"Bloody hell."

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Apollo nodded, gazing at what had once been their shuttlecraft. A lifeform had sprung up from the ground to cover about two thirds of the ship. It looked like some kind of fungus, but it was hard to tell at this distance.

"I suppose we'd better check the damn thing out." Starbuck approached the thing cautiously, hand on his laser in case it had some means of defending itself. Nothing happened.

Apollo approached it from the other side. It truly did appear to be a fungus. It was a mottled brownish color, with spots of vivid orange. "Stay back," he warned, and drew his own laser. He aimed carefully at a spot where there was no chance he could hit any part of the shuttle and fired.

The blast seared into the giant thing. A puff of spores drifted away on an errant breeze and a smell like cooked mushrooms rose into the air.

"That settles it, we've got us a giant 'shroom." Starbuck stepped right up to it, certain now that it wouldn't react. He reached a hand out to touch it. Before he could, the entire thing shuddered, expanded, then heaved itself further up the side of the craft. "Hey, I think you pissed it off, Apollo."

There was no response. "Apollo?"

"What the hell?" Apollo's annoyed voice replied from the other side of the shuttle. "Hey! Get off me!"

Starbuck bolted around the shuttle, pistol drawn, to find the Captain struggling frantically with a giant ball of fluff. He stared. The fluff, a silvery gray in color, was trying to wrap itself around the Captain, who was batting at it frantically. It was getting all over him.

Torn between laughter and duty, Starbuck at last leaped into the fray with a grin. Between them, Starbuck and Apollo were able to peel off and wad up all the sticky, clinging fuzz. Starbuck packed it into a tight ball and tossed it away. It instantly expanded to its original size and floated to the fungus, where it attached itself.

"What the hell was that thing?"

"I dunno, but it sure thought you were lunch. Hey- look out!"

Starbuck pulled Apollo out of the way, as several more dustbunnies floated past. Apollo's sense of the ridiculous got the better of him, and he began to laugh. Starbuck tried to keep a straight face, then lost it as another fuzzball drifted by.

"This is just too much!" he gasped, clinging to Apollo's arm for support. "Giant 'shrooms, killer fuzzies- what more can this frackin' planet throw at us?"

"Best not ask that," Apollo said, green eyes merry. "Who knows what lies in wait?"

The fit of giggles eased. The two stared at the shuttle, quiet for a moment. Then Starbuck spoke up.

"What the hell are we going to tell the Council?"

"Damn if I know." Apollo shook his head ruefully. The giant fungus gave a convulsive heave and swallowed another foot of metal. "They're really going to love this one."

"Yeah." Starbuck snorted. "Good thing those fuzzies weren't poisonous- almost thought I'd lost you." His tone was light and teasing, but genuine concern was plain in his eyes.

"But you saved me. My hero..." Apollo swooned dramatically into Starbuck's arms, with an overdone infatuated grin and a firm grip on his self-control. But it was no use, with Starbuck's arms around him, holding him close... It seemed the most natural thing in the world to reach up and kiss his best friend, who kissed him back eagerly. Apollo felt a rush of surprise, quickly drowned out by pleasure, and he twisted into a more comfortable position. His arms slid around Starbuck. I don't believe this is happening... please, Lord, if this is a dream don't let me wake up...

A long, breathless moment later, the kiss ended. "How'd that happen?" Starbuck's voice, uncharacteristically soft, trembled slightly.

"I'm not sure... but I liked it." Apollo held his breath, unsure how the other would react.

"Me too. Is it going to happen again?"

"It may, but then more would have to follow. Much, much more..."

"Good."

They kissed again, then Starbuck pulled Apollo farther away from the path of the incoming dustbunnies. They were coming in a constant stream now, attaching to every available part of the fungus. "Shall we find a likely spot?"

"Perhaps a clear space..."

"Not likely. I set the shuttle down in the only clear space available, remember? But they're only interested in the shuttle- you were just in the way."

"How flattering. I'm reduced to nothing but an obstacle in the path of a dustbunny."

The two found a mossy bank where they could still see the shuttle. Starbuck spared one last glance for the gracefully undulating fuzzies, then turned his brilliant gaze on Apollo.

"Now... where were we?"

A shiver raced down Apollo's spine. He'd never hoped to hear such an outright seductive tone of voice directed at him. Throat dry with anticipation, he reached out eagerly. Starbuck, suddenly hesitant, tilted his head for another long kiss. They sank together to the springy thick moss, kissing and caressing.

Things were just getting interesting when the roar of an incoming shuttle split the air. Swearing with frustration, the men scrambled to their feet.

"Couldn't they have waited?" Apollo straightened his jacket, glaring viciously at the newcomer. "We aren't even fifteen minutes late yet. One time- just one time- they send out an S&R party, and it would have to be now. Lousy bastards."

Starbuck brushed clinging moss off Apollo's uniform. Boomer emerged from the newly arrived shuttle, followed by Sheba. Both wore expressions of concern. Starbuck caught Apollo's arm as the Captain started off to meet them.

"Yes?"

"Shall we continue this later?"

"Most definitely, Lieutenant." Boomer and Sheba were within earshot.

"What happened down here? We got readings of a malevolent lifeform in the area, and were sent to assist."

"The life form, as you call it," Apollo's voice dripped acid, "is a giant fungus. It appears to eat metal, and Lieutenant Starbuck landed squarely in the middle of it. I suggest you remove your shuttle before it is lost as well."

"Huh?" Boomer whirled about to see the fungus creeping up over the landing gear. With a pungent oath, he sprinted for the shuttle, followed closely by the others. All four piled into the craft and Boomer fired the engines. The fungus went into abrupt retreat when the exhaust scorched it.

"Back to the Galactica we go, I suppose," Apollo sighed as the shuttle lifted off. "The Council's gonna love this..."

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