, and the man didn't mind. What was more 
	important, Apollo felt the same way. It made him extremely happy to hear 
	that Adama and Ila had tried to adopt him, but he was glad they couldn't 
	do it, you can't make love to your brother.

	"Good, now how do we go about getting you were you belong, in Apollo's 
	bed," Adama smirked.

	Starbuck spent the rest of the day with Adama, helping the older man form 
	a plan of seduction.


	*****

	Part 4    (Jenny)

	Starbuck left the Commander's quarters feeling lighthearted and hopeful. 
	They had gone over their plan carefully and each of them knew what part 
	he was going to play. The rest would be up to fate.

	As he approached the corridor leading to his quarters he slowed his steps 
	and pasted a dejected look on his face.

	As Adama had predicted, Apollo was pacing outside his door waiting for 
	him to get home.

	"Hey, Starbuck!" Apollo said with forced cheerfulness, "I was beginning 
	to wonder if you were ever going to get home."

	"How come?" Starbuck said listlessly.

	"Seeing how we're both off duty, I thought I'd buy you a drink."

	"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll pass. I've had kind of a rough day."

	"Oh no you don't. I know how that horrible thing that Cassie said must 
	have really hurt you. I'm not going to let you sit home alone feeling sorry 
	for yourself. She's not worth getting upset over. I've always thought you 
	were too good for her anyway. Now come on," Apollo said tugging on the 
	sleeve of his wingmate's jacket, "we're going to the OC."

	Starbuck made a few token protests and allowed his friend to pull him 
	along.

	When they entered the OC, Boomer, Athena, and Sheba were already 
	sitting at their regular table. They all greeted them warmly and Apollo 
	immediately signaled for a round of drinks.

	"Starbuck," Athena said, leaning forward towards him, "I'm so sorry about 
	what happened earlier today with Cassie. That thing she said to you was 
	completely horrible and uncalled for."

	"Don't concern yourself about her," Sheba said with a conspiratorial look 
	towards Athena, "She'll get what's coming to her."

	"No, no. Don't worry about it. She just said what she was thinking, what 
	most people probably think," Starbuck sighed. "I'd rather just forget the 
	whole thing."

	"Forgetting about what she said sounds like a good idea to me," Boomer 
	said. "Women can be more trouble than they're worth." This last earned 
	him a smack from Athena and a disgusted snort from Sheba.

	"Tell me about it," Starbuck agreed morosely. "Sometimes I wonder why I 
	don't just date men."

	Everyone at the table chuckled at that remark, but Starbuck could have 
	sworn he saw a considering look in Apollo's eyes.

	"So, did anyone see last night's triad match? Rusty and Nelson's team was 
	looking pretty good." Apollo changed the subject.

	They all stayed for a couple more rounds of drinks before deciding to call 
	it a night. Apollo walked with Starbuck on the way back to their separate 
	quarters. As they reached the corner where they each needed to turn in a 
	different direction, Apollo asked, "You going to be okay buddy?"

	"I always am," Starbuck replied with a sad smile that didn't reach his eyes. 
	He turned and headed off down the corridor that led to his quarters 
	without a backwards glance.

	Apollo stared after his friend. He really hated Cassiopeia at this moment. 
	'If Starbuck were mine I'd never do anything to cause him any pain. What 
	am I thinking? Starbuck will never be mine,' he thought with a pang of 
	regret as he headed off to his own quarters.

	*****

	The next day Apollo was called to his father's office. Upon arriving, he 
	found the Commander sitting at his desk with a serious look on his face.

	"You wanted to see me, Commander?" Apollo stood at attention.

	"Yes, Apollo. There's no need for formality. I want to talk to you about 
	something personal."

	"Personal?" Apollo relaxed his stance.

	"Yes. It's about Starbuck. You know I don't make a habit of sticking my 
	nose into the personal lives of those under my command, but I'm worried 
	about him after what happened the other day. He seemed so despondent."

	"I noticed that, too."

	"Yes, well, you know I've always had a special place in my heart for him. 
	So when this mission came up I thought it would be just the thing for the 
	two of you."

	"What mission is that, Sir?"

	"I need someone to go and check out a planet one of our patrols ran 
	across. According to our scans it's habitable and has a pleasant climate. 
	The scanners also picked up some readings of life forms so we want to 
	send warriors to collect samples and further readings instead of a civilian 
	team. It's just to be on the safe side. I really don't anticipate you running 
	into any trouble."

	"I don't understand. What does this have to do with your concern over 
	Starbuck?"

	"An opportunity to get away from the confines of daily life aboard a 
	battlestar can be just the thing to perk up someone's spirits. I thought a 
	couple of days planetside might do him a world of good. Knowing how 
	much you care about him, I'm sure you can manage to make him feel 
	better."

	"I think it's a good idea. I'll give it my best shot."

	"I'm sure you will."

	"Thank you, Sir."

	*****

	Part 5     (Betty)

	While Apollo oversaw the loading of the shuttle he and Starbuck would 
	take out for their mission, he also watched his friend very closely. 
	Starbuck did not seem to be perking up at all, which was unusual for the 
	brash Lieutenant. Starbuck always loved getting away from the Galactica 
	for a few days, his enthusiasm bursting at the seams so badly Apollo 
	would have to tell him to calm down.

