krickets: (!!Christmas: Lonely Tree)
[personal profile] krickets
Title: and the stream flows red (with the blood of all those left behind)
Fandom, Pairing: bsg, kara/leoben (dualla, adama)
Rating, Spoilers: pg13, through crossroads II
Summary: Kara waits for Leoben.
Wordcount: 700
A/N: For [livejournal.com profile] amathela's birthday. She requested Kara/Leoben, blood is thicker than water. Happy birthday, sweets! Hope you like it. Beta read by the amazing and fabulous [livejournal.com profile] kmousie. ;)


There's a gnarled grey tree at the end of a muddy road in a place they call Kansas. Today, it rains, dark clouds overhead, but Kara still remembers the way. You see, she's been here before.


+



No one believes her. Even Lee, when the path is darkest, leaves her side. She knows what they think she is, and frak, if she weren't her, if she hadn't lived it, she'd think it too.

She also knows they mean to kill her. Whispers carry, and when citizens of the fleet, people she's never met, start hearing, trusting, and believing the words of the one they used to call Starbuck, she knows her time has come. There is no trial - not after Tori, the Chief, and even Sam. (He did try to warn her though, she must admit.) Especially not after Tigh.

They've learned their lesson. (And the Old Man just isn't the Old Man anymore.)


+



She dreams of water, streams and riverbanks, Leoben's voice in her head.

What is the most basic article of faith?

This is not all that we are.

See, the difference between you and me is that I know what that means and you don't. I know that I'm more than this body, more than this consciousness. A part of me swims in the stream, but in truth, I'm standing on the shore. The current never takes me downstream.

She tried to drown him once. It hadn't worked. Instead she drowned in him; in the truth of his words. Which, if she's honest, she understood, even then.

Now, she lies curled in her cell, alone and cold, and still her, all human, muscle and bone. And when she dies (and she will), there will be no awakening. Not like there is for him, anyway. Of that, she is sure.

(But nights, she still prays.)


+



Leoben comes to her before the execution, not in her dreams or in the flesh, but in a message delivered by one Anastasia Dualla, the last ally she'd ever expect.

"They're wrong about you," she says in that empty way of hers, simple, true, and reaches through the bars, drops a slip of paper into Kara's hand. "And we'll all burn because of it."

When she's alone again, Kara reads those words, scrawled in tiny print, over and over again.

Meet me by the tree, L.


+



They come at night.

Alarms sound and then quiet again, but outside she knows the blackness of space is lit up with fire. It is only later that she hears the fight grow nearer, the sound of shouts, and shots, and people dying, and the pounding of boots on metal floor.

After, in the causeway, she finds Adama, bloody on the ground, and kneels beside him. "Come with me," she pleads, places a hand over the gaping wound, cradles him in her arms.

"No," he rasps, shaking with near-death. "It's finished, Starbuck," using her call sign. "Go, find Earth." And then, before the end, "I should have trusted you."


+



Life on this new world is not unlike life on Caprica. (Except the path was paved in blood.)

She takes shelter under the sycamore, leans against the bark, clothes soaked through, and she remembers New Caprica. She remembers Leoben's blood on her hands, Adama's in Galactica, Sam's too — her own. And every time it was the same; warm, and red, and full of life soon taken. She had buried Leoben so many times, with her bare hands even, expecting to find some truth about his nature, some clue that might give away the ultimate cylon secret. She found none, just more of the same. And soon she came to realize that life is life, that you bury the dead and wash your hands clean, sullying the stream that flows on without you in a deep red, and wait by the shore.

She feels his shadow over her before he speaks. Leoben Conoy, the last of his kind, and yet a person, whole and true.


—fin

Date: 2007-12-05 09:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gigglemonster.livejournal.com
Wow!
That was amazing dude.
You worked the prompt sooo perfectly.
I love the way you write Kara, it's just so seamless and it flows and gah. Awesome.
I actually really like the part with Dualla, because that really is the last person you'd expect to be her ally, but that's nifty, I liked that detail alot.
I must say though, favorite line, like EVER

She tried to drown him once. It hadn't worked. Instead she drowned in him; in the truth of his words. Which, if she's honest, she understood, even then.

