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. <I
guess it's like those pre-Triad game pep talks?> Starbuck mused.  <More to
get us in the mood than tell us anything.>  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. 

        <Eventually me!>  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!)