	But not today. Today he silently helped load the supplies they would need. 
	He did not move slowly, but he did not move with his usual speed either. 
	Instead of running and grabbing the boxes as fast as he could, and telling 
	the ground crew to move their butts, he calmly picked up  the cases and 
	carefully carried them onto the shuttle. Apollo was getting more worried 
	about his friend by the centon.

	'Trying to cheer him up is going to be harder than I thought,' the dark 
	haired Captain said to himself.

	The chief ground crew technician came over and informed Apollo that 
	everything was loaded and they could launch any time. Apollo thanked 
	him and headed to the cockpit. He saw that Starbuck was strapping 
	himself in and still looking like the saddest man alive.

	'He is the saddest man alive right now,' Apollo thought to himself. 'But I'm 
	going to change that, somehow.'

	"Well are you ready to go?" Apollo asked.

	"Yeah, anytime you are," Starbuck said lethargically.

	"The scanners show that the planet has some animal life, but there is no 
	sign of technology, so if there is any intelligent life it's primitive. We'll 
	know better when we do a fly over, see if we spot any small villages or 
	not." Apollo tried to sound enthusiastic, but it was hard to do when his 
	best friend seemed so sad.

	"Yeah, okay," was all Starbuck said as he did the preflight check.

	Two centares later they were flying over the planet. There was no sign of 
	any towns or villages. No intelligent life seemed to inhabit the small 
	beautiful planet. They set down in large meadow and started to set up 
	camp. Because they did not  know anything about the animal life, Apollo 
	decided they should sleep in the shuttle. So they turned the back of it into 
	a sleeping area and all they had to do outside was dig a small fire pit and 
	set up their food prep and eating tables, plus dig a small latrine at the edge 
	of the forest to the west of the shuttle, their food would be kept locked up 
	in the shuttle, to prevent any animals from scavenging it.

	"Well it's getting late, why don't we do a quick check of the water in that 
	pond over there and if it's safe we can have a fast swim and then get 
	ourselves some dinner ... " Apollo looked towards Starbuck's last position, 
	but he was gone. "Starbuck? *Starbuck*!" Apollo looked around 
	frantically for his friend, then saw him at the water's edge, testing the 
	water.

	Running over to him Apollo said, "Starbuck, you should have told me you 
	were going to test the water, you scared me half to death. I thought 
	something had happened to you."

	"Nobody would miss me anyway," Starbuck replied sadly.

	"What makes you say that? You can't possibly believe those terrible things 
	Cassie said to you."

	Apollo knelt down beside Starbuck as he spoke and placed his hand on the 
	blond man's shoulder, turning Starbuck so he could look him in the eye. 
	Starbuck tried to pull free but Apollo took a firmer hold and he could not 
	get away. That's when Apollo saw the tears.

	"Starbuck why are you crying?" Apollo asked softly.

	"What's wrong with me? Why won't anybody love me?" Starbuck sobbed.

	Apollo couldn't hold back his feelings anymore; he had to tell Starbuck 
	how he felt .He pulled Starbuck into a tight hug and, stroking the blond 
	head, he said, "There is nothing wrong with you and you are loved: I love 
	you. I have always loved you. You're *the* most important person in my 
	life and I could not  go on if anything happened to you."

	Starbuck  raised his head, looked into Apollo's eyes, and sobbed, "Do you 
	mean that? You're not just saying it to make me feel better?"

	Apollo gently brushed Starbuck's tears with his fingertips, then leaned 
	down and captured the soft, luscious lips with his.

	*****

	Part 6    (Jen)

	Starbuck seemed to come alive under the kiss. The blond clung tightly to 
	his wing mate, seeming never to want to let go. 

	Apollo pulled back slightly and licked the remaining tear tracks off of his 
	soul mate's face. "Does that answer your question?" he whispered.

	In answer Starbuck moved in for another searing kiss. His hands began to 
	move tentatively up and down his love's back, enjoying the feel of hard 
	muscle. He dared to move his hands lower to the firm buttocks and Apollo 
	responded by pressing his body even closer to him.

	They finally had to come up for air or run the risk of passing out. "Come 
	on," Apollo pulled his wing mate towards the shuttle, "we'll be more 
	comfortable inside."

	Without a word, Starbuck followed his companion into the shuttle. Once 
	inside he became overcome with sudden shyness.

	"What's wrong?" Apollo crossed the short distance over to where the 
	Lieutenant was standing and peppered his face lightly with kisses. "Don't 
	you want this?"

	"Oh, yes," Starbuck gasped, "more than anything! I'm just feeling a little 
	overwhelmed is all. This was so unexpected."

	Apollo pulled him close for a reassuring hug and the blond smiled slyly. 
	His face was all innocence again when the dark haired man kissed him 
	gently and then gazed deep into blue eyes. "You have no idea how long 
	I've had these feelings for you. I just never thought I'd have the courage to 
	tell you about them. I'm so sorry it took something like what happened 
	with Cassie for me to finally work up the nerve, but I'm glad it did happen. 
	I hope that doesn't sound too selfish of me."

	"Not selfish. Now that I know that you love me, I'm glad it happened, 
	too." Starbuck leaned in and kissed him hungrily.

