If it weren't for the fact that Commander Adama happened to be his best
friend's father, Lt. Starbuck would have been apprehensive about the fact
that the Commander wanted to see him.  But since Adama was Apollo's
father, and had welcomed Starbuck as a member of his family, Starbuck
wasn't nervous at all. Well, maybe just a little. 

Starbuck took a deep breath and entered the Commander's office. He relaxed
a little when he saw that Apollo was already there. Colonel Tigh was also
present. Whatever this was about, it had to be important. 

Adama smiled when he saw Starbuck come in. He was fond of the young man,
considering him to be almost another son. Both Starbuck's friendship with
Apollo and his previous romantic relationship with Athena meant that he
saw quite a lot of the Lieutenant. He had been a bit sorry when Starbuck
and Athena had called off their engagement, but he had soon realized that
the two of them were not right for each other and a marriage would have
been a disaster, no matter how good their intentions might have been. He
knew that Starbuck was completely devoted to his son; he just wondered
when Apollo would realize it. 

Well, Apollo and Starbuck might see it differently, but Adama believed
that it was a father's prerogative to interfere sometimes. And this was
one of those times. He just had to be very careful and not let the two men
realize that he was interfering. At least not until he knew if his
interference had been successful. 

Adama stood and shook Starbuck's' hand. "Thank you for responding to my
summons so quickly, Starbuck," he said pleasantly. 

Starbuck smiled back and tried to act nonchalant. He knew he had no reason
to feel intimidated by the Commander, but he still was. Apollo had told
him to treat Adama as he would his own father, but Starbuck had never had
a father and he honestly didn't know how to do that. "I assumed it must be
important, Commander," he said, hoping he sounded respectful enough. 

"Yes, it is important. I have a job that I want you and Apollo to do for
me. The two of you are my best warriors, which is why I have chosen you
for this mission. Are you familiar with the Anubis club?" 

"No, sir," answered Starbuck.

"Me, either," said Apollo.

"Well, it is a bit exclusive. It's a private club that meets on the Rising
Star. They have their own lounge, they have music and dancing and most of
the usual entertainments that you would expect to find. However, there
have been some rumors that there is more to the club than just a social
aspect. We believe that there may be saboteurs in the club, some
dissidents who wish to overthrow the Council of Twelve and form their own
ruling council. What I want the two of you to do is apply for membership
in the Anubis club and do some investigating to see if you can get to the
bottom of these rumors." 

"Well, I can understand an exclusive club wanting Apollo to join, but I'm
no big deal around here. What makes you think they'd let me in?" Starbuck
asked. 

Adama tried to hide the grin that was threatening to show on his face.
"They prefer to admit members in pairs. Couples." 

"Well then, shouldn't you ask Sheba or one of the other women to be
Apollo's partner?" Starbuck still didn't understand the Commander's plan. 

"No, I think that I chose the right person for the job. They admit
same-sex couples as well as opposite-sex couples," Adama answered. 

Apollo's and Starbuck's jaws dropped at the same time.

"You want me and Starbuck to pretend to be - lovers?" Apollo asked, trying
to keep his voice in normal range. 

"Do you have a problem with that?" his father asked sternly. 

"Uh, no, of course not," Apollo answered hastily.

"Good," said the Commander. "Do you, Starbuck?"

"No, sir," Starbuck replied.

"Very well, then. Colonel Tigh, could you give Apollo and Starbuck the
information you prepared on the Anubis club?" 

Tigh briefed the two warriors with the information he had about the Anubis
club. He even had membership application forms for them. When they were
finally left alone, Apollo turned to his friend. 

"How do we do this?" he asked. "How do we act like a couple is supposed to
act?" 

"It can't be that hard. Act the same way you would with a woman," replied
the Lieutenant. 

"That won't work," sighed Apollo. "I'm used to taking care of women. You
know, being traditional, taking the lead. I don't think anyone would think
that you need to be taken care of." 

Starbuck laughed. "No offense, buddy, but I don't think that kind of
behavior would last long with Sheba. I don't see her needing anyone to
take care of her." 

The Captain looked confused. "Sheba? What makes you think I'd want to take
care of her?" 

"What, you and Sheba aren't an item?"

"No."

"Could've fooled me," said Starbuck. "So you really have no clue how to
act like we're lovers?" 

"Not a one."

Starbuck thought for a few centons. "Look, Apollo, you're my best friend.
I love you like a brother. That can't be so much different than loving you
the other way. Why don't we just act normal? I mean, I already touch you
all the time, and you me. For all I know maybe people think we *are*
lovers.  The only thing we haven't done is kissed each other. That
wouldn't be so bad, would it? I mean," he added hastily, "for the purposes
of our mission, it wouldn't be such a bad thing." 

"For the purposes of the mission, no, I guess it wouldn't be."

"Then I guess we have nothing to worry about ," commented Starbuck.

"I guess we don't," Apollo replied.

Starbuck thought that Apollo still looked kind of uncomfortable.
"Everything okay, buddy?" he asked. 

"Yeah, everything's fine. Let's get going."

