Title: Partners From the Archives of the Cutting Room Floor Author: Twin Goddess Summary: A lost scene from "Lost Planet of the Gods." Disclaimer: Seeing as Glen Larson owns these characters, I wonder if he is in the market to adopt a couple of gorgeous broads so they don't have to work anymore. WE CRAVE FEEDBACK!!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~ The corridor was quiet, eerily quiet. Gone was the boisterous activity that normally filled the halls near the launch bays. Pre- and post- patrol banter that could typically be heard throughout the day had been replaced by silence. While Apollo often times found himself searching for peace and quiet, he would gladly welcome the sounds of launching vipers and inter-squadron bragging. But he would not here those sounds today. Nor tomorrow. As Apollo approached the bridge he knew he had to start accepting the fact that he may never hear those voices again. He would hear the sound of vipers soon enough but the faces piloting them would be different. And all too familiar. Apollo had not been able to remove the knot in his stomach since Commander Adama and Colonel Tigh had decided to have shuttle pilots train as viper pilots to replace the squadrons that were currently in life pods in the Life Center. Everything had happened so fast the past few sectons... sometimes he wondered if it had all been a dream. Zac's death, the destruction of the Colonies, meeting and becoming engaged to Serina... and now having to train her to fly a viper and face death as he did everyday. The knot twisted tighter, almost causing Apollo to double over. The thought of her in the middle of a Cylon raid sent shivers down his spine. But there was nothing he could do about it. The other pilots were clinging to life, battling an enemy they couldn't see and Dr. Salik couldn't fight alone. The fleet was unprotected and this group of shuttle pilots was the only hope for a defense against a Cylon attack that could happen at any time. Apollo entered the bridge and saw many of the faces he had become familiar with there. Omega, Rigel.... they were all at their posts. One face was missing though. At the tactical station sat a red-haired Ensign that Apollo had only seen recently since the usual officer at that post was now also training in a viper. Apollo knew that it had been an excruciating decision for his father to put Athena in a viper after Zac's death. He had tried to think of an alternative but, with the life pods filling up, there had truly been no other choice. And Apollo knew that Athena was hiding her enthusiasm from them as she was finally getting her wish to get back out amongst the stars. Apollo had to admit that he was a bit less worried about Athena than the other new pilots. She had previous viper experience and, while rusty, it wouldn't take long for her to get back in the groove. Besides, it was in her blood. His thoughts were interrupted by the deep voice that was currently in command of the bridge. "Apollo," Colonel Tigh greeted the dark-haired Captain. "You wanted to see me sir?" Apollo asked graciously. "I did," Tigh replied and motioned to the War Room where they could talk in private. As Apollo walked towards the door, he wondered what was prompting such privacy. It was rare that Tigh, or Adama for that matter, felt the need to shield a conversation from the rest of the bridge crew. As if reading Apollo's thoughts, Tigh offered, "I wanted to talk in here because I know that you have a personal stake in what's going on and I felt you would be more comfortable talking about it away from the crew." "What exactly are we talking about Colonel?" Apollo attempted to remain professional despite Tigh's subtle invitation to be at ease. "How are the new pilots coming along?" Tigh cut straight to the point. "Just fine," Apollo replied flatly. "Within a few sectons they should be ready to take on any Cylon attack squadron." "We don't have a few sectons Apollo," Tigh reminded. "I'm aware of that sir but I would be lying if I told you that they couldn't use a lot more training before being sent out," Apollo admitted truthfully. Tigh let out a deep breath. "Do you think they bond well as a group?" he asked, walking towards the large portal. "Definitely," Apollo declared with enthusiasm. "Most of them have flown together as shuttle pilots and they know each other as friends." Tigh nodded his head as he looked out at the fleet. 'So pairing them up as wingmates shouldn't present a problem," a statement more than an inquiry. "Not one that I see," Apollo responded, his expression questioning what Tigh was getting at. Tigh's body was becoming visibly tense, more so than usual. "You were planning on taking a different wingmate for the duration of this... crisis?" Apollo's eyes widened and his jaw stiffened. 