	They began pulling at each other's clothes desperately as they stumbled 
	towards the makeshift bed. When they were both fully naked Apollo 
	leaned up on this elbow and gaze worshipfully down at his love's body for 
	a few moments. Starbuck felt his pulse quicken and his erection twitch 
	painfully under the lust-filled green eyes.

	When Starbuck thought he couldn't lay still a micron longer, the Captain 
	lowered his head and captured one perfect nipple with his mouth. He 
	teased it with his tongue until the blond was squirming wildly underneath 
	him and trying to move him up towards his waiting mouth. Only then did 
	he move to the other nipple and repeat the process.

	Starbuck bucked even more wildly underneath him and Apollo increased 
	the sweet torture by shifting so that his body was completely on top of his 
	new lover and grinding their granite hard erections together.

	"Apolloooo!" the blond gasped, "you're killing me!"

	"Oh, but what a way to go," Apollo chuckled throatily before capturing the 
	blue-eyed man's mouth in another scorching kiss.

	Apollo thought his partner was bucking wildly before until he moistened 
	his finger and began teasing his love's anus with it and the blond almost 
	bucked him off of the bed. The sight of Starbuck so wantonly moaning 
	beneath him was almost enough to cause him to come right then and there. 
	He worked two other fingers into his lover's hole and began pumping them 
	in and out.

	"Pollll! I need you in me now!"

	Apollo removed his fingers and hurriedly grabbed some cooking oil that 
	was in with their nearby food supplies.

	"Now now now now now!" Starbuck moaned helplessly.

	The Captain flipped his wing mate over and slowly began to enter him, 
	stopping halfway to allow the other man to adjust. Fighting not to lose 
	control, he entered the hot, tight hole fully and began pumping himself in 
	and out at a leisurely pace. He used his hand to pump the blond's engorged 
	cock in an answering rhythm.

	"Faster! Please, faster!"

	Apollo quickly complied and thrust forcefully in and out until he couldn't 
	hold on any longer and came screaming his love's name. Starbuck 
	followed soon after pumping his seed forcefully out across his lover's hand 
	and his own abdomen.

	The two sweat-soaked lovers collapsed onto the bed, one on top of the 
	other. They lay there for long moments trying to get their breathing under 
	control. After a time, Apollo rolled over onto his side so as not to crush 
	the other man but stayed pressed close against him. He dropped tender 
	kisses against muscular shoulders and up along the column of the exposed 
	neck.

	Starbuck rolled onto his back, smiling up at his new lover with a dazed yet 
	satiated expression on his face. "I love you, Pol."

	"I love you, too, Bucko. More than you could imagine."

	"Mmmmm." Starbuck stretched lazily. "I'd like to try and imagine."

	Apollo kissed him deeply. "You don't have to imagine. I plan on spending 
	the rest of my life telling you how much I love you and how special you 
	are to me."

	**Hhhoooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwlllllllllllll**

	The two warriors started at the low inhuman moan off in the distance.

	"What was that?"

	**Hhhhhoooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwllllllllllllllll**

	"I don't know, but it sounds like its getting closer," the Captain answered. 
	"We better get dressed and get our dinner cooked before it gets dark. I 
	don't want to be out there with that thing when night falls."

	"Me either," the Lieutenant agreed, scrambling for his clothes.

	*****

	Part 7     (Betty)


	The two lovers quickly built up the fire so they could cook their meal and 
	eat before the sun went down. This task was complicated by the fact that 
	they both had to stop what they doing every ten microns in order to kiss. 
	When the food was finally cooked, they then took turns feeding each 
	other, plus kissing in between bites. But the whole time the howling 
	became louder and closer. Then without any warning the animal was 
	there, in front of them.

	"Hhhhhhhhhhhhhooooooooooowwwwwwwwwlllllllllllllllllllll!" The 
	animal sounded like it was in pain.

	Starbuck stood up and took a good look at it. "Apollo, look it's a daggit."

	"What? It can't be," Apollo answered.

	But it was indeed a daggit, and it was in pain. Starbuck started to walk 
	slowly towards it.

	"Wait Starbuck it's a wild daggit, you don't know what it will do."

	"I don't think it's wild, Apollo, look: it has a collar. It belongs to 
	someone."

	"But this planet is uninhabited. How did it get here?" Apollo wondered 
	aloud.

	Starbuck sat down on his haunches and called to the daggit. The small 
	animal looked at him, pain in its soft brown eyes. Then Starbuck noticed 
	what was wrong. The animal was pregnant and in labour.

	"Oh, Apollo, we have to help her, she must be having trouble birthing her 
	babies."

	Apollo agreed and the two quickly but gently lifted the daggit and carried 
	her into the shuttle. Apollo examined her and found the problem, the first 
	puppy was coming out sideways. He would have to reach in and turn it so 
	it could come out. The procedure was easy to do and, once done, the 
	daggit quickly gave birth to five wiggly pups, all appearing healthy and 
	strong.

	"Well, now that's done, how do find out how you got here?" Apollo said to 
	the daggit. He saw a small gold tag on the collar, lifted it, and saw that the 
	name 'Lady' was inscribed on the tag.

	"Okay, so we know your name. I think we had better give this place a 
	better look in the morning. The scanners showed no signs of life, except 
	animal, but I wonder if maybe a ship crashed and that's how you got here."

	"But Apollo, we didn't see any sign of a crash  when we came down," 
	Starbuck reminded him.