LOVE it. Oh Kara. Oh Leoben. Perfect.

Date: 2007-12-05 10:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crickets.livejournal.com
I think part of my writing Dualla in here came from watching Home Part 1 again. I kind of love her in that ep. The last ten minutes especially. Just how she lays it down for Adama and is the voice of reason in that whole affair.

And yay! Kara!Leoben!

Date: 2007-12-05 10:03 pm (UTC)
ext_7442: (bsg: team starbuck)
From: [identity profile] amathela.livejournal.com
Ooh, so much love! I love what you did with the prompt, and your take on a post-Crossroads time frame. So melancholy, yet sort of hopeful in its despair.

There is no trial - not after Tori, the Chief, and even Sam. (He did try to warn her though, she must admit.) Especially not after Tigh.

This hits hard - especially because we can already see what that knowledge could potentially do to Adama, and to the fleet. I loved Dee as the unlikely ally, her reflection that Sam tried to warn her, the "she's been here before." Perfect, and thank you so much!

Date: 2007-12-05 10:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crickets.livejournal.com
I'm just so glad you liked it, and kind of stoked you requested this pairing as well. Now I want to go back and watch all the eps with them again. Especially Flesh and Bone.

Date: 2007-12-05 10:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kmousie.livejournal.com
*smooches* Thanks for letting me be a part of your wonderful work. *sends you cocoa and a blanket and stuff like that to help you warm up*

Date: 2007-12-05 11:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crickets.livejournal.com
Ah that would be lovely thank you. I actually snagged this heater we had in the garage that we bought a few years ago that I for some reason wasn't allowed to use in my room. For whatever reason mom decided to day to let me bring it up! It's making "working" noises so I think it'll heat up my space soon!

Date: 2007-12-05 11:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] barefoot-chick.livejournal.com
Kara/Leoben!

*does a happy dance*

I love unconventional ships. Paging McShep and Wincest

Date: 2007-12-05 11:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crickets.livejournal.com
Hee. This is what I was "thinking" about when I was at the library today.

You should call me when you get off work, talk to me about... stuff....

Date: 2007-12-06 12:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pellamerethiel.livejournal.com
Wow. Wow. Just wow. I know that I've said this before, but srsly. There's no way I wouldn't like the fic of yours, because of the language. The metaphors. The conclusions and twisted plot which makes me very dark!happy inside. I've found myself in sudden love with AU world and after I've finished the fic where Lee was a Cylon, I started to write a fic where Cain kills Adama and tries to brainwash Starbuck, but whatever.

And this AU is soooo fucking brilliant. I know that you aren't usually writing the second parts (save Jawyercita?), but this one, ohhh man. Maybe something what happened before? When they discovered and then killed Tory, Sam, Tigh and Tyrol. Poor Adama. :( *loves Adama*
And he was so wrong about Starbuck! And Dee... Dee came to her! I wonder what happened to Lee...
Thank you for writing something so strong and beautiful. *saves it into memories*

She also knows they mean to kill her. Whispers carry, and when citizens of the fleet, people she's never met, start hearing, trusting, and believing the words of the one they used to call Starbuck, she knows her time has come. There is no trial - not after Tori, the Chief, and even Sam. (He did try to warn her though, she must admit.) Especially not after Tigh.
What a plot! Loved it.

Date: 2007-12-06 04:17 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crickets.livejournal.com
Gah you really know how to flatter a person. I like dark!happy, haha. I'm glad you enjoyed it. And you should write your fic! Definitely.

You know there are a few bits of this that I would like like to elaborate on. So you might just get your wish for more parts to this! But it will probably be after the holidays because I have three Sweet Charity fics to finish! LOL.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! :D

Date: 2007-12-06 04:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sunny-serenity.livejournal.com
They are such a fraktastic head trip I don't mind staying on the ride. *mems*

Date: 2007-12-06 04:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crickets.livejournal.com
Hah, that's a wonderful way to put it! Glad you enjoyed and thanks for the commentary!

