AFTERMATH : THE JOURNEY BEGINS

          When they returned a short time later it was to see two very contrite men and a smiling Ila.  "Don't you two have something you would like to say to the boys?" she asked as soon as they reached Harry and Roark, who were placing platters of food on the long tables as everyone began to take seats.

          "Harry, Rory, we are very sorry that we didn't come in immediately as we should have," Sirius said. 

          "No job, or mission should ever be more important than family.  As our Godsons, the two of you should have come first."

          That got them two arched brows as the two of them looked from one to the other, before looking at each other.  Everyone who knew them, and that was everyone, knew they were speaking telepathically to each other.  Suddenly, Roark gave a shrug, turned his head to look at them.

          "Ever since we could remember," he began, "you two have spent most of the time away, the few times you WERE home, we always knew you loved us.  When I was hurt so bad not so long ago, I wanted you to be there, but I knew you wouldn't be."

          "Roark--"

          Harry held up a hand to stop him from saying more.  "Regardless, we knew he was in your minds the entire time," he told them, then shrugged.  "We knew you were alive, if not alright.  Rory's dreams have been telling him that much."

          Looks of surprise.  "You dreamed of us?"

          Roark shrugged.  "It was nothing big, just glimpses of you on Carrilon with us."

          "Now," Harry moved suddenly to hug both of them.  "No worries, Uncle Sirius, Uncle Remus.  If we have realized anything about either of you, it's that neither of you can stand to be doing nothing for very long."

          Snorts from several sources.  "Isn't THAT the truth," Thorin said.  "Now that we have that settles, can we eat?  This smells absolutely wonderful, boys, and I don't know about anyone else, but I'm starving."

          That brought a round of laughter as everyone that was still standing found a seat.

                                              cccVccc

          "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!!!" came the exclamation from the head of the table.

          "Admiral, please calm--"

          Roark threw a glare at Dumbledore, silencing him.  "Did the attack on our Starfleet...destroying all but three of our Battlestars, and our Home Worlds, which are now under Cylon control and completely unlivable, teach you NOTHING?"

          "It has actually taught us quite a bit, Admiral, and that is why I we," Uri waved around the table, though McGonagall and a few of the other Councilors were frowning as they sat back in their chairs, watching the show, "have been discussing this proposal--"

          "Let's be clear, Uri," Minerva sat forward suddenly, "YOU put this proposal forward, with Albus, and Vinturi backing you."

          He waved her away.  "Yes, yes, Minerva.  As the case may be, we have decided that is is the best course to take."

          "So let me be clear on this," he growled as he sat forward, "you want to throw away our arms, destroy all three Battlestars...our only means of defense, by telling the Cylons we wish to live here...in PEACE?  You want to offer those pilots who led us through the Nova the highest Honor of our medals, the Kobol Star Cluster, which I do believe they deserve, just so you can put this before our people?"

          "Yes."

          He looked at each of them in turn, some of them looking away form his intent forest green gaze.  Then, slowly, he got to his feet.. reached behind him to pull his jacket off the back of the chair and pulled it on, making all the pins and medals he wore on it jangle, before he looked back at them.

          "If you do this...if you actually think to propose to our people that we throw away our arms and destroy the Battlestars, you do so with my UTTER CONTEMPT."

          One final glare at the twelve councilors before he turned and walked out of the conference room.