	"I know, but it is possible we missed it and, if so, the ship's remains may 
	tell us where the people came from. It's possible this little daggit is from 
	Earth."

	"You think Earth has daggits?"

	"Why wouldn't it? The daggits we had are descended from the daggits that 
	our ancestors brought with them from Kobol, so I'm sure the thirteenth 
	tribe did the same."

	Starbuck grinned down at the new mother washing her pups. "Is that 
	where you're from girl? Are you an Earth daggit?"

	Lady's reply was a yawn. 

	*****

	Part Eight    (Jen)

	Starbuck chuckled. "I know how you feel girl." He stretched and winced.

	"You okay?" Apollo gave his friend a concerned look.

	"More than okay," Starbuck smiled. "I'm just a little sore, that's all."

	The Captain blushed. "Was I a little too rough on you before?"

	"No. Not at all. It's a good kind of sore. I think maybe we should think 
	about turning in for the night though."

	Apollo couldn't help the huge grin that spread across his face at the 
	thought of spending the night snuggled up next to his new lover. He could 
	tell by the look he got in return that his partner was thinking the same 
	thing.

	After leaving some food and water out for the daggit and her pups, the 
	campfire was doused and the remaining food was cleared up and put away 
	in record time.  They both practically dove into their makeshift bed, 
	pulling their clothing off and tossing it haphazardly onto the floor.

	"You do realize that I'm going to pay you back for driving me insane with 
	need earlier," Starbuck murmured breathlessly.

	"I'm counting on it," was the equally breathless reply.

	*****

	The next morning they decided to get an early start to look for any signs of 
	the wreckage of a ship. Using a hand-held scanner, they headed out on 
	foot.

	"Whatever craft that daggit arrived in hopefully shouldn't be too far. After 
	all, how far could a pregnant daggit have roamed?" Apollo mused aloud.

	"Not far, I hope. Lords its hot out here!"

	"I know what you mean. How about we go for a skinny dip in the lake 
	later?"

	"How about we go for one now?" Starbuck asked hopefully.

	Apollo leaned close and gave his lover a kiss full of promise. "Work first. 
	Play later."

	"Somehow I knew you were going to say that," the blond groused.

	"Well, this could be a very important discovery. Can you imagine my 
	father's reaction if we find a clue to Earth's whereabouts?"

	"I can see him salivating now. Hey, maybe the ship is at the bottom of the 
	lake."

	"Nice try."

	"It was worth a shot."

	"I'll give you a shot." Green-eyes roamed over his body lustfully.

	"Now who's mind isn't on work."

	"You must be a good influence on me."

	"Don't you mean a *bad* influence?"

	"Nope, but keep moving anyway. I'd like to get back to the shuttle before 
	the day gets any hotter."

	"Amen to that!"

	*****

	Loved 9     (Betty)


	The two men searched the woods for about fifteen centons, until suddenly 
	they came upon a crash site. The ship was about the size of a shuttle, with 
	a large view window in the front. The window was completely broken, 
	with a body hanging out. The victim's body was about the same build as 
	an adult male, but the similarity ended there. The head was larger with 
	what appeared to be antenna sticking out the top, and the arms ended in 
	what looked like lobster claws. In fact the alien reminded the two warriors 
	of a boiled lobster, it's skin was the same deep red colour.

	Apollo suggested they look inside to see if there were any survivors. 
	Going around the side of the ship Starbuck found  that the back had been 
	ripped opened. The two entered together, weapons drawn for protection, 
	but held down at their sides so as not to scare any survivors. Then they 
	heard the low moan of someone in pain.

	"Hello, is anyone alive in here?" Apollo called out.

	"Here... over here... I am... trapped... under the... panel," they heard 
	someone reply.

	Climbing quickly but carefully over the wreckage of the ship, the two 
	humans made their way to the middle of the ship. There they found the 
	only survivor of the crash. The other five members of the crew were all 
	dead.

	You... are... human," The alien said.

	Apollo answered, "Yes, we're from the Battlestar Galactica."

	"Never... heard of it... I didn't know... the people of... Earth could travel 
	this far."

	Apollo and Starbuck looked at each other, then back at the being trapped 
	beneath the panel.

	"You know about Earth?" Apollo asked.

	"Oh yes, we passed by the planet oh about five Earth years ago. That's 
	where we got Lady and Laddie, they were just pups then... Poor Laddie, he 
	died in the crash, but I saw Lady get away... she is about to have her own 
	pups."

	"She had them last night. We helped her. She had five of them," Starbuck 
	told him.

	"Oh good... you can take her back home with you then."

	"Why don't we get you out from under there, then we can see how we can 
	help you," Apollo said.

	"No... won't do any good... I'm almost dead now... can't feel anything from 
	the... chest down... just promise me you will take Lady back to... Earth 
	with you."

	Apollo then explained where they were from and what the Cylons had 
	done and why they were looking for Earth.

	"Oh my... if you go to that shelf over there we had some books on Earth... 
	they have fallen down onto the floor....but you can have them..... some 
	have photographs in them of Earth... and there is a star map... it's rolled up 
	and in a tube... it will show you exactly were Earth is... do your ships have 
	warp drive... how fast can you go?"

	Once more Apollo had to explain to the alien about how they could only 
	go as fast as their slowest ship, and how they must search for food and 
	fuel.

