Chapter 28P - A Little Later

[Agelastus]

Annoying.

Very annoying.

The Major was determined to keep quiet, it seemed.

Very, very annoying. I didn't take the risk of penetrating the brig in a totally illicit fashion just to have a private conversation for no result. It had taken a lot of effort, and quite a bit of risk to ensure that my visit would be unlogged and unnoticed.

Unfortunately for the Major, her ringing declaration to me, supposed no doubt to get me to leave, was a failure.

Of course, that was because I couldn't leave yet. It wasn't yet time for the second distraction to trigger. I glanced at my chrono, and shook my head.

"Well then major. Since you're so reluctant to talk about Pierce, maybe we should discuss the weather. Or things in general." I sat down in front of the cell and cocked my head at her. "Uncomfortable with the rank and title of Major, I see. Shame that. I don’t think you could convince anyone in Gold Squadron, and probably not many in Black or Silver Spar, to stop calling you that.

"You know your problem, Major? You've always been far too reluctant to accept help. I don't know whether that's because you're too afraid of losing people, or too afraid of trusting people. We are capable of doing things ourselves, you know."

I glanced up. I guessed from her expression that she was thinking of Amy.

"Incidentally, Major, I don't consider anyone dead until I've seen their body...a couple of nasty experiences in the past, shall we say.

"Now, let's see. Still silent, I see. So, what have we got...Pierce is a chauvinist? No, I don't think so major. Wrong planet, wrong tribe, and wrong city. Pierce had intentions towards you? No, I don't think that's right either. Not because he couldn't have felt that way, but because it doesn't fit his character. He seems rather contemptuous of all warriors. So no, I don't believe that's the answer."

Brie was still sitting there, calm and quiet.

"And finally, we have the revenge motive. Maybe...maybe...If it was something more than the 'one that got away' syndrome. He was remarkably quick to attack after all, when he had the chance. Most people would have wanted to take a little more time to get an open and shut case. After all, you are in the brig and not on the prison barge..."

I paused. Infinitesimal. It had been infinitesimal, but the Major had reacted a little at the mention of the prison barge. A slight movement, perhaps a hunching. Nothing showing on her face, of course. Still, that was the first reaction I'd got.

"Yes, the prison barge. Bad place for a Warrior. A very bad place. He really, really wanted to get you there didn't he?

"You know something major, you have one really bad habit. Of protecting people when they don't want to be protected. I was on the Pangara mission, remember? Accepted as a volunteer; no ties, no regrets, no one to mourn if I didn’t come back. I didn't ask for my files to be sealed. I didn’t ask to be sent away like a puppy that’s poked his nose in where it doesn’t belong. I’m quite capable of surviving a second stint on the prison barge if necessary. People there probably remember what happens if people try to kill a warrior…”

There! Twice. Something about the prison barge and death. Maybe even about killing a Warrior. Had Pierce threatened…no, that made no sense. He’d won after all.

“You know something major. No matter what you say, I’m in this already. Probably too deep. This visit isn’t exactly guaranteed to pass without notice.”

I glanced meaningfully at my chrono. “We still have a little time left Major. Are you sure there’s nothing you want to say about Pierce?

”Tell me Major, in all this determination to protect others, have you never considered that maybe, just maybe, you deserve to be protected yourself?”

[Brie]

Brie shook her head in disbelief. Whatever distraction Agelastus had planned, she hoped it would be soon. “Protected from what?” she asked. “I’ve been taking care of myself since I was three yahrens old, and if you don’t think that I can handle a stint in the brig, well, then you don’t know me very well. Compared to the Catharsis Center this will be a walk in the park. Here’s some food for thought. Ever think that maybe I just might be guilty? I knew something was up between Amy and Charybdis. You were in the Ready Room, you must have seen Amy and me arguing. EVERYONE saw Amy and me arguing. I was going to pull her off the mission then, but I didn’t. She was young and inexperienced, and obviously not ready for the amount of responsibility that I gave her.”

“You don’t believe that,” Agelastus said.

Brie laughed. “You’re right, I don’t. But I was able to kill a few microns until the next distraction that you have planned. Is it going to be loud? I hope not, I already have a headache.” It was Agelastus’ turn to ignore a question. “Whatever. Just so you know, and to kill a few more microns, I’m not afraid of losing people. That’s what my whole life has been about. Trust, well, that’s a little bit harder, because that needs to be earned. For instance, I don’t know how anyone could ever trust someone who would break every rule possible to make an authorized visit to the brig, especially when the person in the brig doesn’t even want their help. And one more thing, Captain. Sometimes there is no body. If you don’t believe that, look up my husband’s record. Captain Turner. Most of it should be in the public files by now.” Since Turner’s involvement with Pierce’s first group had been anonymous, Brie knew that there was no connection to find in his files.