'So that's what this is all about' he thought. "Actually sir, I hadn't really thought about it," he feigned. Not wanting to play games, Tigh immediately turned to face the Commander's son. "Apollo, it's only natural that you would want to be by Serina's side while she's out there." "Colonel, I am not going to allow my personal feelings..." Apollo attempted a defense. "I wouldn't have it any other way Captain!" Tigh interrupted sternly, then calmly continued. "Look, right now you and Starbuck are the only two experienced pilots we have. I didn't know how to put this but... I don't want the two of you flying together while the new pilots are still in training mode. You need to split the experience." Apollo nodded. "Yes sir, that makes sense." "And," Tigh looked at Apollo with all sincerity, "I fully expect for you to choose Serina as your wingmate. You'd be a fool not to." Apollo smirked. "Only because I'd never hear the end of it if I didn't." Tigh returned the grin. "If for no other reason..." The two men shared a rare moment as they silently acknowledged the personal ramifications if Apollo chose a different wingman. Certainly Serina would understand if he chose Athena instead but Apollo knew that pairing with his other sibling would only cause their father undue grief. A more serious thought entering his mind, Tigh observed, "I realize that Lieutenant Starbuck might not like the idea but..." "I'll take care of Lieutenant Starbuck, Colonel, don't you worry," Apollo remarked confidently. He knew that indeed Starbuck would not be happy about losing his wingman of many yahrens and being assigned a green underling, but there was really no choice in the matter. There had been many adjustments to make over the past few sectons, one more wouldn't kill his best friend. At least he hoped not. "Well then," Tigh declared, "I suggest you make the transition soon. We need to return to our regular patrol schedule as soon as possible." "Yes sir," Apollo acknowledged and left the War Room. As he exited the bridge, Apollo decided that now was as good a time as any to break the news to his best friend. He headed back towards the launch bay knowing that he would find Starbuck there. The next training session wasn't to start for another three centars but, with many of the viper techs sick as well, Starbuck had been conducting regular checks on all the vipers in their absence. Apollo entered the bay and found Starbuck in the cockpit of what was to be Serina's viper. He was glad to see his friend taking meticulous care in preparing the craft. Apollo had planned on doing the final check himself but was more confident that Starbuck would have a clearer head to catch something if it was out of sync. "Starbuck," Apollo called up to his now previous wingman. "Hey Apollo," Starbuck greeted him with surprise. "What are you doing here? I figured you and Serina would be making plans for the ceremony." Apollo shook his head and smirked. "Nah, she and Athena are plotting that event." Starbuck laughed as he did one more check on the controls. "Leave it to your sister to make things interesting," he declared with a smile. "Yeah," Apollo acknowledged with nervous grin. "I'm just wondering _how_ interesting." "Well we'll soon find out won't we?" Starbuck observed as he climbed down from the viper. He himself had some reservations about the impending nuptials. While he was very happy for his best friend, he also realized that he would not be seeing as much of Apollo during their free time. He just hoped that he wouldn't look depressed at Apollo's sealing. Starbuck wasn't much for fancy ceremonies. And the thought that Athena would be standing opposite him made it even more nerve-wracking. He would be standing for Apollo and she would be standing for Serina. The implications were obvious but Starbuck knew that he couldn't let his feelings for Apollo' sister surface again. It had been too painful for him to decide that they just couldn't be together right now. That didn't mean he had ruled it out for the future but, with Apollo taking the plunge, it made it all that more difficult to remain focused. Apollo let out a deep breath and stared Starbuck square. "We need to talk," he said solemnly. "Aah, do I even want to know?" Starbuck groaned. "Believe me," Apollo put a hand on his friends shoulder, "I don't like having to do this." "This is about flying together isn't it?" Starbuck had known that this would