AFTER THE PEGASUS
By Ruthann 
 
Takes place 5 minutes after the end the Living Legend Part Two.
 
     Lt Starbuck left the life station after seeing that Lt. Sheba and
Lt. Bojay were on the way to recovery.  "Couldn't wait to get out of
there!" he thought to himself.  As he turned the corner he almost ran in
to Boomer and Athena.
     "Hey Bucko where's the fire?"  Boomer couldn't resist that knowing
how Starbuck felt about the life station.
      "How did she take the news about her father?" Athena asked, concern
knotted her forehead.
     Starbuck smiled and replied, "Better than expected. She thinks
there's a chance he's still alive and not breaking communication
silence."
     "Great!" Boomer replied.  "We could use another couple of warriors
of their caliber.  I wonder which squadron she and Bojay will be assigned
once they are released."
     "I'll bet it won't be Blue Squadron as seeing to the little stand
off we had on the Pegasus," Starbuck replied passing Boomer a knowing
look.
     "Well, I'll be glad to have someone to relate too.  I've never had
another Commander's daughter to talk shop with and I'm looking forward to
it," Athena said. "Did you know she was also a bridge officer on the
Pegasus too?"
     Starbuck rolled his eyes with a incredulous look at Athena  and
Boomer.  "Are you sure?" he asked.
     "Athena, where did you get that piece of information?"  Boomer
inquired. "From the other Pegasus  pilots that did come over at first to
the Officers Club?"
     "All of the Pegasus warriors and the Bridge crew had to rotate. It
makes sense Cain wanted them cross trained to do both duties."
     "After all they were in the heart of the Cylon outer capital after
all."
     Boomer thoughtfully replied back, "He probably knew there was a need
to have as many pilots as possible."
     "I can't imagine her, let alone Bojay doing that!"  Starbuck said.
     "What's wrong with being a bridge officer?"  Athena bristled and
looked Starbuck right in the eye.
     "It's just that to be a bridge officer, Athena," Boomer replied,
"You have to be, oh, maybe somewhat diplomatic and I don't see those two
as such."
     Athena looked somewhat appeased by the compliment and said,  "Well
I'm going in to see them so please step aside."
     Just then Commander Adama stepped out and said, "Athena, is
everything all right?"
     "Yes.  I just wanted to welcome Sheba aboard and to welcome back
Bojay."  Athena looked at her father and thanked the lords it wasn't him
that disappeared.
     Adama replied, "Sheba just drifted off.  Dr. Salik says it will be
that way because they had to heavily sedate her and Bojay to get them off
the Pegasus.  It has been a very long cycle."  Adama breathed out.
     "So where is my brother?"  Athena quizzed her father.
     "I thought he was right behind me."  Adama turned and looked but
there was no Apollo.  "Probably talking to Bojay," he added.
     "Well, let me go and welcome Bojay back."  Athena stepped in to the
life station.
     "Well Commander," Starbuck started with a smile on his face, "The
question Boomer and I have is what squadron will Bojay and Sheba be in?"
     "Well it's up to Col. Tigh, but based on their years of experience
together, I would think they would stay wing mates.  But again it's up to
Col. Tigh."
     Boomer gave Starbuck a shrug and said, "We'll have to wait and see."
     "But Boomer, I'm a gotta know kind of guy.  The suspense is going to
kill me."  He answered with a air of exasperation.
     Boomer rolled his eyes and said, " Sure Starbuck, after the way
Sheba put you down you want to take another shot at her.  Come on
Starbuck, Jolly is waiting for us at the OC for a drink."
     As Athena walked in to the life station, she greeted Cassie and
asked to see Bojay.   "Sure thing, down on the left." 
     As she approached the bed she saw Bojay but no Apollo.  Bojay's eyes
were open, but he was staring at the ceiling.  "How are you feeling?  Any
better?" she asked.
     He turned to look at her and said, "As well as can be expected." 
     "Welcome back aboard the Galactica."
     "Thanks."  He tried to get up but pain was etched on his face even
though he tried to hide it.
     "Hey, don't get up on my account.  You were wounded pretty bad,"
Athena said, started that he would attempt to get up.
     "Athena, what happened to the Pegasus?"
     Athena looked down at her boots then looked him in those brown eyes
and said, "We aren't sure.  She launched her missiles and disappeared
after the two base ships exploded."
     "How did her missiles get them before they got her?" he asked
looking directly at Athena's dark blue eyes.
     "Well she had help," she said to him carefully watching his facial
expression.
     "My wing mate I'll bet," he said and cracked a smile.  "I wish I
could have been there."  Then a look of alarm passed over to him.  "Did
she disappear too?"
     "NO! NO, she didn't," Athena quickly assured him.
     "Then where is she?" he asked in alarm.
     "Sheba was wounded in the fight after your ground assault.  She is
expected to make a full recovery.  As you are."