“Captain Turner,” Agelastus repeated more to himself than to Brie.

“Although,” Brie continued, “if you go snooping around in my past, we’ll end up back at that trust issue again. Anything I want you to know, I’ll tell you. Which, at the moment, is nothing. Not that there is anything to tell.” She noticed that Agelastus glanced at his chrono again. “Is it almost time? I hope so, because this conversation is getting, well, a little bit boring. Should I plug my ears, or cover my eyes or what?”

[Agelastus]

I'd pushed the Major far enough. And I'd got what I wanted - a place to start. The Prison Barge, killing, and most importantly, Turner.

If you look hard enough, you can always find, if not the bodies, where the bodies should have been. I stretched as I stood up...the brig floor was actually a fairly uncomfortable seat. The metal was surprisingly chill.

"Don't worry...Brie," I said, deliberately dropping her rank title. "It won't be loud. Loud distractions invite questions. There won't even be any smoke."

I moved a little away, and then paused. I had a couple of microns still. Only a couple though. I couldn't resist one last comment though.

"As for trust...and trusting people. What makes you think I was referring to myself in that phrase? I pay my debts, real or imagined. Whether or not that means I'm trustworthy? Well I'm sure the dead could give you an answer..."

And with that deliberately ominous phrase, I slipped away. Too gothic. It had been too long since I'd pulled a stunt like this. I'd almost forgotten that it hadn't entirely been neccessity that had gotten me to where I was today.

I didn't poke my head around the corner. That was an amateur's move. Subvocally, I counted down..."four, three, two...one."

"FRAK! It's broken loose again. The warning's back."

"Just call maintenance."

"You know we can't do that without an on-site check. It might be a security issue...felgercarb, not again. Twice in one shift..." The voice faded as it moved away. Then it rose again. "FRAK! Here, come and give me a hand, the whole relay's melted this time. We need to lock it down."

The guard's colleague grumbled, the grumbling fading as he moved away...out of line of sight of the cells or the exit. Sloppy. Very sloppy. I like security types. Many of them are as good as any warrior.

The ones who end up on shifts like this are not. I slipped out quickly. It was just possible that the second guard would remember the regs and come straight back.

I pocketed the back-up I'd been holding. With the monitors showing recycled footage, I'd still only have had a fifty-fifty chance of getting away unscathed if I'd had to try sedating the guard.

Still, they were sloppy. Maybe I should report them...later.

[Brie]

Brie lied back down on her bed, not sure of when the loop would end and the cameras would actually work again. The fact that it had been so easy for Agelastus to break in and then out again made her a little bit uneasy. As annoying as the cameras were, they had given her a strange sense of comfort. Now, that was gone.

Hoping that they were back on-line, Brie turned, her back to the cell door and the cameras, and threw the sheet over her head. “I should report him,” Brie mumbled quietly to herself. “I should. It would serve him right. Who the frack does he think that he is? I really should report him. I think I will. He’s not going to let this go. I WILL report him, next time. Maybe I should now. No, I should get Skyler to assign him to turboflush duty. Now THERE’S an idea. Ask Skyler for one last favor, make Agelastus’ life a living, boring, Hades, then I’ll push Skyler away as well. That is, if Skyler ever actually bothers to stop by and visit me...” Still mumbling to herself, Brie drifted off to a very light sleep.

[Brie]

Although it was a light sleep, it was very enjoyable. Brie wasn’t really dreaming, but she experienced a sensation that she hadn’t felt in a long time. She felt like Turner was with her, holding her, watching over her. She hadn’t felt like that since those dark days in the Catharsis Center. Feeling Turner’s presence back then had been just about the only thing that had kept her sane. She cherished every moment.

The lights, although not very dim, grew brighter, and Brie could hear footsteps approaching. She opened her eyes, the elation quickly slipping away. “Brie?” a soft voice said outside her cell. She recognized it immediately as Millie, one of the female guards. “If you’re awake, you have a visitor.”

Brie sat up, shaking the sleep from her head. She’d have plenty of time for rest, it wasn’t like she had anything to do for the next ten yahrens. Brie looked towards the cell door and was surprised to see Trula, Boleman’s wife. It was a pleasant surprise. “Sure, I’m up,” Brie said as she stood.

“Is this a bad time?” Trula asked. “I could come back later, but I’ve been really worried about you.”

“No, this is fine,” Brie said.

“Five centons,” Millie reminded them. “Even that much we’re not supposed to give you, not at this centar, but Captain Urdea said it was okay this time...” Millie walked back down the hall, leaving them alone.

“I’m sorry if I woke you,” Trula said. “You look tired.”

“Oh, no,” Brie said quickly. “I was just having a dream about my husband.”

