Fic: Apathy To Fire 2/2 BattleStar Galactica 2003
Title: Apathy to Fire Author: Lopaka Tanu Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of Battlestar Galactica. Characters: Gaeta, Lee, ensemble Wordcount: 11875 Fandom: Battlestar Galactica Pairing: Gaeta/Lee Rating: Adult Warnings: Language, Violence, Alternate Universe Summary: Forever feels like a day to Felix during the final year of the Twelve Colonies. TimeLine: Third in series, post Nessun Dorma and An Ocean Away. Author's Note: Gaeta never served on the Galactica. ______________________________________
"What?" Lee couldn't believe his ears. He had come in early to make up for leaving the admiral the night before. There had been the hope of nothing going bad, but his father had seen fit to ruin that. "What do you mean Galactica is being decommissioned? How could he let that happen?"
"The commander has decided to retire from the service." Montrose watched Lee with concern. "As your father, I thought for sure he would have told you before the rest of us."
"My father and I do not talk. The base's comm officers are under orders not to allow any wireless communiques from him to reach me." Feeling like he was going to explode, Lee began to pace the office. "Did he say when this was going to happen?"
"Eight months, just after the six month's fleet inspections. You really should start accepting his comms, Captain." Holding up his hands to ward off Lee's glare, Montrose shook his head. "I'm not saying as a father, but as a superior officer. If you are to receive fleet news from him..."
"I will receive it. But all private messages are off limits, sir." Feeling his anger about to explode, Lee stepped in front of the admiral and snapped a salute. "Permission to be dismissed for the day, sir."
"Granted." Montrose didn't know what had transpired between Lee and his father, but Caroline had certainly been in high spirits over the news. In fact, she had laughed until her sides ached. He would have asked why, but shortly after she stopped laughing, the Commander had appeared and they went off for the rest of the night. Out of respect for Caroline, he hadn't told that part to Lee.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"I've asked, the president has given his blessing. Now, all I need is the permission of the admiralty. It will take a little work, but I believe it will be worth the effort. What do you think?" Picking up her glass of cider, Laura sat back and began to sip it. She had been at the Adama apartment for fifteen minutes and already felt her excitement triple.
Putting down his sandwich, Felix shrugged. He didn't know what to say exactly. It put an end to the last of his hopes of serving in the fleet. "I believe the admiralty will agree. Galactica is too valuable a reminder to just let her rot in a salvage yard."
"That is what I believe as well." Enjoying their rapport, she was shaken when the door to the apartment flew open and slammed against the wall behind her head. She set her drink down and stood up in anticipation of whoever came down the hall. Seeing Lee, she felt a little guilty for being there working with Felix. "Captain Adama, it is good to see you."
Lee stopped mid stride upon seeing her. He hadn't expected Laura to be there. But since she was, he turned to Felix accusingly. "Working?"
"You said nothing about working from home." He enjoyed the twitch of veins in Lee's throat. Rising from his chair, he used the furniture to help him reach Lee. "Why are you back so early? Something happen at the base?"
"My father has decided to retire, but that is beside the point. You are supposed to be taking it easy. We agreed you would until you are well. This is not taking it easy!" Lee had begun walking as he talked. He finished with yelling in Felix's amused face. "Is there something funny about this?"
Reaching out over the short distance that separated them, Felix kissed Lee on the nose. "I love you when you get over protective. I am fine, we were just discussing last night, not work. I promise." Seeing Lee wasn't clearly buying it, he gestured to the kitchen. "Dinner is simmering in the crockery, I finished early and invited Laura over because I knew you would be just like this about last night."
"Great, just great. My husband is a freaking know it all genius and his boss is the secretary of education. I suppose between the two of you, you can explain every thing away in purely logical terms." His words lacked sting as Felix had wrapped his arms around Lee's waist. With his dark haired husband hanging off him like a drunken tramp, he felt his cheeks redden. "Not in front of other people."
Face against Lee's neck, Felix growled. "Then quit trying to seduce me." He nipped at Lee's ear for effect then let go. "Logic is far from what we were discussing. More like sentiment."
"Correct. We both feel the Galactica should be preserved, not just scrapped." Taking up the conversation, Laura took a drink from her glass to wet her dry throat. Seeing the two of them together reminded her that Felix was indeed a young man, not just her assistant. "I am presenting a proposal to the admiralty tomorrow to allow me to turn the Galactic in to a museum and teaching aide. Because of his feelings for the Admiralty, I have specifically told Felix he is not to be involved."