eventually happen. Apollo was surprised by Starbuck's perception. Most of the time he figured that Starbuck's mind was in the present with nary a regard for the future. "Unfortunately, it is buddy," Apollo acknowledged, a sad expression coming over his face. Starbuck sighed. "Ah well, we knew the fun couldn't last forever," he smiled, trying hide his own sorrow at this most recent setback, part of a chain of events that had rocked his world of late. "So I guess you'll be partners twenty-four centars a day now huh?" Starbuck continued, obviously referring to Serina. Apollo suddenly turned and walked away from the viper that gave him chills. "I don't know what to do Starbuck," he sighed in exasperation. "If I fly _with_ her, I risk not paying attention and jeopardizing both of us. If I _don't_ fly with her, I'll be in a panic every time she goes out on patrol." Starbuck cleared his throat. "Apollo, if you don't choose her as your wingman... the honeymoon will be over _real_ fast. Apollo turned back around to see his friend with a smirk on his face and a knowing look in his eye. He couldn't help but break a grin of his own. "Starbuck, that's _not_ what I was thinking about." "Yeah well, you should," Starbuck chuckled. Apollo just shook his head but couldn't wipe the ear-to-ear smile from his face. He knew that Starbuck was right and was more than certain that Serina had already thought this scenario through. "So what about me partner? Oh, excuse me! _Ex_ partner," Starbuck jabbed. "Who is my new victim?" Apollo once again turned away from Starbuck. He'd been pondering just that question when he had left the War Room. Some of the new pilots were better than others but he wasn't sure whether it would be more beneficial for Starbuck to be with someone on the edge of going solo or someone who still needed a lot of guidance. Apollo owed it to his friend to choose someone that wouldn't endanger his life. Above all, it had to be someone that Starbuck trusted. "I don't think I'm going to choose someone for you Starbuck," Apollo finally decided. He walked back towards the blond Lieutenant who now had a very confused look on his face. "Honestly, I'm pretty much stuck with my new wingman," Apollo explained. "But with everything we've been through, I think you deserve to make your own choice." Starbuck's mood shifted and he looked down at the floor. He hated this. Every centon of this. Apollo, realizing his friend's discontent, placed both hand on his shoulders forcing Starbuck to look up at him. "I know that none of this has been easy," Apollo commiserated. "But these new pilots are our only hope of getting through this. Believe me, I want nothing more than for Boomer and Jolly and the rest of the other pilots to get out of those life pods and back into the cockpits but until that happens... our survival depends on this." Starbuck acknowledged with a nod. "Well, I appreciate you allowing me to choose my new partner," he said with a seriousness that Apollo did not see often. "Like I said," Apollo repeated, "you've earned that right. "But make your decision soon," he added as he prepared to go find his fiance. "I'm going to go tell Serina now and I need to know who you choose before the next training session so I can pair the rest of the squadron." "I'll let you know within the next centar," Starbuck declared, not wanting to make a career out of choosing his next wingman. Apollo nodded and left the launch bay, leaving Starbuck alone to contemplate his choices. 'How do you replace someone like Apollo?' Starbuck thought, pulling over a supply case and sitting down. 'No matter where we were, what the situation, I knew that he was always there watching my back. We didn't even have to speak while we were on patrol. We know each other well enough to know when the other needs the quiet of space to think. During a Cylon attack, I always know I can count on him. Who am I going to find that I can trust that much?" Starbuck ran a hand through his blond hair. No sooner did an obvious answer pop into his head, the face to match walked into the bay. She didn't notice him at first. She appeared to be looking for something, or someone, in particular. 'What are you thinking Bucko?! This can't work!' Starbuck struggled with his decision. 