	"Well, the map shows planets...where such things can be found... planets 
	that you will find friends... and enemies but I'm afraid at the speed you're... 
	going it may take you almost fifty years to reach Earth."

	The alien then started to cough and his breathing became very erratic. 
	Apollo looked around for a first aid kit, but the alien took one final breath 
	and died.

	"We didn't even ask him his name," Starbuck whispered.

	"I know Starbuck, I'm sorry," Apollo replied. He saw the tears in 
	Starbuck's eyes and pulled him into a tight hug. "It's okay, he didn't die 
	alone and he gave us a great gift before he left."

	"This panel is heavy, we wouldn't have been able to lift it off him."

	"No. Lets get the books he told us about, and the map, and let him rest in 
	peace now."

	*****

	Part 10    (Jen)

	Apollo went to get the maps while Starbuck searched for a tarp to cover 
	the dead alien. He would have liked to bury him but settled for covering 
	him up and saying a silent prayer.

	How awful to die alone like that. He hoped when it was his time to go that 
	it would be in Apollo's arms. He was startled from his morose thoughts by 
	a gentle hand on his shoulder.

	"We really should be getting back," Apollo said gently.

	"I know." Then after a few moments, "I'm so glad we realized our true 
	feelings for one another. Life is too short to waste one precious moment."

	"I know, love. I can't imagine dying without ever having told you how 
	much I love you."

	"Me either." Starbuck moved into his lover's warm embrace for a gentle 
	kiss.

	***** 

	When they returned to the shuttle Starbuck gave the lake a wistful look. 
	Apollo couldn't help but notice. "We really should get back to the 
	Galactica with these. This is a very important discovery."

	"Did you hear what the alien said about it taking us fifty yahrens to reach 
	earth?"

	"Yeah." The Captain followed his lover's longing filled gaze to the lake. 
	He turned to him and smiled. "I guess they can wait another centar. Let me 
	just put this stuff away for safe keeping."

	He was rewarded by a blinding smile before the blond turned and raced 
	towards the lake.

	By the time he got there his lover and already stripped and was happily 
	splashing around in the water. He hurriedly followed suit and jumped into 
	the lake with a loud slash. When he came back up from under the water 
	Starbuck was directly in front of him.

	"There's one other thing I really want to do before we leave too," he said 
	moving in for a kiss.

	Apollo moaned into his mouth and held onto him tightly. After long 
	moments of kissing and caressing each other, the dark-haired warrior 
	pulled away. "We better take this to shore before we both end up 
	drowning."

	Starbuck readily agreed and soon they were lying in each other's arms on 
	the grassy shore. Apollo moved on top of his wingmate so that their 
	members were pressing against each other and began rocking his hips.

	"Mmmmm, Pol! That feels soooo goooood!" the blond gasped between 
	blistering kisses.

	Their hands roamed over each other's naked flesh hungrily. Both of them 
	reveling in the feel of each other's bodies.

	"Star! Oooooh, Star!" Apollo felt as if he were on fire. He held on for as 
	long as he could, not wanting this moment to ever end. Then he felt his 
	orgasm coursing through him and he erupted over his lover's abdomen 
	crying out, "STAAARRRRBBBUUUCCCKKK!!" and bucking against him.

	Starbuck felt his lover's hot seed spurt onto him and could hold on no 
	longer. He thrust upward and his seed joined his love's across their bellies. 
	"AAAPPPOOOLLLLLOOO!"

	They lay there long moments satiated, murmuring soft words of love, and 
	exchanging tender kisses.

	After a time Apollo roused himself. "We really should wash up and get 
	going," he said with reluctance.

	"Fifty yahrens, Pol," was the response.

	Apollo grinned at him. "You are really corrupting me."

	Starbuck grinned and kissed him on the nose before getting up and 
	heading to the lake. The two of them spent the next several centars 
	enjoying the water and each other. When the sun started getting low in the 
	sky they both realized that they hadn't eaten since the morning meal.

	Both feeling famished they headed back to their campsite for a final meal 
	before packing up and heading back to the Galactica.

	*****

	Part 11    (Betty)

	The trip back to the Galactica was quick. Lady didn't even make a sound, 
	she just curled up around her pups and kept them quiet. When the shuttle 
	landed on the alpha landing bay, Cassie waiting for them.

	"Wonder what she wants to do to him now?" Apollo said mumbled under 
	his breath.

	Starbuck hadn't noticed her yet, he was to busy gathering Lady and her 
	pups into an empty box he found at the back of the shuttle.

	"Apollo what do you think the Commander will say to us when he finds 
	out we brought back these daggits?"

	"Oh, he will probably put a fuss, complaining about the extra food the 
	animals will eat and then be the first person to pick out a puppy."

	"Sounds like he's to soft hearted for his own good."

	"Shhh don't tell anyone, but my grandparents use to tell me stories about 
	him bringing home lost animals when he was a kid. He could never stand 
	the fact that they had no home."

	Apollo's remark reminded him of the secret Adama had told him after 
	Cassie's hurtful words and he smiled down at the daggits thinking, 'That's 
	what he wanted to do for me, and he finally succeeded.'

	Apollo saw the lost look on Starbuck's face and asked, "Hey baby, what's 
	wrong?"

	"Nothing I was just thinking about something."

