Title: A Working Relationship Author: Lauralee Category: Vignette Rating: PG Date: 1998 Author's Notes;Summary: A small vignette within my At the World's End alternate universe. At the end of the ATWE1 Apollo has been promoted and Starbuck teamed with Athena. This vignette takes place approximately one yahren after that story ends (i.e., after the end of The Living Legend eps, this is therefore after HOG; which ending hasn't been posted yet, but I'm working on it!!). This will eventually be revised and worked into a larger story. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Captain Starbuck stood at the back of the ready room listening to Lieutenant Colonel Apollo's briefing, his wingmate, Lieutenant Athena sitting in front of him. Their ragtag Fleet was poised to enter a new planetary system and the Warriors were going to be performing advance reconnaissance. While Apollo issued standard instructions Starbuck let his mind wander to the new pyramid system he was devising. He and his wingmate had already studied to star maps and long range scans and he knew that Athena would let him know if there was actually anything being communicated that he needed to hear. He laughed to himself. His wingmate always managed to look like she was paying attention, but sometimes Starbuck suspected it was merely a ruse to make up for his obvious inattention. Starbuck mused. Starbuck suddenly felt his musings interrupted by a pinch to his calf. "At least keep your eyes open!" his wingmate hissed at him. Starbuck hadn't even realized his eyes were closed. "Sorry, did he notice?" he whispered back trying to see if Apollo was looking his way. "Yes, and who do you think is going to be tortured about it?" Athena warned him. Starbuck thought to himself. Every time Athena was dressed down for "letting" her wingmate do something reckless she made sure that Starbuck shared in the misery. Starbuck smiled to himself remembering the last time that had happened. "Your brother, as well as our esteemed Squadron Leader Boomer, are hypocrites you know. When they aren't going along with me themselves, they certainly can't stop me!" Starbuck had told her. "No kidding, but Apollo doesn't want anyone to think he's playing favorites now that he oversees all the squadrons," Athena reminded him. "At least stop being so obvious that they are forced to do something. And stop talking during briefings or he's going embarrass us again!" Athena referring to the time Apollo stopped his briefing and waited for them to stop whispering amongst themselves, as if they were still children in basic school! Starbuck smirked at the memory. He didn't know which was more fun, forcing his best friend and former wingmate to scold him or riling up his wingmate. Starbuck had known her since she was as reckless and emotional as him. Her recently developed stoicism never ceased to be a source of amusement for him and he did his best to break through her serious facade, whether it be a look of exasperation or a smile. "And that wraps it up. There is time for one non-altering drink in the Officer's Club before the mission," Lieutenant Colonel Apollo finished up his briefing and left the room. "This could be a one way mission Lieutenant, you have any last requests?" Starbuck leered at his wingmate. Athena rolled her eyes. "I won't even tell your girlfriend you said that," she shot back and proceeded out the door ahead of him, secure in the knowledge she had effectively pointed out that when it came to flirting, Starbuck was all talk. ---- Officer's Club "Sheba!" Athena walked over at her brother's fiancée. "I thought you were out on patrol? Is everything all right?" Sheba nodded. "Apollo changed the roster to give some cadets flying time before we entered the new system. He wants only experienced pilots on duty for as long as he can manage it," the young woman explained. "So how did you get out of the briefing?" Athena asked. "I had to make sure my cadets were doing okay out on patrol, didn't I?" Sheba questioned innocently. "Just made it here for a drink before we blast off." Athena squinted at her friend, she didn't believe that excuse for a centon. Truth was Athena was jealous. She would give anything to get out of another pre-mission briefing with Starbuck. She truly believed they were only held to give Starbuck another chance to needle her. "Whatever, Sheba." "Don't be too jealous Athena, Apollo made sure that I got my briefing earlier." "You've chosen to become related to the man Sheba, don't complain if all he does in your private time is discuss work," Athena deadpanned. "I can't believe how much things have changed over the past sectars," Athena said with a wistful look. "What has changed? That you're a top viper pilot? That you're teamed with Starbuck, your old flame? That Jolly and Rigel are an item? That you and Bojay are, finally, an item? That we finally have seemed to have shaken the Cylons off our trail? Or that I'm to be sealed with your brother? Now that you mention it, things have really changed!" Sheba laughed at her latent epiphany. "I'm not sure what I mean. All those things but not anything in particular either. But for the record, the only thing that surprises me about you and Apollo is that my brother finally worked up the courage to admit how he felt about you," Athena shrugged. "I've always thought you two had a secret attraction to each other, even when we were kids. Me being teamed with Starbuck is scary though. I think Tigh thought it was the best way for me not to kill him, I have to rely on him." "Hey," Starbuck leaned over and whispered in Athena's ear. "Don't take my name in vain Lieutenant." Athena moved her head away and turned to look him in the eyes with an impassive stare. "I thought your name was Vain?" she quipped. Starbuck threw his head back and laughed. "Your point," he conceded. "But I'll get you next!" he promised before he walked away. Athena watched her wingmate walk over to her brother who had just entered the room. She turned back and caught the look on Sheba's face. "What?" she asked. "I don't get you two," Sheba shook her head. "What's to get? We're wingmates and friends," Athena shrugged. "I mean the way he gets in your personal space and makes suggestive comments. It's a little weird considering you two were once romantically involved." "He just does it to get a rise out of me and because he knows that I won't take it seriously," Athena dismissed her friend's observations. "You don't let anyone else into your personal space like that, and it bothers Cassi," Sheba pointed out before letting the subject drop. She really didn't feel like ruining their last centar before the mission analyzing why Cassi had suddenly developed a jealously of Starbuck's relationship with Athena. Athena was well aware of the situation but wisely chose to stay out of it. Sheba's appearing to blame Athena wouldn't help Starbuck and Cassi's relationship and could possibly damage Starbuck and Athena's synergy and endanger their lives. "Things seem to be working out smoothly with Bojay. He doesn't say much even to me, but he seems happy." Athena blushed and smiled. "I can't believe it," she said breathlessly. "I was afraid that we wouldn't do well as a romantic couple. Some people don't make the transition well from platonic friends, but he...he makes me so happy." Athena consciously shifted back to her usual serious demeanor and turned and looked over at her wingmate. At the exact same moment, Starbuck turned and looked at her and gave a barely perceptible nod. Athena turned back to Sheba. "Starbuck and I are going to go check out our vipers and get ready for the mission. See you among the stars," Athena leaned over and hugged her friend. Starbuck walked over. "See you among the stars Sheba," he unknowingly mimicked his wingmate's previous words. Sheba gave her good-byes and headed over to her fiancée. Starbuck stood back and let Athena pass him out the door. He placed his hand on her lower back to guide her through the crowd as he sent boisterous good-byes and "good lucks" to his fellow pilots. Once outside the Club Athena paused her steps. "Starbuck, why don't you go say goodbye to Cassi and meet me at the launch bay," seeing Starbuck's pause she continued. "I want to see my Father before we head out." When Starbuck still didn't respond she reached out and placed her hand on his arm. "She won't stop being jealous of our business relationship if you avoid her," she said quietly. Starbuck nodded and looked down. He knew she was right. "I'll meet you at the launch bay," and he turned and headed down the corridor towards the Life Center and the confrontation he really wanted to avoid. The End (for now!)