Garbed in their dress uniforms, Starbuck and Apollo headed to the Rising
Star and the Anubis Club. Their applications were approved almost
instantly, and the two warriors were welcomed warmly. Starbuck figured
that Apollo's status as the son of Adama had a lot to do with that. Still,
he liked the idea of being Apollo's lover, even if it was only "pretend."
It meant he was free to touch Apollo in ways he'd never dared to before.
If the Captain wondered why Starbuck was touching him in such an intimate
way, he could claim it was all part of their cover. 

The two warriors found that there were definite perks to being members of
the Anubis club. The club had an ample store of good food and fine
ambrosa. They ate, drank, and danced. Starbuck had been afraid that Apollo
wouldn't dance with him, but the Captain apparently had no objections to
it. Even if it was only part of their cover, Starbuck would treasure every
moment he spent on the dance floor with his friend. 

His friend. How he wished that he could be more than just Apollo's
"friend."

Meanwhile, back on the Galactica, Tigh and Adama were sharing a drink in
the Commander's quarters. 

"So how do you think Apollo and Starbuck will react when they find out
they've been set up?"  Tigh asked. 

"I hope that they'll be happy, and forgive me for giving them a push,"
Adama replied. 

"Do you think Apollo will resent your interference?"

"I hope not," Adama said thoughtfully. "I know that if I were in his
position, I'd hope that someone interfered on my behalf." He smiled
knowingly at Tigh. "I am happy that neither of us needed much of a push to
get together." 

Tigh smiled back. "I think that when you get to be our age, you're a bit
more willing to take risks," he commented. 

"Considering that Starbuck and Apollo are both Colonial Warriors, one
would think that they're accustomed to taking risks," commented the
Commander. 

"There is a difference between taking risks with your physical safety and
taking risks with your heart and emotions," Tigh replied. "And given both
men's histories, I can't say I'm too surprised that they're cautious." He
took a sip of his drink. "So how did you find out about the Anubis club,
anyway?" 

"I was thinking that you and I could join, and I decided to let Apollo and
Starbuck check it out for me." 

"And what about the rumours of saboteurs?" asked Tigh.

"I made that part up," answered the Commander.

"You mean there's no one planning to overthrow the Council?"

"I certainly hope not," replied Adama.

Tigh grinned. "Adama, I am glad we're on the same side."

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Back at the Anubis club, Starbuck and Apollo were sitting at the bar when
an attractive man approached them. He introduced himself as Joran. "May I
have this dance, Lieutenant Starbuck?" he asked politely. 

Starbuck turned to Apollo. "Apollo, do you mind if I dance with Joran?" 

Apollo waved a hand dismissively. "Go ahead," he said. Starbuck patted his
shoulder and went to dance with Joran. 

While Starbuck and Joran were on the dance floor, a man and woman
introduced themselves to Apollo. "My name is Rohan, and this is my wife,
Shana," said the man. "I'm the president of the Anubis club and I'm in
charge of making new members feel welcome." 

"Thank you," said Apollo. "I'm Captain Apollo, and my ... lover Lieutenant
Starbuck is somewhere out on the dance floor." He scanned the crowd of
dancers for Starbuck. He told himself he had no reason to be jealous - he
and Starbuck were only pretending to be lovers. He had no claim on him.
But he still felt it, like a nagging pain in one corner of his mind. 

"So, do you have any questions about the club?" Rohan asked.

"Well, I was wondering, what exactly is the purpose of the club? I mean,
it seems like people here do what they do anywhere else on the Rising
Star." 

"I'm glad you asked, Captain," said Rohan cheerfully. "We started this
club as a place for couples to socialize with other couples - same sex
couples with opposite sex couples. It seems that in most cases, same sex
couples are rather isolated, and when they socialize it is only with
others who prefer those of their own sex. We wanted both types in this
club - those who prefer their own gender and those who prefer the opposite
- to try to break down some of the barriers that exist between us." 

"And do you have any political agenda?" asked Apollo.

"Political? Goodness, no! This is a social club. There is no place for
politics here. Why do you ask?" 

"I was just wondering. It seems that whenever a group of people get
together, politics come up.  There's always someone who thinks he can do a
better job than anyone else." 

"Well, if that's the case, let them run for a seat on the council!" Rohan
laughed. "Isn't that why we have elections?" 

"So, you don't think there may be those who advocate less-than-democratic
means of obtaining power?" Apollo inquired. 

"I hope not," answered Rohan. "At least, not in this club. If there were,
they would be asked to leave, and not asked nicely." 

"Glad to hear it," said Apollo. He was glad to hear it, but he wondered
where the rumours that his father had supposedly heard had come from, if
it were true. 

Meanwhile, Starbuck was having a drink with Joran. "I thought that this
was a club for couples,"  Starbuck commented to his new friend. 

"My lover, Aeryn, is over there," Joran replied, gesturing to where
another man was enjoying the company of several attractive younger males.
"We have an open relationship." 

"Open meaning....?" Starbuck queried.

"Meaning that neither of us is possesive of the other. If one of us
happens to meet someone whose company he enjoys, whom he finds attractive,
the other doesn't get upset." 