	Starbuck kept his head down, he didn't want Apollo to see the tears in his 
	eyes, but Apollo reached down and  placed his hand on Starbuck's chin 
	and gently pushed his head up.

	"No more tears Starbuck, you have a home with me. As far as I'm 
	concerned your the most loved person in this fleet."

	Starbuck all but jumped into Apollo's arms, hugging him tightly. Apollo 
	kissed those soft lips once more before they debarked the shuttle. As soon 
	as they stepped off, and before Apollo had a chance to order the ground 
	crew to unload what they had brought back, Cassie came up to them.

	"Starbuck, I need to talk to you."

	"What do you want Cassie?" Apollo asked, in a not too friendly tone.

	"I want to talk to Starbuck *alone*." She said to the captain.

	"Whatever you have to say to me you can say in front of Apollo," 
	Starbuck said, his voice just above a whisper.

	Taking a deep breath Cassie said, "I just wanted to say how sorry I was for 
	what I said to you the other day. I had no right to say those things, they 
	were said in anger because you wouldn't stop what you were doing and 
	pay attention to my advances. I hope you can forgive me and maybe start 
	over again maybe go out for dinner on the Rising Star? I`ll even pay for 
	the dinner and a private dining room."

	Starbuck felt Apollo's arms tighten on his at Cassie's words, and he said to 
	her, "I forgive you Cassie. I thank you as well, if it wasn't for what you 
	said Apollo and I may never have gotten together."

	Cassie stared at her former lover. "What did you say?"

	"He said he forgives you but as far as the two of getting back together 
	again forget it because now he's mine," Apollo said smiling from ear to 
	ear.

	"You're kidding. This is a joke."

	"No, it's no joke Cass. Apollo and I are in love, we have been for a long 
	time. We just never had the courage until now to admit it, and what you 
	said to me caused it to happen. So all I can say is, thank you. Now if you'll 
	excuse me, I have work to do."

	Starbuck walked towards the back of the shuttle to see to the unloading, 
	leaving Cassie with her mouth hanging open. 

	Apollo reached up and pushed it shut as he said, "Your lose is my gain my 
	dear."

	******

	"Well how was your mission boys?" Adama asked when the two entered 
	his quarters to give their report. He did not know about the daggits yet, 
	they had left the box out in the corridor.

	Adama didn't know which one was beaming more, they both had huge 
	smiles plastered on their faces. But the look on Starbuck's face told him 
	that their plan had worked.

	"The mission went fine sir. I've instructed Boomer to make landing parties 
	to gather food and water. There is also a good supply of fuel in the 
	mountain areas of the planet, and we also found a ship that had crashed."

	Apollo explained what the alien on the ship had told them as he handed his 
	father the books and star map they had been given.

	"It's too bad he died. I'm sure his people would have made great allies. 
	Now you said he gave you another gift. Something he wants you to return 
	to Earth. What is it?"

	Taking a deep breath Apollo went to the door. Before he could open it his 
	son was suddenly there carrying the box and sitting down on the floor, he 
	threw his arms around Apollo's waist as he yelled, "*DAGGITS*! You 
	brought back real daggits!"

	Adama went rigid. "What?! Are you serious? We have trouble feeding our 
	people and you bring daggits on board!"

	"But Sir, she was in labour. Apollo had to reach in and turn the first little 
	puppy around so it could be born. She would have died if he hadn't done 
	that as well as her puppies. We couldn't leave her down there, she wouldn't 
	have survived on her own," Starbuck pleaded.

	Adama looked at the mother and babies, his stern look turned into a smile. 
	"They are cute little buggers, but you should have warned me ahead of 
	time, the black one is mine."

	Apollo smiled at Starbuck and chuckled as he said, "See what did I tell 
	you."

	"Can I have one too, dad?"

	"The mother is mine," Starbuck interrupted.

	Adama, Apollo and Boxey all looked at Starbuck and laughed, then 
	Apollo said, "I know you don't like the subject being changed like this 
	father. But Starbuck and I have something to tell everyone at the next 
	family dinner."

	"Oh, and what would that be?"

	"Nope, no way, you're going to have to wait until tomorrow night."

	Adama's hand went to his chin as he said, "Ah, I see."

	Apollo escorted his son and his lover out the door. Boxey was trying to 
	carry the box of daggits which Starbuck had to take from him before he 
	dropped it. When the door shut Adama sat down in his chair, leaned back, 
	placed his feet on the desk and his hands behind his head and said, "I love 
	it when a plan comes together."

	*****

	Part 12    (Jen)

	The next evening Starbuck and Apollo arrived for dinner fashionably late. 
	In truth, they were occupied after a tiny dispute over who got to use the 
	turbowash first. They settled it by sharing a turbowash together. Actually 
	the dispute lasted almost less than a micron. The turbowash itself lasted 
	almost a three quarters of a centar. 

	The other guests were already there and making a valiant effort in not 
	showing their impatience. 

	"Apollo, you tell us you have a big announcement. You keep us in 
	suspense until this dinner. Now you keep us waiting even further," Adama 
	commented. "I dare say, as patient a man as I am, my patience is reaching 
	an end."

	Apollo directed a smile at the occupants of the room that could have lit up 
	all twelve colonies. Perhaps even the lost thirteenth tribe of Earth. "Okay, 
	okay," he chuckled delightedly. "I suppose you've been kept in suspense 
	long enough." He directed a look at his companion. "Starbuck and I are 
	getting sealed!"