"At least not in the proposal. If the Galactica... What?" He had trailed off as Lee started to snicker. Felix frowned at his husband's actions. "What are you laughing at?"
"You want to turn the Galactica in to a floating Museum. My father's ship, his home. That's priceless!" Clutching his sides, he had to lean in to Felix to keep from falling over he was laughing so hard. "Please, please let me be there when you tell him."
Grinning despite not knowing what had made Lee so happy, she nodded. "Sure, why not."
~~~~~~~~~~~
On Lee's arm, Felix took his first steps out of the apartment in nearly a month. He no longer required help or support, but this was a special occasion. Keeping his hand over his eyes to ward off the setting sun, he smiled to no one and everything. The feel of the air over his skin made him want to laugh out loud, it was such a wonderful sensation.
In the past few days he had become so anxious to just get out, but his agreement with Lee had forced him to be patient. It had been a battle between his will and his need to be free. Eventually he had proven to himself that he was stronger than he had thought. His secret had been keeping himself focused on whatever he set out to accomplish by sheer will alone.
Dressed in a casual shirt and shorts, he watched with an air of impatience as Lee left him to open his door. There wasn't a point to saying something, it would only spoil the mood. Lee would continue to coddle him until he felt safe again, and that would take time. Until then, Felix had to bite his tongue and let his husband pamper him.
Climbing in the car, he looked up at the apartment. It really was a pretty building, even if he hated being couped up inside some times. One day he would tell Lee everything, then may be he would call it home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
His first day back at work with Roslin was to a gaggle of interns, aides, and media personnel. Not everyone knew what they were doing, half of them weren't even sure they should have been there. Felix began deftly sorting them out and had weeded their number to fifteen from forty in two minutes. Of those left, he had sent four up to the office and made the other eleven wait. After taking off his jacket, he picked up the briefing itinerary from the hands of a boy who barely looked old enough to shave. "May I help you?"
Staring at Felix in shock, the boy blinked. "Um, excuse me, I was using that."
"Now, you're not. You must be Daniel. My name is Felix, I am Madam Secretary's personal aide and you are no longer required." Grabbing the young man's coat off his desk, he handed it to him and pushed him away with the same hand. "You no doubt know where the steno pool is, go, mingle with your own kind until you are old enough to breed."
Dismissing the temp from his mind and sight, Felix grabbed all the papers littering the desk and shoved them in the trash can. If it was important, Laura would have it with her in her office. She often complained the boy was only good for keeping the people out of her office by his sheer incompetence. He did a quick glance over the paper work, he sighed. It was going to be busy day.
Grabbing the cups he brought with him from his brief case, he snapped it shut and set it down on the floor under the desk. Taking the stairs to Roslin's office, he counted down from ten. On zero, he opened the door to find her staring at a watch. "Madam Secretary, your tea from Suheul Cafe and a fresh pint of berries from the Hesperidies Gardens compliments of Caroline. She sends you her best and tells me to inform you that Tritons are wild for the game Saturday night. Your next appointment after these four are finished begins in half an hour, the defense secretary wishes to confer with you on command codes for the Galactica Museum, and a Michael Bowez from Ishtar InterColonial wishes to schedule an appointment. Shall I send him packing now, or let him infer it when I simply refuse to acknowledge his existence the rest of the day?"
"Five minutes, I am impressed, that is twenty seconds over your previous time. Tell Caroline Tritons were trump last Saturday, Shells are what we agreed for this week. Also, the fruit is welcomed, but Hesperidies Gardens is much too exotic for a pint. Next time I expect not to be insulted by a mere pittance of her hoard. These four are finished, send in the next one, and tell the defense secretary we will do lunch tomorrow." Checking her watch, she waved the four scowling business men out of her office past Felix. "Also, don't leave the man waiting, he is irritating, but it sets a bad precedence."
"Very good." He set her drink and fruit on her desk and marked off the appointment on the itinerary. Feeling in his element, he twisted the papers up to check the next day's bookings. Felix pulled out the pen and marked down the lunch. "Madam Secretary, your lunch for today?"
"Minos' Labyrinth, table for six. The president and four of his friends wish to discuss a possible appearance at a social function. I am sure he will assign me to it, make sure I am booked up for that date so I can't go." She watched with amazement while Felix jotted down her words. He really did know what he was doing. For the first time in a month, she thought not replacing him had been a good idea.