     "Athena, thanks for the update.  Apollo hasn't made it over here
yet," Bojay said as the next wave of sedatives took over his body.
     Athena stood there for how long she didn't know. She was remembering
Bojay from three yahrens ago.  Young, brash warrior like Starbuck yet
different.  He was more serious than Starbuck and always stood apart from
the other Blue squadron pilots.  Athena carefully stepped back and went
down to the right she saw Sheba sleeping and her brother watching her. 
She couldn't read the expression on his face.
     Cassie came over to Athena and said, "He's been here checking on her
until she woke up and now she's out again he's still here."
     "I'll get him to go."  Athena replied.  "He's probably reliving
Serina again."
     Athena walked up to where Apollo was and said, "Bojay has been
briefed."  She didn't get any farther because Apollo jumped at the sound
of her voice and almost knocked her over.
     "Athena, I'm sorry I didn't hear you coming behind me."  Apollo said
apologetically.
     Athena tried to read his face and went on to speak again. " I said
Bojay was briefed on the past sixteen centars events."  Athena looked at
Sheba and saw the dark circles under her eyes and watched her labored
breathing.
     "Sheba is tough like her father and will survive."
     "Let's get Boxey and get something in your stomach."  Athena gently
headed her brother out the door.
     When Dr. Salik stopped them.  He looked as worn out as some of his
wounded.  "Captain, those two will be here another 24 centars due to the
last fight with the cylons.  They got bumped around a bit," Dr. Salik
stated on the way out.  Apollo and Athena stopped to talk to Salik.  "I
am also recommending physical rehabilitation for both.  They should be
fit for combat in 72 centars."  He finished and waited for a response.
     "Thank you for the report, if there is any change let me know
please," Apollo replied and left with Athena.  They picked up Boxey who
was elated to see his father. While they ate Athena noticed there was a
lag in the conversation, Apollo's mind wandered.  She hoped that he would
snap out of it.  He was just barely out of his depression after Serena
died.


     The next early cycle, Cassie came in to the life station to see
Bojay awake and alert.  She said hello and went about checking his
overnight reading and notes from the previous cycle. Then came for pain
assessment.  She leaned towards him to look at current vitals and asked.
Bojay to remain quiet until she finished with the vitals.  She asked,
"How is you pain level now?"
      "A lot less than on that base.  Where's Sheba?" his voice croaked
out.  He looked at Cassie to see if her eyes where troubled, but he
couldn't see any sign of it in the blonde med tech's face.
      "She's down that way to the left."  Cassie indicated with a wave of
a hand.  "You need a drink for your voice.  It's a side affect from the
pain inhibitors.  I'll be right back."  She said with a smile and went to
do that.
     Bojay waited until she was out of sight and sat up to look at his
leg.  It was encased in a pressure/medication cast that had one set of
tubes feeding to a small portable air compressor. The other tubes were
hooked to antibiotic and pain inhibitors portable pumps.   
     He grabbed a robe and put it on wincing all the way and dragged the
stand with him as he made his was to Sheba's area.  "I've got to see her
myself," he thought. "Cain asked me to look after her as if I was her
brother and by the lords I will."  He limped over to Sheba's area without
a soul to see him.  He locked on her face and saw she was out cold. 
"This is not going to do," he thought to himself.  He scanned the life
signs monitor and gave he a shake.  Nothing happened so he gave her a
real good shake and said as loud as he could muster, "SHEBA."
     Her eyes fluttered open and gazed over to the voice.  "Bojay, how is
your leg?" Sheba's voice strained to get out.  Her re-inflated lung was
still not at full capacity so spoke in short raspy breaths. "When can you
get back in a Viper?"
     "My leg is sore and stiff," he croaked out.  He swallowed trying to
talk.  "I haven't been told yet when I can get back my viper."  Just like
Cain, he thought. Wanting a full report. "What happened to you?" he
returned.
     "I lined up and missed a shot but that cylon didn't.  Apollo and
Starbuck guided me in to the Pegasus." She bit the inside of her cheek so
she wouldn't show her pain, but her breathing gave it away.  "They don't
have any communication from the Pegasus."  She strained further and said,
"Any of Silver Spar or Bronze Wing here?" she asked.  The emotion on her
face was evident.
      "None that I've been able to hear about."  His voice was getting
better.  " I'm going to scope it out and I'll let you know ASAP."
     Sheba pressed on even though her re-inflated lung was burning. 
"Bojay, please find out whom else was considered non essential personnel. 
I have a feeling not many willingly left Pegasus."  Her voice was forced
as if every last bit of energy was exerted to talk.
     Bojay could see this was draining her and said, "You know I will." 
Sheba's face drained of what color she had.  "Hey, you all right?!" he
said in alarm.