	After a unified gasp from the people in the room, Apollo and Starbuck 
	cringed and took a step backwards when suddenly Athena and Sheba 
	rushed over to them. They almost fell to the floor when they found that 
	they weren't coming to attack them but to congratulate them. Not only 
	congratulate them but to wrap each of them in turn in a lovingly fierce 
	hug.

	Starbuck and Apollo were both stunned to see tears of joy in the two 
	women's eyes.

	"I'm glad you're not angry," Starbuck practically stammered, "But I-I 
	wasn't expecting this."

	Athena wiped at her face. "Of course we're not angry. Not only did the 
	two of you finally realize your true feelings for each other, but while you 
	were away, Sheba and I discovered our true feelings for each other."

	Sheba could only nod in vigorous agreement, tears of happiness 
	shimmering in her eyes.

	Just when the two male warriors had thought they couldn't be happier. 
	Leave it to those two to one up them.

	Sheba and Athena clasped the mens hands in their own, squeezing them 
	tightly. "We can't tell you how happy we are for both of you, for all of us. 
	You are loved," Sheba spoke for both of them while Athena nodded her 
	head in whole-hearted agreement. Both of them giving Starbuck's hand an 
	extra tight squeeze.

	A jubilant Adama spoke up just then, his own eyes looking a little misty. 
	"You honestly don't even know just how much, even now." He looked 
	directly at Starbuck while speaking.

	Starbuck and Apollo gave him a deeply inquisitive look.

	"Oh, no. You made me wait. You two have to wait also. Don't worry 
	though," Adama smiled. "I think you'll enjoy this news almost as much as 
	I... I... well, words cannot express how delighted I am with yours. I'm sure 
	this news will only add to your happiness though."

	"Father! Come on. Tell!" Apollo pleaded. His plea was echoed by the 
	others in the room but being the stubborn and sometimes devious man that 
	he was the Commander refused to budge.

	The air of anticipation over yet another promised pleasant surprise seemed 
	to make everyone even more animated than usual. Though they certainly 
	didn't need any more encouragement, the small gathering couldn't help but 
	unanimously agree that this was the most wonderful family gathering 
	they'd ever had. Including the family dinners from even before the 
	destruction. 

	*****

	Part 13    (Betty)

	Adama made the four youngsters wait an entire secton for his big secret. 
	Whenever Apollo or Athena approached him and begged him to please 
	tell, he would just smirk and say, "You`ll find out at the next family 
	dinner. "Which made them even more curious as to what was going on. 
	On the third day, Adama was talking a walk down the corridors and 
	stopped outside one of the recreation centres when he overheard Apollo 
	and Athena talking.

	"Athena you were here when Starbuck and I were down on the planet, and 
	you work side by side with father, you must have seen something that 
	could give us a clue as to what his big secret is."

	"Sorry Apollo I didn`t notice anything different about him, you know he 
	doesn`t mix personal business with duty."

	"What about when he was off duty, did he go anywhere?"

	"Just to his quarters, I think."

	"You think?"

	"Well, I was busy with Sheba when I was off duty, so I really couldn`t tell 
	you if he went anywhere."

	Adama chuckled to himself as he turned and quickly left the area, his 
	children never knew he was there.

	When the night of the family dinner arrived, everyone showed up on time, 
	in fact Apollo and Starbuck were a few centons early. Adama was still 
	wearing the smirk from the last dinner, and telling the four young people 
 	they were going to have to wait until after dinner. No one was surprised 
	at the fact that Colonel Tigh was also at the dinner that night, he was 
	also considered part of Adama`s family and was always there when not on 
	bridge duty. however not one of them caught the small smirk he was wearing, 
	or the gleam in his eye. They did get annoyed at the way the two older men 
	kept sneaking glances their way and whispering to each other then snickering 
	at the confused looks they were given.

	After the meal was eaten and the dessert dishes cleared Apollo cleared his 
	throat and demanded his father reveal his secret.

	"Oh all right, but first I must open another bottle of Ambrosa."

	The four young people groaned in frustration as Adama took his time 
	getting the bottle out of his closet, then slowly picked up the cork screw, 
	purposely dropping it four times, then making a show of tasting it, Tigh 
	joined in this taste test as well. The two older men used up another ten 
	centons proclaiming how wonderful the Ambrosa tasted.

	"Why don`t you just pour us each a glass so we can taste it for ourselves," 
	Starbuck suggested.

	Adama looked the lieutenant in the eye, but couldn`t keep his stern face 
	and burst out laughing.

	"Oh, all right you four young people win, pass me your glasses."

	When each glass was full Adama continued his teasing. "Now tell me isn`t 
	that the most wonderful Ambrosa you have ever tasted?"

	"Father, the Ambrosa is fine, now tell us this big secret you have." 
	Apollo`s frustration was starting to show, and Adama loved it.

	"Oh, all right I`ll tell you, I can see your all dying to know what it is, now 
	as you know last secton Apollo and Starbuck announced that the two of them wish 
	to be sealed, and Athena and Sheba announced that the two of them are also a 
	couple, I`m not sure if you ladies are planning on getting sealed or not, um 
	are you?"