Bowing out of her office, he walked back down the steps to send up the next party.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Standing next to Laura, Felix looked out over the crowd that had gathered to announce the final tour of the Galactica. For such a historic event, there were few people. Most of the reporters were from minor networks seeking a fluff piece, only two of the twelve major colonial networks had sent people. He had tried to tell Roslin not to hold such an announcement in a large area, the Delphi Historical Museum, but she hadn't listened. From her look, he could tell she was regretting it.
Lost in her own thoughts, Roslin was dismayed by the lack of coverage. It should have been a major event. There were more people covering the destruction of the Olympus, ten years ago. Then again, the Galactica was getting an old soldier's retirement, not something as news worthy as terrorist carnage. She was about to walk away when the MC stepped up to the microphone.
Clutching the microphone, the woman smiled for the reporters to get their attention. "Thank you for coming to such a historic occasion. We of the Colonial Historical Society welcome the chance this represents. As you know, fifty-one years ago, the Twelve Colonies banded together under a central leadership. Part of this effort was the construction of twelve BattleStars to combat the cylon threat. Of those twelve, only the Galactica now remains. She alone has survived to her final tour. A relic of a bygone era, she will take her place among the crown of jewels of Colonial History."
Snorting, Felix ignored the few people around him who glared at him. The fools would know soon enough just how bygone the era really was.
"As part of her final tour, the BattleStar Galactica will complete her final run during the cylon war." The lights dimmed behind the MC and a black screen behind her lit up with a relief of the colonial system. A dotted path leading from behind Caprica's first moon towards a large dark red line then back was the only marking. "From her previous engagement in orbit of Caprica, to chasing the Cylons all the way to what is now the Armistice Line, and back again. A final, twelve day journey. Upon her return, she will face one final inspection. Two days afterwards, her decommissioning ceremony will end her fifty-one year service. Then, finally, she can rest, marking the end of a dark chapter in our history."
As the audience cheered and clapped loudly, Felix tossed down his empty glass and stormed away. Let them believe what they wanted. So what if he alone knew the truth, they would all see. They would know.
Watching from the second floor, Natasi shared a look with herself.
~~~~~~~~~~
"I think Montrose and your mother are getting serious, Lee." Putting down the silverware, Felix put the final touches on their dinner.
In the kitchen, Lee was tending the sauce for the dish he was making. "Well, it's about time. I was two steps away from calling my grand mother and telling on my mother." When it had reached the consistency of liquid metal, he took it off the fire and poured it over the meat. "How did you come across this revelation?"
"Caroline has stopped referring to Montrose to Laura as 'Him'. Considering your mother, that is a fairly significant step." Frowning over his words, Felix shook it off. "Did you want beer or fruit juice? Laura and your mother are having the fruit juice."
"Better make it a beer. One of the Memphis Golds, I'm in the mood for something bitter." Carrying the platter with the meats and vegetables on it from the kitchen, Lee set it at the center of the table. "I'll be right back, the pear and mango sherbet is sitting out and I need to put in the chiller for dessert."
"I don't know how you can eat that crap. Mangos and Pears do not go together, it's biologically impossible. As a geneticist, my word is law." Shuddering, Felix poured Lee's drink from the clay urn, then returned the vessel to the rack in the pantry. "Why do you and your mother import in the old fashioned crockery again?"
"Keeps it fresh tasting longer. The bottles make it sterile and flat. Beer is supposed to be fermented and bubbly." At his husbands look of disgust, Lee kissed him on the cheek. "You don't have to like it, just pour it for me like the good house husband."
"Keep it up and you'll find yourself sleeping on the couch like the bad husband." He patted Lee's ass cheek and walked around the table to his seat. "Laura! Caroline! Time to eat!"
"They're not children, Felix." But his words were held false as said women came dragging their heels to the dinner table. He stared in absolute astonishment as the women reluctantly took their seats, but slouched in their chairs. "I stand corrected, I guess."
"You were right, Felix, his neck does bulge in anger." Watching Lee's neck in fascination, Caroline shrugged. "I had never noticed that."
Turning on his husband, Lee stared at them in accusation. "You put them up to this, just to see if my neck..."
