Not too long after Starbuck left for his recon mission, a shuttle left for the Galactica from The Rising Star. Athena was already on it. Cassiopia came aboard, and as luck would have it, the only empty seat was next to Athena. She sat down next to her and they looked in opposite directions. Since the shuttle pilot was fairly inexperienced, the flight was a rough one. As the shuttle jerked, both women dropped their medal that Starbuck had given him from his uniform, and they reached down to pick up the same one. They glared at each other.

Cassie: Sorry, Athena, I think you have the one that he gave to me.

Athena: Oh, excuse me. Ah, here's mine. (Quickly turns away.)

Cassie: (After a long pause) You shouldn't be surprised. A man like Starbuck can't be tied down.

Athena: Are you sure that isn't what you want to do?

Cassie: Not at all. I say live for the moment. Besides, he didn't want to be alone tonight.

Athena: He was just impatient. I told him I wouldn't be working for the entire evening and if Tigh authorized it, I would get off early.

Cassie: He wasn't willing to wait for you. Doesn't that tell you something?

Athena: Yes, it tells me that he will quickly go to the first b...I mean first...Oh, forget it.

Cassie: I've been called a lot worse, and by better people than you!

Athena begins to sulk and decides not to answer.

Cassie: Listen, Athena, we're never going to agree on this. Maybe we should just change the subject.

Athena: (beginning to soften and see where this is going.) Okay, you will be glad to hear this. There are some new quarters opening up on Sigma deck. You should check them out. They are undoubtedly better than what you are currently staying in. They are almost big enough for...um...two people...if necessary. (forcing a half-smile.)

Cassie: Sigma deck, that's pretty far away from the pilots quarters, isn't it?

Athena: Obviously not far enough for you...or me.

Cassie: I was just asking because the Galactica is such a large ship! I'm still trying to learn my way around.

Athena: You're right, it is pretty big. Starbuck and I used to...oh forget it.

Cassie: Stop living in the past. Starbuck doesn't. He lives for the moment.

Athena: Starbuck lives for the moment because he doesn't have a past. Has he told you anything about his life on Caprica? Or were you too busy soliciting to listen?

Cassie: He's told me plenty. I especially like the part where you told him you weren't ready for a commitment.

Athena: I told him I wasn't ready for a commitment because I had just lost two members of my family not a full cycle before he asked for one. What would you do?

Cassie: That's beside the point. You told him you weren't ready, so don't complain when he looks elsewhere. If he really loved you he would have waited.

Athena: Right...and he didn't. Obviously.

Cassie: Athena, I'm not saying this to hurt you. I just think that you don't understand Starbuck very well.

Athena: (sighs) Maybe you're right. But we had some great times. Some really great times. I guess our timing wasn't the greatest. I mean things were out of sync.

Cassie: I can't believe I'm saying this, but if you want him, fight for him. Just remember that I'll be fighting for him too.

Athena: Fighting for him...Starbuck never could turn down a good fight.

Cassie: Who knows, you and I might even become friends. I doubt it, but anything is possible.

Athena: (wryly) Hmmm, maybe.

Announcement from shuttle pilot: We are approaching the Galactica. Please prepare for landing.

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