     As they were talking, Athena was on her way to the life station when
she spotted Apollo in front of her but he hadn't heard her behind him. 
She slowed her pace to see where he was headed this early.  Sure enough
it was the same place as her, the life station.
     Cassie greeted them with a drink in hand. "Hello Apollo.  Oh, hi
Athena."  Apollo was startled to see his sister.  Cassie continued
talking.  "Bojay is awake and able to talk somewhat."
     Athena's eyes blinked.  "When I talked to him last cycle, his voice
was raspy," Athena said in concern.
     "Oh, it's the side affects from the pain killers.  He should be fine
as soon as he drinks this," Cassie replied,.motioning to the drink in her
hand.
     Apollo had been silent and then asked, "How is Lt. Sheba and where
is Dr. Salik?" Concern was evident in his voice.
     "Dr. Salik stayed with them until the beginning of this cycle. He
just left after he briefed me.  He'll be back shortly." Cassie informed
Apollo. "I better get this to Bojay.  He's got to be wondering where his
drink is."
     They followed Cassie over to the life pod and there was no Bojay. 
"He was here a micron ago.  He asked for Sheba. I bet he's there."
     Apollo frowned and turned to go to Sheba's area.   
     Athena spoke up and said, "Should he be up this soon?" She didn't
think so but she wasn't a med tech.  They went to see Sheba when the
warning chime sounded.  Bojay was frantically motioning them over.  They
reached the pod and Cassie went in to action.  She read the monitors and
Salik came running in.
     "What's her heart pressure reading!" Dr. Salik said as he came in
the area.  As Cassie assisted Salik, Bojay's face was ashen watching them
look over her.
     Sheba forced out, "Remember what he said, Bojay.  At all cost." 
Sheba's vital signs dipped down.
     Athena was watching both him and Apollo and said, "Come on, Apollo,
let's get him back before we have another one!"  Apollo turned to help
but Athena could see he was torn between the two.
     Two life station techs came up and assisted them to Bojay's life
pod.   Then Cassie said, "Got her stabilized again."
     Dr. Salik replied, "It appears her head rest moved and caused
circulation to be slowed down to her head."  Cassie just watched as the
color returned to Sheba's face.  "Cassie, let's keep this off her life
pod for awhile.  I'll adjust her treatment accordingly."
     As Bojay was being helped in to his life pod, Apollo asked, "What
did she mean by that?"
     Athena was watching Bojay's face for some inkling of emotion which
was etched in pain. As she looked at her brother to see what his facial
expression was to match the tenseness in his voice, she saw anger and she
wasn't sure why. 
     Bojay was getting his pain under control and staying cool and
collected.  Commander Cain swore him to secrecy and, by the Lords, he
wasn't going to let him or Sheba down.
     "And just what is that?!"  Apollo answered sharply.  His hands were
starting to come up to his hips with an aggressive stance.
     Bojay thought back to what his wing mate said at a pyramid game they
were partners at,  "Smile even if you're losing your last cubit.  It puts
them off balance and confuses the Hades out of them."  Bojay did just
that even though he was in pain. "Just the standard off loading orders,"
he said with the best smile he could muster.
     The med techs hooked his life pod up to the main line and one said, 
"Lieutenant, we'll know the next time you take a hike."  They turned and
walked away to care for the others. "This is going to get way to hostile
for me!" said the other.
     Apollo was about to question Bojay further, but Bojay timed it just
right when he went on further to say, "The same words Commander Adama
would say to any of his crew if he sent wounded and non essential
personnel to another battlestar."
     Apollo cut in and said in exasperation," Which is!?"
     Bojay took a deep breath that was painful as if it was his lung that
was collapsed and not Sheba's. "Your orders along with your mission have
changed.  You are to serve and assist Commander Adama in the fleet's
quest to find Earth and protect the fleet."  Bojay pressed on and
finished with, "At ANY and at ALL cost."  He looked Apollo dead straight
in the eye. "That was his last word to us as they sedated us to get us
off the Pegasus."
     Athena felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up and a shiver
go down her spine.  She was about to break the tension when Dr. Salik
came over with Cassie and said, "Enough already!  He needs his rest."
     Athena could FEEL Bojay 's pain.  "Apollo, let's go.  We're not
helping them."  She put her hand on his left fore arm and more or less
pushed him out of there.  Apollo was fuming about something but Athena
figure out what.  So she pressed him as they stepped out in to the
corridor and said, "What's going on with you?!"
     Apollo looked away kind of flustered and answered, "I just do not
want to start off with Cain's own agenda on the Galactica."  What is the
matter with me he thought?  Why am I going off like this?
     Athena looked at her brother and said, "We have ALL been through a
lot.  Maybe we can get a break from this tension and relax.  Col. Tigh is
allowing the top five percent to have a break."
