Word Count: 1345
Date: 02/11/05
Series: One
Rating: K+
Category: Relationships
Pairing/Focus: Tom Zarek/OC
Warnings:
Summary:
Spoilers/Disclaimers: All usually disclaimers apply
Please read and review thanks.
Callie wandered into the party wondering what she was doing there. She hated parties at the best of times but these official ones were the worst. She was only there under protest because her Aunt and the Commander where making her go, as part of the Presidents family and as a representative of the Galactica. She sighed making for the small bar area asking for a soft drink, she didn't really want to get drunk and she had no intention of staying longer than she needed to. It wasn't that the Bonanza couldn't be fun you just had to be with the right people. She walked over and stood by her Aunt hoping to make her presence noted so her time there would be noted and passed along. It was while she was stood there waiting for a few moments of her Aunts time that she felt the eyes on her. She glanced over her shoulder and spotted the man with the deep brown eyes looking at her, he glanced away slightly talking to someone before turning back and flashing her a smile.
She heard a small cough and turned her attention back to her Aunt, `You made it,' she said sounding happy and relieved at the same time, `and your wearing the dress I sent.' Callie groaned and nodded, `I'm only here under protest as you well know, and yes thanks for the dress.' Her Aunt smiled at her brushing back a few loose strands of Callies hair, `No Captain Apollo?' she asked sounding mildly disappointed. `No we broke up remember.' She watched as the disappointment flashed across her Aunts face for a second, `Such a shame,' Callie shrugged, there was still some lingering pain there from that but they had decided to be friends, work and she rather suspected other reasons he hadn't chosen to share with her, probably hoping not to hurt her feelings. `There are others out there Aunt Laura, its not as if Lee is the only man left, plus there are several attractive women I could name.' She flashed her Aunt a smile sipping at her drink, `Don't even think about it,' her Aunt answered with a playful growl, `You can't fix it?' she asked and Callie shook her head, `There's nothing to fix, it didn't go bad it just wasn't the right time.' She shrugged wanting to move the conversation on, `Maybe there's some nice guy here for you to introduce me too, after all it wouldn't be the first time you've done that.' Her Aunt laughed a little, `No none at all, at least none that would keep you happy long enough to produce children.' Her Aunt looked sad for a few seconds and then the smile that almost always seemed to be plastered across her face in public situations reappeared. `Remember we need to keep the human race going.' Callie gave her arm a quick squeeze, `I know, I'm sure there's someone out there for me, I just need to find him.'
She smiled at Billy as he moved forward to garner her Aunts attention introducing her to some new people and she made her excuses pleased to be away from the stickiness of the conversation. Her Aunt expected her to help set and example to the fleet about children and marriage, keeping the species going was all important, not that she disagreed but she didn't want to feel pushed into it. Callie looked around for a few moments to get her bearings and to see if anyone else familiar was there but no one she really wanted to talk to appeared in her vision and she walked towards the exit of the ballroom and headed in the direction of the little domed garden area.
As she sat on one of the benches looking upwards she didn't hear the footsteps moving towards her not until someone sat next to her did she realise they were there. She said nothing continuing to look up at the starlight night that followed them everywhere now. `Beautiful isn't it,' the voice said and she turned slightly to glance at the figure speaking, `Always,' she answered in a soft voice turning her gaze back to the stars. `Tom Zarek, he said by way of introduction. She smiled a little, `I know who you are Mr Zarek,' she answered, `We have a mutual friend.' He looked a little puzzled and then realisation seemed to dawn, `Captain Adama, yes of course you would know him.' She glanced across, `And you of course would know who I am, why else would you come to speak with me.' He turned his dark brown eyes onto her and smiled softly, `because you were the most beautiful woman there' he countered to her silent challenge. An eyebrow arched up at him half amused, `Nothing to do with my Aunt at all,' she said the amusement echoing in her voice. A hint of a smile appeared on his lips before he turned to look upwards following her gaze, `No nothing to do with your Aunt at all,' he answered in such a way as to almost sound convincing yet Callie knew better. `Ah you may fool others with your charm Mr Zarek but I'm afraid it's lost on me.' She could feel his gaze return to her face, `Please call me Tom,' `Only out here,' she answered back taking a sip of her ambrosia from the glass she still held. `May I call you Callie?' She turned towards him, `Only out here Tom, my Aunt is going to kill me just for talking to you.' He smiled and sat back looking upwards again, `So what did Captain Adama tell you about me?' he asked and she could hear the attempt at trying to hide his curiosity. `Many things, very terrible things, in fact he told me if I ever saw you to get on the next shuttle out of there.' `So why haven't you?' `I don't always do what the Captain tells me, besides, I haven't been here long enough to make an exit without anyone noticing.' She saw him roll his eyes, `Ah,' he said, `Here under duress, now that I can understand, I am too.' `Really?' she answered not quite believing him, `I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to meet and greet the influential people. ` `And that is the only reason I'm here, it's a duress of some kind, but it did bring me the chance to speak with you.' Callie grinned, `I imagine that can only be a good thing for anyone,' Tom laughed, and Callie found herself enjoying the sound, `I can well believe that is true.' He sat back properly and they both looked upwards saying nothing but she could feel something as he sat next to her and she wondered what it was.
The silence was shattered by loud noises from the gathering as the doors separating them from the rest were opened and Billy stuck his head outside, `Callie,' he called not seeing her, Callie groaned, `Be right there Billy,' Tom stood offering her a hand, `Here let me help you up.' Callie took it and gripped firmly using it to pull her to unsteady feet, `I hate heels,' she muttered, `Can't wait to put my boots back on.' Tom looked at her for a few moments before releasing her hand, `Well heels suit you, and a dress, I don't think I will recognise you the next time I see you.' Callie shook her head, `What makes you think you will see me again?' `Just a feeling I have.' He bent and kissed her lightly on the cheek before heading off in a different direction leaving Callie touching the spot lightly. `Well that was interesting,' she said aloud walking towards Billy, `What was?' he asked confused. She smiled over at him, `Oh nothing much, just looking at the stars.'