“Turner, right?” Trula asked.

“Yeah,” Brie replied. “I remember that you said you had met him once.”

“He was unforgettable,” Trula remarked. “So, are they treating you okay?”

“Besides being bored out of my mind, I’m fine,” Brie replied. “How come you’re still here on the Callisto? I thought you would have returned home by now.”

“There are no shuttles at the moment,” Trula informed her. “The Galactica is too far out. But that’s fine. Boleman and I have decided to stick around for a little bit longer anyway. Give us some time to ourselves, plus I’ve promised to give them some pointers in the Callisto’s Mess Hall. It really IS a mess!” Trula laughed slightly at her own joke. “I’ll let you get back to sleep. I’m sorry for disturbing you, I just wanted to see you here, that’s all. I’ll be back at a more decent centar.”

“Thanks for stopping by,” Brie said. She watched as much as she could while Trula disappeared down the hallway.

[Brie]

Pierce was surprised to find out that he had a message. He couldn’t risk having it traced to his temporary office, so he left. A few centons later he was unscrambling the codes at a mostly-private terminal.

The message was short and to the point. “The two Captains are alive, and on the Galactica.”

Pierce read the message twice, then deleted it, making sure that no traces were left. “Frack,” he said quietly.

[Skyler]

Skyler stood outside the door to the Brig, face to
face with a security officer, one of a group of five
he had a scuffle with several yarhen ago on the
landing deck. The officer was taking great pleasure in
telling Skyler that Brie wasn't allowed visitors with
out approval. Skyler clenched his fist repeatedly, the
knuckles popping each time. He was thinking to
himself... Cool.... Professional.... What would Brie
want you to do..... when the officer crossed the
line....

"Major, I can contact Major Pierce to see if you can
be allowed a few microns.........".his voice stopped
as Skyler reached out with one hand, grabbed him by
his tunic, lifting him a good two feet off the floor
and pinning him against the wall, knocking the breath
out of him in one quick fluid move. The rage in his
eyes burned right into the officer.

"Officer, I do not need permission from Pierce to do
anything, you understand me? I have talked to
Commander Sheba, the person in charge of this bucket,
and have been granted access to see Major Brie when
ever I need it, being the new Squadron Leader of Gold
Squadron... until the Major's return.... Do I make
myself clear?"

Skyler released the officer and he slid down the wall.
Fear grip every inch of his body. When he last faced
Skyler, he had four other security officers with him
and Skyler put four of them, him included, in the life
station for an extended stay, and the one that managed
to avoid the life station was unable to return to full
duty for two sectars. The anger that boiled in
Skyler's eyes told the officer that this was not the
time or place to exact any kind of revenge by
attempting to keep him from Brie. At least not without
two dozen..... maybe three dozen ARMED officers to
assist him. He reached over and keyed in his code and
the main door opened to the holding cells.

"Major..... here you go sir, just a little kidding
there sir, nothing meant by it sir, Pierce isn't even
in charge of visitors anymore, Captain Urdea's
orders....." as Skyler started to enter the cell block
the officer stuck his hand out. "Sir, you know that no
weapons are allowed in the....." Skyler cut him a look
that robbed him of his voice. It took a few microns
for him to find it and it returned with a half a
laugh. " ha, ha, But silly me, I am sure it doesn't
apply to Warriors sir, go right ahead, no worries, no
problems. If there will be anything else sir I will be
at my desk." He indicated with a head nod to a work
station in the corner.

When the door closed behind him, Skyler keyed in his
own code, one given to him by Sheba when he was
doing some snooping around for her on Brie's behalf.
Why she hadn't changed it by now baffled him almost
as much as why she reminded him it hadn't been changed.
A few quick key strokes and the blinking lights on the
security cameras blinked out. He approached the cell to
find Brie sitting on her bunk watching the monitor
like she really enjoyed being there.....

"Oh, Major Skyler.... um, it's the middle of General
SickBay. Could you come back later? Oh, you see that
really ugly woman there? Sally? Millie tells me
that's really a man."

"Major, I ...." Skyler started but Brie cut him off
before he could start, jumping from her bunk and
stepping closer to the cell door.

"MAJOR!, I am not a Major any longer... its just Plain
Brie, one step and ten yarhens from being a civilian
again. So just leave me alone, ok. When I am ready to
talk I know how to find you."

"Fine, BRIE, if that's the way you want it, then BRIE
it is, but I will not go away. You are my dearest
friend, and I won't turn my back on you, not now, not
ever."

"Skyler, I don't need help, I have a nice room, three
squares a day and all the IFB I can watch. What more
can I ask for?"

"Your freedom......"