"Wow, he must really be angry." Chuckling, Laura shared a glance with Caroline and had to clutch the table to keep from falling from her chair.
~~~~~~~~~~
Finding the bed beside him cold, Lee awoke searching for Felix. It wasn't the first time. In the last two months he had found his bed frequently empty in the middle of the night. Sighing, he put on a robe, tying the sash around his waist. Walking out of their bedroom, he padded to the kitchen. Lee found him in his usual place.
Life would have been a lot simpler if whatever Felix was stressing over he would talk about. However, every time Lee brought it up, his husband would change the subject. Tonight seemed to be no different for them. Taking the stool out from under the counter, he slid it next to Felix's at the kitchen sink to stare out the window. "Find anything tonight?"
"The stars." A rare city wide crack down on power wasting had caused the stars to become visible from the city. In two weeks when normal usage was allowed to be restored, they would become hazy or disappear all together once more. "Have you ever thought about just going out there one day? See what it would be like beyond the red line?"
"When I was a boy." The admission surprised Lee. He hadn't really thought about such a thing in a long time. Leaning on the counter top, he searched for the familiar constellations. "When I was a boy, if you caught him the right mood, my father would show us the locations of the major battles during the war. I memorized every place, vowing to myself to visit them one day."
"Did you?" Curious, Felix switched his view from the stars to that of his husband.
"Once. I was on patrol back when I was a First Lieutenant." Closing his eye against the memory, Lee shook his head. "It was a graveyard. Cygnus Elegy, the bloodiest battle of the cylon war. The massive war cruisers still litter the stellar field there. After that, I never sought another one out."
"I was there once." Felix wondered if his voice was as cold as he felt. It wouldn't hurt anything to let Lee know this. It had been a long time ago, nothing to hurt him now. "The Olympus was on a patrol, I was a third shift comm officer. I picked up chatter over the wireless, too many of them to be random background signals. The officer of the watch ordered course altered to investigate."
Lee had heard a little of this when he was in school. The Olympus' destruction was covered on all the major networks. He could tell from Felix's body language how much this bothered him to speak of it.
"We should have called the Commander to CIC immediately, but Colonel Olani didn't believe it was much. The moment we crossed the threshold in to Cygnus Elegy the Dradis lit up and we were surrounded. Before we could sound Alert Status One, half the crew was dead and the ship in a tail spin from the attack." Rubbing at his eyes, Felix sighed in regret. "I was knocked unconscious shortly after sounding the general distress call for the fleet. Apparently, in the roll, we clipped the remains of an Aerilon Heavy Cruiser.
"For two days the fighting continued through out the ship as the raiders took everything they could get their hands on. No one came to check out what had sent the distress signal. They thought we were an old colonial ship who's wireless was malfunctioning." Tense with anger, Felix clutched the sink basin with tight fists. "A battlefield memorial maintenance crew sent out to silence us made the discovery of a life time and earned a claim to fame as the people who saved the Olympus' incapacitated crew. Fifty survivors out of two thousand, three hundred. Half of those were cylon war veterans who were supposed to be there teaching.
"The Olympus was supposed to be a training cruiser, not a combat vessel." Felix went silent as he looked out the window again. The stars were shining still and he wanted to be among them. "After Cygnus Elegy, I was sent to Pycon Military Academy to study with the grand son of the Olympus' Commander. I never did find him and a year later I graduated to Archimedes University."
They sat in silence for a while afterwards. Not knowing what to say, Lee wrapped an arm around Felix's shoulders. They sat together for the next hour before Lee dragged them both to bed.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"I don't trust this, nothing good can come of it." Cain dropped the briefing folder on the table between her and Admiral Metahart. "Since when do we let civilians design the most sophisticated programs in the fleet without letting our own people go over it line by line?"
"Your objection has been noted several times." Closing the folder, Metahart sat back in her chair to glare at Cain in all her glory. "And it has been dismissed. You are wreckless and your methods brutal. It was decided to go ahead without your approval and input. Then again, we already knew where you stood."
"My objections are valid, you are just too stubborn to see it! If you had let me do things my way this new program would never have been brought in to existence. We don't need it!" By the time Cain finished, she was leaning over the table, breathing heavily. The old crone thought she knew what was best for the fleet, but Rear Admiral Hellena Cain had news for the old bitch. "If you think I am going to allow this any where near my ship you have another thing coming!"
