no_takebacks | Pilots Bingo: Alternate Endings

scifishipper.livejournal.com posting in

Season 4 Bingos:
Moving Forward Sometimes Takes a Few Steps Back by

taragel [PG]

Today's Cards
There is no twist today, as all cards are AU. To use today's cards, you can imagine any ending you like for the show at any time period. You can assume that the first Earth was not nuked and that the Fleet integrated with an existing society, or you can just go with the Daybreak ending (without the poof!) and write about pilots' life at the end of their journey. Or maybe Kobol is where they stayed. Whatever you like. All fics should be set post mini-series.

Happy Writing!

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From:

scifishipper.livejournal.com

Warning for non-canon, non-K/L character death

Journey, cabin (PG)

It takes two years for Lee and Kara to find his father’s cabin, nestled high on a hill overlooking a valley and a pristine blue lake. To their surprise, the cabin is unfinished, roughly-hewn wood bound together only to waist height. Scattered on the ground are tools and unused logs and the markings of a camp that has been left untended.

It’s Kara who stops him from searching the grounds. “Lee, let me look. I have a bad feeling.” Lee hasn’t even thought of what she now implies and he swallows against a hard knot in his throat.

Not yet.

***

Discovery, grief (PG-13)

Kara disappears into a thicket of trees and returns a few minutes later, her face grim.

“We’re too late.”

Lee can only stare, open-mouthed, trying to comprehend her words. “How?” He’s peering past her into the woods, his body both drawn and repelled by that spot.

Kara shakes her head. “I don’t know. Looks like it’s been a while.” She shoves her hands into her pockets and kicks bark off of one of the logs.

“Where’s Laura?”

“What?” Kara’s face screws up into confusion.

Lee scans the landscape. “There, on that rise overlooking the lake. I bet she’s buried there.”

***

A Place to Rest, lake (PG-13)

Sitting next to Laura’s grave, Lee can see the entire valley, densely packed conifers thinning out as they encircle the lake. He could imagine his father sitting here for hours telling Laura about his day.

“He must have known,” Lee says, rolling a stone between his fingers. Behind them is another grave, unfinished, with a Fleet-issue shovel laying nearby.

“He would have wanted to be next to her.” Lee rises and starts towards Bill’s remains, but Kara grabs his arm.

“No, Lee. Let me do it. You don’t want to see him.”

“Kara…”

“It’s not a request.”

He nods, grateful.

***

Mementos, memories (PG)

Lee’s fingers stumble over photographs and clothing as he goes through his father’s things, a sash full of medals, books with yellowed pages, mementos from Galactica. Each elicits its own bittersweet memory as he recalls the difficult journey they'd shared. He hopes he found peace in the end.

Kara’s heavy footsteps approach. “It’s done, Lee.”

He turns to find her covered in sweat and dirt, hair falling out of a loosened ponytail. He steps forward, tucks her hair back into place. “Thank you.”

Kara’s eyes fill with tears and she tucks herself into his arms. “It was better that way.”

***

Choices, do overs (PG)

“I thought I’d have more time,” Lee says later, tossing twigs into the fire.

Kara sits close to him. “The Old Man knew it was time.”

“He could have found us. There were things I wanted to tell him.”

“Don’t get do-overs, Lee. We all had our chance.” Kara flicks debris off her pants.

“You did.” He looks at her, wishing the same were true of his dad.

“I wasn’t ready to leave yet.”

“And you think he was?” It hurts to say the words.

“Laura was gone, Lee.” She meets his gaze, face illuminated by the fire. “You weren’t.”

Edited Date: 2012-05-05 08:57 pm (UTC)

From:

callmeonetrack.livejournal.com

PERFECT LAST LINE IS PERFECT!!! And how much do I love that she buried Bill to save her ~~delicate flower~~ Lee from the pain of seeing him that way. <3

From:

astreamofstars.livejournal.com

*sniffles* My poor gorgeous Laura and Bill. And poor Lee too. It's so sad. Thank the gods he still has Kara here, and they can go on and live their lives and remember them together.

/sidles out again

From:

scifishipper.livejournal.com

Awww. His daddy died! *pets Lee*

Thanks, bb! I really like this set. :)

From:

scifishipper.livejournal.com

*sadness*

You're so sweet to comment. Thanks, bb! They still have a little while. :)

From:

damao2010.livejournal.com

Oh, that is so beautiful and sad.
Loved that they are together and they seem to have found peace as well as love together. It was really touching that Kara spared him the pain of seeing his father like that. And the last line... I have no words. :)

From:

scifishipper.livejournal.com

Thanks, bb. I really love them here, even though it's so sad. The idea that Kara chooses not to poof is so powerful. *hugs*

From:

kdbleu.livejournal.com

Those are just lovely and real and so very sad.

“Laura was gone, Lee.” She meets his gaze, face illuminated by the fire. “You weren’t.”

This just say it all. :)

From:

rachelindeed.livejournal.com

This was so powerful. I love the way Kara is there for Lee in so many ways, and yet grief and - more bitterly - regret for the unresolved feelings between Lee and Bill still permeates the story. The last line is full of love from Kara, of course, but it still makes me wince a bit, that Bill was ready to leave Lee behind while Kara wasn't. I'm glad, though, that Lee's coming closer to making peace with the unfinished pieces of his and Bill's relationship. Kara is such a pillar of strength in this vignette. Beautifully written!

From:

scifishipper.livejournal.com

*HUGS* Thank you! <3

From:

scifishipper.livejournal.com

It does hurt that Bill left Lee and seemed to not even look back. In my head, I think he intended to, but maybe he had already said his goodbyes to Lee. IDK. Sadly, I don't think Lee had ever played the powerful role in Bill's life that he could have. It's very sad.

I always love receiving comments from you! You are so kind. Thank you so much!