"Freedom for what? To get more people killed, see more
friends die? I like it here just fine. You're no
freer in the military than I am here. When is the
last time you didn't sleep with your boots on?"

"Brie you can sell that load of felgercarb some where
else, I am not buying."

"Well, you had better buy it old friend, I am
finished, yep, it's the simple life for me."

"Brie, look me in the eyes and tell me you never want
to see me again. That you are 100% happy with this new life
and want to be left alone. IF you can look me in
the eyes and convince me that is what you really want,
then I am outta here. The only time you will ever see
me again is on that blasted monitor up there."

Brie looked him in the eyes, she saw the hurt, the
anger.... the love...

[Brie]

Brie stared into Skyler’s eyes a long time. No matter what she said about her conviction and wanting him to leave her alone she knew he wouldn’t buy it. She decided to bring up something that she was actually upset with him about, maybe that could help her to be strong. “I read Logan’s file,” she said at last.

“What?” Skyler was confused by the seemingly out of the blue comment.

“Commander Apollo gave it to me, before the charges were filed,” Brie said. “Did you think that I wouldn’t find out?”

“Find out what?” Skyler was still baffled.

“You know how important total disclosure was to me, Major,” Brie said, getting some of her strength back. “Logan was supposed to join Gold Squadron over two yahrens ago. If you kept something like this from me, it makes me wonder what else you’ve been hiding.”

“Brie, I haven’t been hiding anything,” Skyler said.

“You know what I think, Major?” Brie continued. “I think we’ve both been hurt so much by losing people that we loved that we found the one person that we COULDN’T be with. We both knew that as long as I was your CO, that was first, there couldn’t be anything else. We could claim to have feelings for each other, but it really was just an act. An act to make sure that we couldn’t get hurt by someone else. It was safe.”

“What are you talking about?” Skyler asked. “Brie, you know how I feel about you. I love you.”

“Oh yeah? Well, why don’t you look me up in ten yahrens and tell me then how you feel? Commitment is a hard thing for you, Skyler. That’s why you’ve been engaged twice, but have yet to take the seal. Don’t think that I want my name to be added to your list of ‘mistakes.’ I’m just glad I was able to figure this out before I invested too much of myself.”

[Skyler]

"Mistakes...... Wait one fracking centon there.... My first Fiancé Kellie, was killed by the Cylons, like Turner,
something we both have in common.... She was never a mistake, she was an innocent bystander caught in this
stupid felgercarb.

The second was Mara, and the Lords only know why she did what she did, but the truth be known, I was too
hung up on you to let her get to close. Volunteering for every mission you had, to keep you out of danger,
to protect you. Yes, go ahead, let me hear the Duty to the Fleet speech, maybe I was tired of that
felgercarb, maybe I wanted to pledge my duty, my LIFE to something a little selfish, to just one person.....
to you." Brie looked away for only a micron, something he had said touched a little too close to the mark.

"Skyler, I never asked you to protect me, and quite honestly that got a little bit annoying. Why do you
think I kept you off the Pangara Mission? I didn't want you getting in my way." Skyler opened his mouth
to speak, but Brie knew what he was thinking. "Don't base everything you think you know about me on one
drunken night, Skyler. Now, if you don't mind the commercials are about over and I really want to finish
General Sickbay."

"Well, I do mind Brie, even if I misunderstood your feelings, your actions, mine were never an act. I love
you with all that I am. Do you want me to prove it? Say the word and I will."

"What about not telling me about Logan? Hiding things from ones you are 'in love' with really proves a lot
to me."

"What is the big deal about Logan? Until I saw her on the Callisto after we found the fleet I had no idea
she was even a Warrior, or even alive, let alone about to transfer over here. Heck, over two yarhen ago I
wasn't in the Command Staff of the Squadron, how would I know what was going on?"

"You were third officer, and besides, with your shared past, you would have known. Her transfer was approved
before we were separated from the fleet." Brie glared at him.

"Brie, I left the past in the past. I wasn't hiding it, just trying to forget it, there was too much pain
there to remember. Pain that turned me to the bottle, almost ended my Warrior career. Yes I got my game
back, but I didn't really start to feel again until I transferred here, till I met you."

"Skyler, stop, I don't want to hear it. Just go away.... My mind is made up for now. Only time will
change it, which is good, since I have plenty of it. Now, my show is back, you can wait till the next
commercial, or you can come back...... but not at the same time, remember, General Sickbay..."

[Brie]

Skyler still stood there, not moving. “There is something that you can do for me,” Brie said at last.

“Anything,” was Skyler’s quick reply.

“Go, live your life. Lead your squadron, defend the fleet, have fun with your friends, find some nice woman to settle down with. Just leave me alone.” Brie realized that they were the exact same words that she had said to JustinB. “Just leave me alone,” she repeated.