"Ignorance and Insolence, your two most endearing qualities." Far from intimidated, Metahart was elated. It wasn't every day one got to see the fiery passion that made Cain the youngest admiral in the fleet. "In two months time, you will bring the Pegasus to the Scorpion Fleet Yards for these upgrades and you will learn to live with it. If not, there is always early retirement."
Standing tall, Cain's jaw tightened in suppressed rage. One day, this old bitch would be put in her place. "In two months, we shall see."
"Yes, I do suppose we will." As she watched Cain salute then storm out, Metahart released her grip on the pistol under her desk. One could never be too cautious when considering Cain and their own vitality.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Do you know what this is about?" Dressed in his white suit with the green shirt, Felix held Lee's hand as they entered the restaurant. The valet parking had been a pleasant surprise for him, but what he enjoyed more was Lee's threat to the valet. It wasn't everyday he got to see his husband put his training in action.
"No, but apparently it has Montrose and my mother very excited." At the wait station, the hostess greeted them and Lee took the lead. "Adama, guests of Montrose."
"Ah, he is expecting you." She took a moment to check out Lee, then Felix. Her eyes widened at the sight of their joined hands. "I'm sorry, sir, but I was informed your wife would be accompanying you."
"Caroline," Felix muttered in anger. He knew she was behind that.
Snickering, Lee raised their hands. "This is my 'husband', Felix."
"Oh, I am sorry, sir. Your mother and Admiral Montrose said... Well, never mind, right this way." Leading them on, she tried to hide her blush.
As he passed her, Felix flipped her off. "It's none of her damned business who you show up with anyways."
"So, if I wanted to show up with a woman, you wouldn't object?" Lee chuckled as Felix kicked him in the shin. "Don't worry, I would never do that."
"Here we are!" Putting their menus down on the table where Caroline and Montrose were already sitting, the hostess drew back. "Your waitress will be over for drink and dinner orders momentarily. Please enjoy your meal."
"Thank you." Taking his seat, Lee sent a reproving glare at his mother. "Why must you taunt him at every turn?"
Glancing over from smiling at Montrose, Caroline frowned at Lee. "Lee, whatever do you mean?"
"My wife?" He gestured to the scowling Felix. He was of a similar mind. If this was going to continue, they would end the evening early.
"Why should I be the one to tell him? You are the one who married a man, are you too ashamed to let the colonies know?" Reaching in to her clutch, Caroline pulled out a compact to check her appearance in. The light reflecting off the ring on her left hand caught the attention of Felix and Lee.
"So that's the big announcement? You're getting married?" Rolling his eyes, Felix picked up the menu. "I don't see what the big deal is, you could have just told us without all this."
"I told my beautiful beau that, but he never listened." Putting the compact back in the clutch, Caroline took Montrose's hand in hers. "Daphne is a simple woman, darling, she has no class, no breeding."
"No vagina," Lee chimed in. Seeing how the Admiral's look was shifting between amusement and shock, he decided to take pity upon his commanding officer. "Admiral Montrose, I would like to introduce you to my husband, Felix Adama, formerly Felix Gaeta."
Mouth open, Montrose found himself grasping for a response. At a loss, he simply closed his mouth and held out a hand. "I suppose I should have seen this coming. The captain never once mentioned any of his wife's attributes and there were no records of you on file."
"Don't be. You are only one of a handful that even knows I exist." Shaking the admiral's hand, Felix smiled. "Welcome to the family, I guess."
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Today marks the last mission of the BattleStar Galactica. She will start off on a twelve day tour then return for her final ship's inspection. To send her off, President Adar has commissioned the Fleet's very own Obsidian Heralds to light the way!" On the television screen, twelve ships shot off through space, their emission trails glowing in the dark as they were ignited.
Turning off the screen, Felix faced Laura over the dinner table. "Two weeks and then it will all be over. It's hard to believe."
"Yes, well we do tend to take for granted things that have been around for a long time." Finishing her meal, she pushed the plate away and wiped her face on the napkin. Public demand for her time had become so great lately she had taken to eating lunch in the privacy of his apartment. "I've scheduled a meeting with Stens for next week. I need you to provide a distraction for either side of the Educational Alliance's revolt if necessary."
"Not a problem, and it won't even involve Pyrotechnics." It would be tricky, but he was sure they could be placated. "What of the Pycon Day celebrations? How long do you think an appropriate appearance should last?"