	Athena smiled at her father and told him they hadn`t really discussed it 
	yet.

	"Well maybe in time then, lets just see where your relationship goes from 
	here then why don`t we, now for my news, I know you have been wondering what 
	it is, asking each other if they have noticed anything different about me, 
	coming in here and begging me to tell..."

	"Will you please stop beating around the bush and tell us." Apollo almost 
	shouted.

	Adama fell silent for a moment before going on. "I would like to take this 
	opportunity to tell you all that I am also getting sealed, to the most 
	wonderful person I know."

	"And that is?" Athena asked.

	"Oh, didn`t I tell you? I guess I didn`t, Tigh and I plan on getting sealed."

	The four young people whooped for joy, Athena ran over and kissed both 
	her father and Tigh while Apollo grabbed Starbuck and kissed him hard on 
	the lips.

	"I guess that means their happy for us Colonel," Adama said to his lover.

	"I would have to agree," Tigh grinned.

	"Hey, we didn`t even know you two were dating," Athena pouted.

	"You know what sounds nice, a double wedding, we could get one of the 
	high priests or priestess to do the ceremony," Apollo suggested.

	Adama agreed and added, "Yes, that would be a fine idea, and we could 
	do it in the council chambers, in front of the big viewing window, with all 
	the stars in the background."

	"Oh that sounds so romantic," Sheba cooed.

	"Well then that settles it, that`s what we will do." Adama slapped the 
	table. "I will take care of the ceremony end, Apollo and Starbuck you two 
	take care of the invitations, and Athena you're in charge of the dinner 
	afterwards, with Sheba`s help of course."

	*****

	Part 14    (Jen)

	Two sectons later the day of the double sealing arrived. Although they had 
	hoped to keep the guest list small, it didn't turn out that way. The 
	ceremony wasn't  to start for another thirty centons but already the council 
	chamber was packed with eager well-wishers. The double sealing of both 
	the Commander and his son was an event not to be missed.

	Adama had suggested that they all meet in his quarters before the 
	ceremony so that they could all arrive together. Apollo objected that the 
	grooms shouldn't see their intended before the ceremony but his father 
	overruled him.

	"Nonsense. It's much more practical, it's close to the council chambers and 
	besides," he winked at his son, "we can make sure that our future mates 
	don't get cold feet and skip out at the last minute."

	Apollo had looked horrified. "You don't really think Starbuck would 
	change his mind about sealing to me, do you?"

	"Son, I can guarantee that Starbuck wouldn't miss this for the world," the 
	Commander had assured him with a smile.

	Now dressed in their finest dress uniforms, the four men were gathered in 
	the Commander's quarters.

	Adama cleared his throat loudly and addressed his companions. "I have to 
	admit that I had an ulterior motive for bringing you all here today."

	Three sets of inquisitive eyes turned to him.

	"I've already told Starbuck about this because I had felt that he needed to 
	know. Now I think its time Apollo knew also. Tigh since you are a part of 
	my family too, I wanted you here as well."

	Apollo gave his lover a puzzled look but said nothing.

	"You see, when you two young men told me you had decided to get sealed 
	it meant more to me than I can say. Your sealing is the fulfillment of a 
	life-long dream of mine and your mothers."

	Looking even more confused, Apollo asked, "My mother? How could this 
	have anything to do with my mother?"

	"You know that Ila and I always considered Starbuck to be our son. As a 
	matter of fact, so much so that we even tried to adopt him. Unfortunately, 
	by the time we were able to get all of the proper paperwork in order, the 
	orphanage informed us that Starbuck was too old to adopt. It was almost 
	as if someone or something was conspiring to keep us from adopting him."

	Apollo looked over at his best friend and lover with tears in his eyes. 
	Starbuck smiled at his love and laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

	"Ila and I came to realize that you and Starbuck weren't destined to be 
	brothers," Adama continued. "The two of you are soul mates, you were 
	destined to be life partners. Ila and I had always dreamed of the day that 
	the two of you would be sealed. Your mother may not be here in body, but 
	I assure you that she is here in spirit."

	With tear-filled eyes, the Commander embraced the two sons that he loved 
	equally. After a moment he looked up to see Tigh standing a little ways 
	away with tears in his own eyes. Adama smiled lovingly at him and 
	gestured for him to join them. The four men stood hugging each other for 
	long moments before breaking apart.

	Adama stepped back, looked each man in the eye and told them, "You are 
	loved."

	"We love you too, father," Starbuck and Apollo both replied.

	"I love you more than words can say," Tigh said as he stepped forward to 
	embrace his beloved.

	"Well then, gentlemen," the Commander stated, "lets go get sealed."

	*****

	None of the men were able to keep the goofy smiles off of their faces 
	during the whole ceremony.

	The reception was held on the Rising Star. When the cake was cut Tigh 
	was unable to keep himself from following Starbuck's example. He 
	smashed a piece of cake all over Adama's face. Adama didn't mind though 
	because Tigh promptly began licking it off.

	Later, when it was time to throw the bouquets it was Athena who caught 
	Starbuck's. Sheba managed to get Tigh's as well even though she had to 
	tackle one of other guests and wrestle it out of their hands to do it.

	Seeing this, Adama laughed and whispered to Tigh. "I do believe it won't 
	be long before we're attending another sealing."

	The End