     "Starbuck and I aren't on the list yet so have a good time.  I know
for sure Boomer is going to along with Jolly."  Apollo felt the tension
start to leave his body.  That's better he thought.  Back to whatever
normal is.  "Have a good time."
     "Oh I will,"Athena bantered back as she parted ways.  "I'm going to
take Boxey with me. And play every game possible." She smiled.
     Apollo smiled back and said, "Thanks, I wish I could be doing that."

     Athena said, "Your name will be up there before you know it."  And
they parted ways.  One thing Athena did know it was as if Cain was right
there in the room, when Bojay recited the orders.
     As Athena went though her work cycle and mentally planned her and
Boxey's time together, her thoughts drifted back to the exchange between
Bojay and Apollo.  She couldn't find anything wrong or unprofessional
with what Bojay said or how he said it.  He had been smiling even though
she knew he was in pain.  How like a warrior not to show another that
they're not a 100 percent fit.  What Apollo said wasn't right and some
one should apologize.  Who am I fooling?  You know I better do it before
Apollo makes more of mess than it is.  Her time to go came and made a
quick stop to the life station.
     Cassie was at the desk and greeted Athena.  "Is okay to visit them?"
Athena asked. 
     "Just as long as Apollo isn't with you.  What's up with the
attitude?" Cassie quipped as she entered data in to the Galactica's
medical records.
     "I guess it just the stress of the whole mission."  she answered.
     Cassie looked her in the eye and said, "Maybe."
     Athena decided to move on and said, "I'll catch up later, Cassie,"
and moved on to Bojay's area.  He was up and dressed sitting on the life
pod.  She looked stunned and exclaimed, "What are you doing up and
dressed?"
     "The marvels of some great therapy and rest."  Bojay smiled  "Just
waiting for my release and off to what ever billet they assign me to."  
He thought what brought her here now?
     Athena swallowed and said, "Bojay, I want to apologize for earlier."
There she said it.  Bojay just looked at here as if she had sprouted some
thing in a different language.   "I don't know what's going on with my
brother but hopefully things will get back to an even keel."
     "Oh that!  Don't apologize for him.  I was in Blue squadron before
and one thing he doesn't do is apologize because he always right."
     Athena just busted out and laughed.
     "So what have you been up to these days?" Bojay asked her.
     Just then Sheba walked up, dressed and ready to go.  "Hi," she
simply said.
     "You're up and ready too?"  Athena was clearly amazed.
     "You better believe it.  Dr. Salik says we are combat fit and ready
to go."  Sheba smiled and finished not a moment too soon.
     Lt Jolly walked over and said, "Bojay, you about ready to go?"
     Bojay looked at Jolly and said, "Go where?"
     Jolly looked taken back for a micron and said, "To your new billet."
     "Yeah, Jolly we have just been released."
     Jolly got a panicked look on his face and spluttered, "Oh, Lt., the
Captain didn't say anything about you and I don't think it would be
proper for myself to escort you over to the women's barracks."  Jolly's
face was as red as the stripes on a viper.
     So Athena jumped in and said, "That's okay Jolly, he probably didn't
expect both of them to be ready.  I'll bring Sheba to her billet." 
Athena bit the insides of her cheeks from laughing at Jolly predicament.
     "Oh, thank you Athena, thank you.  That would be much better."
     As the two women watched Jolly and Bojay exit the life station,
Athena and Sheba succumbed to peals of laughter.  Athena and Sheba had to
wipe tears form their eyes.
     "It's good to laugh again."  Sheba said.
     "I'll second that." Athena sobered and said, "So are you ready?"
     Sheba took up on the asked part of the question.  "As ready as I'm
going to be."   They stopped by Cassie to say good-bye.  She was frowning
at her screen and said, "Where are they?"
     "Where are who?" Athena asked.
     Cassie was startled and said, "Oh it's you two.  Leaving already?"
     Sheba smiled and said, "Yes! And Dr. Salik is probably saying Good
Riddance and don't come back anytime soon."  They all laughed.  Then
Sheba said, "What were you looking for?"
     "I know I transferred all of the medical data of the Pegasus
personnel that came here.  I found everyone's but  Bojay and Sheba's.  I
don't get this at all."  Cassie was totally perplexed.
     "Well, we aren't going far if you need us, Cassie."  Sheba said
smoothly.  "There wasn't much at all there."
     Athena said, "We've got to go.  See you later."
     Cassie didn't look back up and absently said, "Okay."
     When they arrived at the barracks Athena showed her around and said,
"I hate to do this but I've got to go."
     Sheba smiled and said, "You go and enjoy your time off.  I'll be
fine.  Now scoot."
     "All right, you don't have to tell me twice." Athena quipped and
left.
     Sheba slowly started to study her new home and it finally started to
sink in.  This was home now.

Original: June 6, 2004
Update: November 24, 2006