Date: 2007-12-06 04:50 am (UTC)
ext_44710: (* didnt have to use my AK)
From: [identity profile] schmiss.livejournal.com
Ooh, this gave me chills. Heartbreaking and dark and wonderful. I loved it... and now I have to go read more of your fic. :)

Date: 2007-12-06 04:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crickets.livejournal.com
Ah thank you. It's nice to get such a reaction. Glad you enjoyed. :D

Date: 2007-12-06 06:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] demonqueen666.livejournal.com
This may sound weird, but this whole piece just had this tone of "this is darkness before dawn". Which I love.

I love the way you write Kara and her understanding of Leoben, and, GAH, that little detail about what happened to the Four. It hurts, but in a way that makes you want to keep reading.

Very good fic.

Date: 2007-12-06 06:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crickets.livejournal.com
You know that's not weird at all. That's a very good way of putting the feeling I was trying to generate with this. So I'm thrilled that it came across that way. Thank you very much, hon!


PS - I think I love your icon.
Edited Date: 2007-12-06 06:40 pm (UTC)

Date: 2007-12-07 02:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] demonqueen666.livejournal.com
I may not be able to make icons, but I'd like to think I sure know how to collect good ones ;)

Sadly, I don't know who made that particular one. I have a bad habit of saving these things and not taking down any names.

Date: 2007-12-08 09:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] burningchaos.livejournal.com
Holy Goddess that is amazing.

Date: 2007-12-08 09:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crickets.livejournal.com
Thank you! :D

Date: 2007-12-10 05:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] danniisupernova.livejournal.com
I saw your name on the Wireless post and was like OMG more KC fic!!! Hooray!!
I think you are like, one of my favorite BSG writers.

Date: 2007-12-10 08:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crickets.livejournal.com
Ahhh! I'm so flattered! Thank you sweetie! :D

Date: 2007-12-11 07:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lunar47.livejournal.com
Aghhh....I so love this piece. Like seriously love it. I loved his note to her and especially the fact that Dee delivered it. I love the way she knew his shadow. Actually I dig the fact that he isn't even physically present in this fic. It's just his echo making an impact on Kara.

do you mind if I rec this on my lj?

Date: 2007-12-11 07:29 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crickets.livejournal.com
No absolutely! Rec away! Thank you so much for the thoughtful commentary. I'm so glad you liked it.

Date: 2007-12-17 11:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jeeshee.livejournal.com
Great stuff - creepy. Adama=sob!

Date: 2007-12-18 12:09 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crickets.livejournal.com
Aw, I know that was pretty hard to write actually. Glad you liked it thought. :D

Date: 2008-02-01 07:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pumahmistress.livejournal.com
She tried to drown him once. It hadn't worked. Instead she drowned in him; in the truth of his words. Which, if she's honest, she understood, even then.

Pure poetry in motion darling. Everything you write sounds so beautiful, so poetic <3333

Date: 2008-02-01 07:38 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crickets.livejournal.com
Aw, wow that means so much, hon.

I'm glad you found my fics. Definitely made my day. ;D

Date: 2008-08-13 03:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] waddi-wassi.livejournal.com
Awwww. Okeeeey, you're great with this pairing, now I know it. I loved the way you told the whole thing, the way you finished it. And there are some sentences that are just poetry. &hearts

Date: 2008-09-19 04:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crickets.livejournal.com
Aw thank you!

Date: 2008-09-19 04:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] spooky-xphile.livejournal.com
Meet me by the tree, L.

Yeah, that nearly killed me.

The fic was beautiful and eloquent. It was just amazing in its entirety. Kara was spot on. Leoben is well, Leoben, creepy and fantastic as ever.

Date: 2008-09-19 04:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crickets.livejournal.com
I shold probably write a prequel to this huh? Thank you so much for all of your nice comments! :D

Date: 2008-09-19 09:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] spooky-xphile.livejournal.com
You may want to write a prequel. Because there is not enough Kara/Leoben fic out there. :)

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