A/R REMIX: "Running Start"

Oct 10, 2012 11:28

Title: Running Start
Rating: T.
Original story: Making Strides
Original author:miabicicletta



“Just for your mom, Lieutenant,” Lee called, walking away from the pilot’s room.

When the hollers had died down, Narcho added, “I’ve seen your mom, Skulls - the Major could do worse.”

“Frak you,” Skulls replied.

“Did you see those pictures?” Hotdog asked. “Who would have ever thought that the President was, like, an athlete?”

Racetrack nodded in agreement. “Maybe some sissy sport, like badminton, but track? Damn.”

“Badminton is not sissy, you frakkers,” Skulls insisted. “It’s the national sport of Virgon.”

“Which is a gods-damn sissy planet,” Hot Dog declared. “Like your mom.”

Skulls slammed his tattered copy of the Aphrodite’s Treasures catalog down on the table. “Frak you, Costanza. Frak all of you.” He stormed out.

Hours later, Skulls was pounding the heavy bag in the gym when Kara walked in, a smug grin on her face.

“Want to go a round or two, Starbuck?”

She rolled her eyes. “You wish, McCall.”

He groaned. “In the ring, Thrace.” He paused, eyebrows raised. “Although...”

She turned to look at him. “Yeah... no. However,” she said, walking over to where he stood, “I need your help recruiting another runner for our morning laps.”

Skulls grinned. “The Major showed you the magazine.”

“Nope,” Kara replied. “The President herself did. Now, here’s my plan...”

**********

Bill and Laura sat curled up on the couch, sipping at a second drink. “So how’d you get into running?” Bill wondered.

“Mmm,” Laura began, feeling the slow burn of the alcohol. “Couple reasons, actually. One, by the time I was sixteen, there was a baby or toddler screaming at home nearly all the time, and I needed a reason to leave the house regularly.”

Bill laughed. He could well imagine. “And two?”

Laura smirked into her glass. “There was a very cute Senior on the track team.”

The comment was met with a deep laugh. “I knew it.”

“Yeah, well, it turned out I was pretty good at it - better than the Senior, anyway.” Laura smiled. “It’s actually why I went to UC - the track coach was very persuasive.” The smile faded, and she trailed off, lost in thought.

“Something wrong?”

Laura shook her head. “No. I just - Even after all this time, I still find it hard to believe that everything and everyone is gone.”

“Yeah,” Bill agreed.

“Anyway, enough dwelling on the past,” Laura resolved, straightening up on the couch.

Bill started to speak, but was cut off by a knock at the hatch. He opened it to find a nervous looking Ensign. “Captain Thrace asked me to bring this to you, Sir.”

Bill took the package. “Thank you. Dismissed.”

“Yes, Sir,” the young man said, nearly knocking over the guards as he bolted down the corridor.

Laura was chuckling as Bill returned to the couch. “Wonder what Starbuck said to make him that nervous.”

“I doubt she had to say anything,” Bill laughed. He opened the lid of the box. “Looks like Kara took a page from your old coach,” he said, grinning.

“Well, I’ll...” Laura gaped as he handed her tanks, shorts, socks and running shoes.

“There’s a note, too,” Bill said. “0600. Port Hangar Bay. 10 cubits says you can’t beat me. Ma’am.”

Laura shook her head. “Well, who am I to turn down an invitation like that? I guess I’ll be back over here early.” She looked up, her eyes twinkling.

“Madam President,” Bill began, earnestly. “It would be foolish to waste the fuel to shuttle you back only to have you return in a few hours. For the good of the Fleet, I believe you should remain on Galactica tonight.”

“The good of the Fleet,” Laura repeated, smiling. “That’s very important, Admiral. Thank you for your concern.” She took a sip. “And did you have an opinion on just where I should stay? Hmm?”

“Our guest quarters section is currently under repair, so I suppose this would be the most secure place,” he answered.

Laura nodded slowly. “Secure. Yes. I’ll let Tory know.” Setting her drink down, she approached him slowly, stopping when her face was only inches from his. “Tomorrow’s going to be a long day, - I think it’s about time we turned in, don’t you?”

Bill could not suppress the grin that spread over his face. “After you, Madam President, after you.”

fanfiction, ar remix

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