Ficlet

Not military advice, advice on the military.

Right. That was the key to making his father accept Lee’s new position.

Lee was mentally constructing the conversation with his father when he collided with the President’s assistant in the corridor. The folder the man was carrying fell from his hands and papers fluttered around them.

“Sorry, sir,” the assistant muttered as he stooped to collect the mess, but he stepped back onto a sheet that made his foot slip and he lunged forward into Lee’s arms.

***

Billy saw Petty Officer Dualla again in the corridor and she ducked her head, failing to suppress her smile as they passed. His greeting died in his throat as he felt his face flush.

She still was laughing at him.

I like your hair.

He brought a shaking hand up to his forehead, rubbing nervously. This was ridiculous.

Yes, Madam President, you are correct. I know nothing about women. I’ve just been pretending, and failing miserably, I know, because I can’t exactly--

Billy was dazed to see he’d walked into Captain Adama.

-- throw myself at any man I run into. It’s a military ship!

“Sorry, sir,” Billy muttered as he stooped to collect the mess, but he stepped back onto a sheet that made his foot slip and he lunged forward into Lee’s arms.

Frack!

Billy closed his eyes and let himself just enjoy the briefest touch as his fingers clutched the captain’s uniform.

***

Despite the shower rationing that made everyone’s skin look and feel tacky from oil and grit, Lee was looking at pale unblemished skin. Except for the cherry red stain infusing the other man’s cheeks.

And those curls looked so soft and clean. He wanted to run his fingers through them and--

Lee pushed the other man upright and cleared his throat. “Are you alright, Mr… uh--”

“Keikeya. But you can call me Billy, sir.” Billy straightened, smoothing his jacket with a nervous hand as he clutched the folder in the other. “If there’s anything I can do for you--”

“Excuse me,” the President cut in from behind them.

***

Billy turned to see the President watching them with a curious expression and he felt his face warming further, for no reason. There. was. no. reason. She couldn’t know just because they were standing there.

“Madam President?” he prompted.

The President blinked, her eyes becoming carefully guarded again, and turned her attention to Captain Adama. “I was remiss earlier when I didn’t mention Billy. He would obviously be of better assistance to me with a full grasp of your military guidance as well.”

“Yes, sir,” the Captain replied.

She smiled. “Thank you,” she said to him before nodding to Billy and returning to her quarters.

Billy obediently followed, carefully watching his path so he didn’t trip over his own feet again.

Or if he was lucky, the floor would open up and he would be sucked into space.

***

“You missed this,” Lee called after Billy, picking up the errant sheet of paper.

Billy paused and turned back. “Thank you,” he replied, but he seemed to have grown roots, glancing in dismay at his feet.

Lee crossed the corridor and handed it to him. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

Billy blinked slowly and licked his lips several times. He looked like he was on some of the doc’s stimulants and he made Lee feel like he was too.

“Yes. Fine. Thank you.”

Lee wanted to point out he was wrinkling the paper crushed in his fist, but he didn’t. He didn’t wish Billy was squeezing him that hard either.

“I’ll be on patrol, if the President needs me.” If you want --

“Okay,” Billy replied. His eyes darted toward the President’s quarters and then back to Apollo. “H-how long do you patrol?”

“Three hours. And that’s your first lesson today.” Lee tried on a smile and hoped it didn’t look too crooked. It felt wrong, trying to seduce anyone during this nightmare, but he couldn’t help himself.

Billy returned the smile and Lee liked how it spread to his eyes before the blush overran his features again. “Uh, good luck, Captain.”

“It’s ‘good hunting’,” Lee corrected automatically. “We say ‘good hunting’.”

Billy laughed a little, hesitating a moment before looking at Apollo through long dark lashes. “Lesson two? Should I be taking notes?”

Lee felt something else besides a chuckle rumble in his chest. “Maybe.” He took a step back, but still held the other man’s gaze. “You know where to find me later. If you need anything.”

Billy swallowed hard and nodded before rushing to join the President.

Return to Shannon Marie's