"I'm sorry, Pol."

Apollo returned to full consciousness with a start. "What?"

"I said I'm sorry."

"For what?" Apollo stifled a yawn. He'd been nearly asleep, drifting in the pleasant aftermath of good sex.

"I couldn't handle it."

"Starbuck..." Apollo raised himself on one elbow and wished futilely for lights. "There's nothing to be sorry about. For all your wide experience with women, you've never been to bed with a man before me. So what makes you think ther's something wrong with being a virgin? Or worse yet, that I'll have a problem with it."

"I just-" he paused, and Apollo let his hand wander over his chest. "I just want to be the best for you, that's all."

"Ohh..." Apollo lowered himself onto Starbuck, holding him tight. "That's so sweet of you... But Star, you don't need to try to be the best. You already are, just because you're you."

"Really?" The wistful tone brought a smile to Apollo's face.

"Yes, really." He stroked Starbuck's cheek lightly. "What's got you so insecure today? Think I'm going to get bored and go away?" The cheek under his hand grew warm and Starbuck squirmed.

"Well... yes."

"Not unless you want me to, and even then you'd have to pry me from your side with a crowbar." Apollo smiled. "And here I was afraid you'd be scared off if I let you know how I really feel... you're not exactly known for long-term relationships."

Starbuck turned his head and kissed Apolllo's hand, then sought out his lips. "Even I can get bit by the commitment bug."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

One kiss led to another, and another, and... things were getting rather steamy when a knock on the door interrupted their explorations of each other's bodies.

"Frack! What lousy timing. Wonder who it is and what they want." Grumbling and complaining the whole way, Starbuck rose and clambered back into his clothing. Apollo rolled up in the blanket as Starbuck opened the door.

"What do you want." Apollo felt sorry for whoever was out there- Starbuck sounded ready to rip whoever it was into small shreds.

"Pardon, Captain sir- but have you seen Major Apollo?"

Apollo swore under his breath. He recognized that voice- it was Cera.

"Yes. As a matter of fact, I have."

There was a pause as Cera waited for more. Apollo slipped quietly into his pants, only to find that Starbuck had grabbed the wrong ones.

"Um... could you tell me where to find him?"

"Yes."

Another uncomfortable pause. Apollo grinned as he fastened his- Starbuck's?- shirt. His lover could be so helpful when he chose to be...

"Uh, would you?" Cera's voice had gotten very small and tentative. "No one else has seen him, and I really need to talk to him, it's important and-"

"What is it, Cera?" Apollo stepped up beside Starbuck. Cera's eyes grew very round in the dim glow of her emergency light.

"Apollo- uh, Major, I-" She backed up a step, eyes darting back and forth between the two of them. Her eyes took in their rumpled appearances, their exchanged clothes... Apollo stifled a grin.

"Speak up, Cera. We haven't got all day."

"The computer man needs you," she choked out in a rush. "He wants you- oh my." She turned a shade of red that was vivid even in the dim light. "He needs you to come-"

With one last horrified glance at Starbuck, she turned and nearly ran down the corridor.

Starbuck laughed. "Well, looks like she won't be bothering us again when the door's closed."

"Damn good thing," Apollo grinned. "Hey- you've got my clothes on. What's up with that?"

"Oh, come on, Pol- not like it matters, does it?" Starbuck slid his arms around Apollo.

"Not really, I suppose- but at least let me wear my own jacket, these people have enough trouble with remembering the rank system without you wearing Major's insignia."

"Oh, very well then- spoilsport." Apollo could hear the grin in the other's voice. They switched jackets, found a handlight, and set off to the computer room together, as Apollo made a futile effort to smooth his hair into submission.

They found Jade screwing the console back together. A trash can full of parts rested beside him.

"You sent for me?" Apollo said.

Jade grunted. "Yeah, need you here to boot the thing back up. You know what systems are essential, right?"

"That was fast." Apollo was impressed despite himself. "And yes, I do know what needs to be running and what doesn't."

"Thought so." Jade finished with the screws and looked at them. His lip curled with contempt and he returned his attention to the computer. Apollo snorted. Seemed they were upsetting a lot of people today.

Jade hit the power button on the battery backup unit. The computer powered up with a reassuring hum.

"Good work, Jade," Starbuck said, with one of his best annoying "I'm an officer and you can't touch me" grins. Jade humphed and twitched.

The computer ran through its normal start-up sequence while Jade muttered under his breath. When it was done, Apollo stepped up to the console.

"Anybody seen the chair that used to be here?" he wondered idly as he started tapping keys. He instructed the computer to run a full diagnostic- not that he distrusted Jade, of course, but it never hurt to be cautious. While the computer was working, he looked around the room. He found the comfortable rolling chair which had been in front of the computer console off in a corner and rolled it back to its proper place. He sat down and waited in the uncomfortable silence.

Eventually, the computer gave a chirp, signifying the end of its diagnostic. All was well.

"Excellent." The sound of Apollo's voice made both Starbuck and Jade twitch. They left off glaring at each other and turned their attention to the computer. Apollo found his way into the system files and began booting up the essentials. There was a reassuring hum in the distance as the generators came back online. Within moments, the now-familiar blue glow of the bioluminescent lanterns filled the room. The great ventilation fans came to life with a quiet hiss and a breath of fresh air came into the room. Starbuck grinned and took a deep breath.

"Ah, fresh air... it was getting a bit smelly in here." He flicked his eyes to Jade and away again.

Apollo bit his lip to keep from laughing. "Thank you, Jade," he said, raising his eyes from the computer with a completely straight face. "We are more grateful than you can imagine."

"Yeah, well, I like having the power on as much as anybody. Just remember, you owe me one." With that, he shot one last offended glare at Starbuck and left.

"What an asshole," Starbuck commented, as he stepped up behind the chair and rested his hands on Apollo's shoulders.

"Yeah, I agree- but he did a good job. Come on, I think I've got it all set up again, and I think there was something we had planned..." He smiled. Starbuck's eyes lit with an eager light.

"I do believe you're right..."