'Your relationship hasn't been the same for sectons. She already _pretended_ to accidentally blast you out of the sky during flight simulation. Luckily, the other girls didn't know any better. Of course Apollo got a good laugh out of it.' Starbuck looked up and smiled as Athena finally saw him and returned the smile. As she walked towards him, his heart began to beat faster. "Ya know the next training session isn't for a couple more centars," he started casually. "Yes I know," she acknowledged. "Believe me, I look forward to the breaks away from this bay lately," she teased. "But I was looking for Apollo. Have you seen him?" "Actually you just missed him," Starbuck replied. "He went to go find Serina." "I just left her," Athena chuckled. "And how are the sealing plans coming along? Is it going to be the crowning event of the yahren?" Starbuck asked. "I wish," Athena sighed, admitting that the Cylons already had that trophy. "Honestly, it's going to be nice and simple. Very romantic," she answered, her blue eyes twinkling with her last remark. "Good, I think I could handle something _low key_ at this point," he observed. "I hear ya," she agreed, suddenly looking a bit tired. "Well I imagine that Apollo has found Serina and they probably want to be alone so I guess I'll talk to him later," she said as she turned to leave. "Wait!" Starbuck stopped her, rising from his seated position. "I uh... needed to talk to you." Athena shifted a bit. "Look, if it's about the simulation earlier... I'm sorry," she smirked. "It was just too easy and I couldn't resist." Starbuck actually found the whole thing amusing now but he didn't want to show it. "No, it's uh... not about that." Athena twisted her face slightly. "So what then?" "Right now Apollo is telling Serina that they are going to be wingmates," Starbuck stated flatly. "Oh," Athena feigned surprise, walking over to the viper next to Starbuck. "I see. And you apparently aren't too happy about it." "Well, I'm not doing cartwheels or anything but it makes sense to split the viper experience and she's the obvious choice to be his new partner," he explained, albeit with a bitter taste. Athena had just had this very conversation with Serina in her quarters. She was smart enough to know that this decision was inevitable. There was no way that Tigh would allow Apollo and Starbuck to continue flying together when their knowledge needed to be dispersed amongst the new pilots. Serina had been concerned that Apollo might not want her as his wingman. But Athena knew better, which was why she was stifling a smile now knowing that Apollo was telling his future wife the contrary. She knew that Starbuck was upset though and with good reason. He and her brother had been wingmates for yahrens and it would be a difficult transition for both of them. "So what did you want to talk to _me_ about?" she turned and leaned back on the viper, her arms behind her in a coy pose. Her demeanor was irresistible and Starbuck realized how much he missed her. He walked over to the viper and rested his hand on it just above her shoulder, leaning in close. "You probably have a pretty good idea," he remarked, his eyes speaking volumes. "Do I," she replied, a grin breaking through. Playing the game was so much fun. "I need a new partner," his tone became more serious. "Someone I can trust." His eyes pierced through her and his body was suddenly giving off a lot of heat. Athena felt herself begin to melt beneath his gaze and she realized how glad she was that her hands were behind her back. 'I'll be damned if I'm going to let him know that he still does this to me,' she insisted to herself. "Starbuck," she locked her eyes on his and let his name roll off her tongue, "Are you asking me to be your wingman?" He could tell that she was playing with him now. He guessed that she had known all along that he would ask her. He laughed inside while keeping his expression serious. He had taught her how to play the game and she was very close to surpassing him. But not close enough. "If you think you could handle it," he returned, teasing her with his voice. "I love a challenge," she purred. Their lips only inches apart, Starbuck had to fight the urge to grab her and kiss her. He so missed the suggestive banter they had always engaged in and this last repartee had only increased his longing. Sensing they were treading on dangerous ground, Athena decided that it was best not to start their new partnership by getting re-involved romantically. Although, the thoughts were definitely in her mind. Just as it appeared that Starbuck was moving in closer, Athena pulled a hand out from behind her back and extended it. "Partners?" 'Damn, she's good,' he acknowledged with a smile. He knew that this might mean some very long patrols and some equally long cold turbo showers, but he was happy that she was now back in his life in some form. He took his hand off the viper behind her and shook her's in agreement. "Partners." The End