"And how far does that extend?" Starbuck wanted to know.

"All the way," Joran replied with a seductive smile. 

"I see," Starbuck muttered, staring into his drink.

"What about you and Captain Apollo?" Joran asked.

"What about us?"

"What kind of relationship do you have?"

"Not that kind," Starbuck replied.

"No? Then why are you with me and not your handsome partner right now?" 

"There's nothing to stop us from socializing with other people. It's not
like Apollo is the jealous type," said Starbuck. "We just don't do
anything more than that." 

Joran's smile was a bit sad now. "Well, Captain Apollo is a lucky man." 

//I wish Apollo thought so// "I'm the lucky one," Starbuck answered. 

When Starbuck rejoined Apollo, it was getting late. "So, what did you and
Joran talk about?"  Apollo wanted to know. 

"Nothing in particular. I saw you talking to someone. Did you learn
anything?" 

"Yeah, but I can't figure out what, yet."

"Want to talk about it?" Starbuck asked.

"Not yet," answered Apollo. "When I've got a better handle on it, I'll let
you know." He checked the time on a nearby chronometer. "Oh, frak!"

"What's wrong?" 

"Look at the time! I think we just missed the last transport to the
Galactica. There won't be another for centares." 

Rohan approached, having heard Apollo's exclamation. "Is there anything I
can help you with, Captain Apollo?" 

"We just missed our transport back to the Galactica," Apollo said.

"Well, if you need a place to stay, we have plenty of rooms here." He
handed Apollo a key.  "You'll find that our rooms are quite comfortable,
and equipped with everything you might need." 

"My son is expecting me home tonight," Apollo sighed.

Rohan gestured to a communications panel nearby. "Call him, tell him that
you got held up." 

"Looks like we don't have much choice, Apollo. I'm sure Boxey will
understand, and Athena doesn't usually mind him staying the night with
her," Starbuck pointed out. 

"I suppose," sighed Apollo. He went to the communications panel and
contacted Athena, who was happy to keep Boxey overnight. 

"Looks like we're your guests tonight, Rohan," Apollo said to the club
president. 

"I hope you find the accomodation to your liking," the man replied.

Starbuck and Apollo were taken to a small but pleasant room containing
only one bed. Apollo stared at it but didn't say anything. While Apollo
used the turboflush Starbuck checked out the room. No listening devices or
hidden cameras were present. He did find an assortment of prophylactics,
lubricants, massage oils and other sensual pleasure devices. "I guess
Rohan meant it when he said the room was equipped with everything we might
need." 

Apollo came out and Starbuck went into the tubroflush. He sat for a while
and tried to decide what to do about the bed. //I guess I could offer to
sleep on the floor// he thought. //I would love to share a bed with him -
not even to have sex, just to lie there and watch him sleep.// Finally, he
could no longer put off the inevitable. He left the turboflush and found
Apollo already in bed. 

"I'll uh, I'll just sleep on the floor."

"Don't be ridiculous. There's plenty of room for both of us in here. Or do
you find my company that unpleasant?" Apollo asked. 

"No! Not at all. What makes you think I would ever find your company
unpleasant?" Starbuck inquired as he slid into bed next to Apollo. 

"I know you'd rather be sharing a bed with my sister, or Cassiopia. Or
even that guy you were dancing with earlier. Unfortunately, you're stuck
with me." 

Starbuck sighed. //Okay, Bucko, it's now or never// "To tell you the
truth, Apollo, there's no one I'd rather be stuck with. Not Athena, not
Cassiopia, and most certainly not Joran." 

Apollo rolled over so that he was facing the other man. "Do you mean
that?" he asked. 

"Yes, Apollo, I mean it. I've been in love with you for yahrens. When we
were in the Academy, even. I just ... I never knew how to tell you. It's
not every day a man tells his best friend, who happens to be another man,
that he's in love with him." 

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Apollo asked.

Starbuck took a deep breath. "There hasn't been a lot in my life that's
permanent, Apollo. Not parents, not friends, definitely not lovers. Not
even a home world. I was scared. I had your friendship ... I didn't want
to lose that." 

Apollo took Starbuck in his arms. "You won't lose me, Starbuck. Not ever. 
I'm not going anywhere. Even if nothing else in your life is permanent, I
am. " 

"Then you still want to be friends?" the Lieutenant asked hopefully.

"No, you idiot. I don't want to be friends. I want us to be lovers.  I
love you. I've loved you for what seems like forever.  And if my father
hadn't set up this whole little charade, I might never have come out and
told you." 

"Your father? What does he have to do with it?"

"We have been set up, Bucko. There's no saboteurs. There's no plot to
overthrow the Council.  My father must have known that already. He must
have decided we needed a push in the right direction - each other." 

"Remind me to thank him when we get back to the Galactica," Starbuck said.
"In the meantime ..." he opened the drawer that he'd discovered earlier,
"we have some toys to play with." 

Apollo kissed Starbuck long and hard. "I think you're going to be my
favourite playmate from now on," he stated. 

"I'm going to hold you to that," Starbuck replied, before starting the
game. 

END