"More than two hours, less than a full day." She shrugged, it really depended upon how she was feeling day. Watching him, she judged it was time to lay her request upon him. "Felix, there is one thing I will need you to do for me. It involves the Galactica." Laura knew she had his complete and utter attention by how still he went. "You know that in two weeks I will be attending the decommissioning ceremony. Previously, we had agreed your presence as my assistant would not be necessary. I'm afraid that has changed."
Swallowing, Felix glanced up. "What do you need me to do?"
~~~~~~~~~~~
Standing at attention in front of Admiral Montrose, Lee saluted him. "You wished to see me, sir?"
"Yes, Captain, I did." Not looking up from his papers, Montrose signed his name to one. "What is your relationship with your father?"
"Sir?" Frowning, Lee looked down at the admiral in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"The Galactica's decommissioning ceremony is in less than two weeks. The Admiralty wishes to make a big to do about the Commander's send off and having his son there would make a good impression." Taking a deep breath, he droned out Lee's scoff. "I have been told to make sure you arrive there, no questions asked."
"What are the extent of my orders, sir?" Facing ahead again, Lee kept his posture straight.
"Act like you are there by your own choice. Participate in the ceremony whichever way you are told to. Finally, you are to ride escort to the Secretary of Education's transport." Stamping the paper he had just signed, Montrose held it out to Lee. "Upon completing this mission, I am authorizing four weeks leave. Get well rested, Captain, I want you to be on your best behavior for your mother's wedding."
"Sir?" Again, Lee looked down as he accepted the orders.
Smiling, Montrose sat back in his chair. "Your mother and I have finally set a date. Six weeks from today."
"Congratulations, sir!"
~~~~~~~~~~
The night was cold and wet for late spring. The smell of night blooming flowers flooded the grounds of the Riverwalk Park. Passing between the low hanging branches of a Chamalla tree, Felix let his hands drift out to flit between their leaves. He was waiting for someone, and he hadn't been there long. Hearing someone step on an old twig behind him, he slowly turned to face her. "What do you want, Six?"
Head cocked to the side in the pale moon light, she shrugged in her jacket. Off to the side, another of her appeared through the leaves of the tree. "Hello, Gaeta."
Turning to see the new her, his breath caught in his throat. He had known it, but to have proof was another thing. They were identical copies of each other. Over coming his shock, he felt a cool shiver run down his spine. Closing his eyes, Felix's breath barely came. "It's time?"
"Not yet, but soon." Coming up behind him, a third Six pushed the branches out of her way. Her expression was sad for him. "We need you to come with us now, Gaeta. Your mission here is done."
Stepping closer to him, the first Six smiled hopefully at him. "God has a new plan for you, Gaeta, a reward for your work."
Felix scanned the area around him looking for a way out but found only more figures standing in the shadows of the Chamalla tree. He could tell from the shape of their shadows they weren't more Sixes. He was surrounded and had no other choice. Despite this, there was one thing holding him back. "What about my husband?"
"Do not worry, Gaeta, God will watch over him if he is worthy of His love." Reaching out her hand, Six nodded encouragingly to Felix. "Take my hand, it will be all right. Everything will be better soon, you'll see."
Fear clutching his heart, Felix put out a shaky hand. As her fingers entwined with his, he closed his eyes. "Forgive me, Lee."
Opening his eyes, Felix rubbed at his face as he gasped. Heart pounding in his chest, he tried to figure out where he was. To this end, he forced himself to stop breathing so he could hear better. The soft sounds of snoring beside him told Felix he was in bed with his husband.
Tears of relief blurred his vision in the moonlit room. He reached out to Lee, letting his hand rest upon his husband's muscular back. Felix loved Lee, he would give everything up for him. He wanted to give his husband everything, wanted to make everything right in his world and take away his pain. As Lee turned in his sleep to face him Felix felt his heart ache.
In sleep, Lee was even more beautiful than when he was happy. Reaching up a hand to cup Lee's face, he rolled over to kiss him, but stopped with a gasp. Hand going down to clutch his stomach, he winced in pain. He entire lower abdomen felt like one raw nerve. Easing himself up, he looked down at his stomach. Bruises lined the flesh along his navel.
Laying back down, Felix curled in to Lee's arms. Pressing their bodies together, he lowed his head to Lee's chest. Whatever had happened, he knew one thing. He hadn't been dreaming.