The Price of Supremacy 11/12
Title:The Price of Supremacy
Series: Outside the Garden
Author: gidget_zb
Beta: alias424
Pairing: Adama/Roslin
Rating: NC 17
Chapter: 11/12
Warnings: Spoilers for the miniseries.
Summary: At times, he wondered if the universe enjoyed practising its cosmic balancing act with his life. One son dies, and he gains a daughter - one son lost to him, to be replaced by a wife. It seemed he was destined to never have everything at once .
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: Hai, totally starting to get separaton anxiety about this fic. Lol. And I still like, get to WRITE it daily so I can just IMAGINE how you guys are gonna feel about the hiatus of sorts between fics lol. So like, love it extra hard, in prepartion, yes?
Indestructible
She had paced, then sat with her feet bouncing nervously and her hands twisting around each other before she sprang up and paced once more, unable to exercise the nervous energy that was singing through her body. She hated not knowing. Not being aware of what was going on - and she knew in her heart, it’s was Bill’s way of reminding her that despite their new titles, he would not kowtow to her. “Frakking man,” she muttered, running a hand through her hair and turning to walk the length of the room once more only to halt at the sight of said man watching her with amusement.
“I’m only gonna say this once,” he began slowly, moving into the room as she stood watching him advance toward her steadily. “I was wrong.” He paused his movements, and she uncrossed her arms as his words sunk in - relief and exhaustion taking the place of the nervousness.
“Which makes me...?” She smiled as she looked at him and he began walking toward her again, shaking his head.
“I’d love to indulge your need to savour the moment, but we have more important things to discuss. Sit down.” He had reached her now, pulling a chair out behind her and gently pushing her down into it as he pulled one in front of it for himself. Her heartbeat increased as she silently watched him, waiting for him to drop whatever unpleasant news he had on her. What else could go wrong, really?
“I was trapped down at Ragnar - with a... what we thought was a man.” He tapped a finger to the side of his face where a row of nasty stitches marched up his temple, almost disappearing in his hairline. She felt her lungs seize, despite knowing that he was fine - and solidly here.
“What...”
“He - it was a Cylon. They look like humans now - right down to the blood in their veins.” He glanced down at his hands, spread in front of him and she reached out, placing her own in them.
“How did you know?” She breathed the question out, and his eyes met hers for a moment before he shook his head.
“I don’t know. I just - he was sick. And saying things... I just knew. He admitted it. Right before I killed him. He admitted it.” Bill was gazing down at her hands in his and she felt nausea rise in the back of her throat. He had been trapped with a Cylon and fighting for his life and the first thing she had greeted him with wasn’t concern, or even elation - but a demand that he respect her position.
“Oh Bill...”
“Took his body back, and Cottle tested it. Then we found a device in CIC - Cylon. Someone had planted it there, which means we had a Cylon on board. Baltar took random samples and did... well, something to them. Found out one was synthetic - ”
“Who?!” Laura gasped and her hands tightened around his as her heart pounded in her ears. It was a lot to absorb, and she fought to remain calm as she did so. Cylons looked like humans. And suddenly trust would be very hard to come by in this Fleet. Anyone could be a Cylon. Any single one of them could be lying to everyone, and taking secret glee in the destruction and misery all around them.
“Aaron Doral.” Laura felt a stab of relief at Bill’s answer. Not anyone they knew personally or even particularly cared about, then. Doral was an odious little man, and she hadn’t liked him.
“I don’t like him.”
“We have no proof, other than Baltar’s test - which frankly, I can’t make head or tail of. But the real issue is that we’re jumping, so what do we do with him? Take him along? Leave him in the brig?” Bill was looking at her seriously - looking to her, she realized and she felt an overwhelming weight pressing down on her - as if the walls and ceiling and floors were compressing around them. His hand tightened around hers and she nodded slowly.
“Leave him.”
“He could end up being an asset - we could question him - ”
“And prove what exactly, Bill? He’s a machine - they don’t exactly respond to polite queries.” She spoke evenly, pushing up into a standing position and looking down to meet his eyes. He pulled on her hands until she stumbled forward, her hips meeting his chest as she leaned against him heavily. His forehead rested just to the left of her breast and her hands freed themselves as she sighed and cradled his head in her hands. “We don’t have the time or inclination to deal with him. Leave him on Ragnar.” Her voice was soft now, but steady, and he tilted his head back for a moment, staring up at her before turning his head with a sigh and pressing a kiss to the center of her palm.
“An easy decision?” He questioned her as he too stood, and she found herself looking up at him with a heavy heart.
“Colonial One will stay in Galactica’s hangar deck.” She avoided his question and ignored the weight that still seemed all around them, she had to strain just to remain upright under its force.
“The fleet jumps away safely first - including your ship, Laura.” His voice was a stern rumble, and she nodded in agreement.
“Fine. I won’t be on it though - ”
“Yes you will. Laura - ” His voice was agitated, and he paused a moment to grip her shoulders tightly as he met her eyes. “I have to send my son out there because he’s a soldier. I have to stay here because I’m a soldier - don’t make me risk you too. I’ll meet you on the other side. Please, Laura.” He was pleading with her now, his voice soft and persuasive and she felt the weight increase ever so slightly, but enough to make her knees buckle and be thankful that his arms were holding her up. She shook her head silently as tears stung her eyes.
“Bill.... no. Please - don’t ask me to do this. Please just - ” He pulled her to him then; his arms tightening around her until she almost couldn’t breathe properly.
“I need you safe, Laura. Please.” His voice was a tiny whisper breathed into the hair by her ear, and she found herself singularly unable to refuse him anything in this moment. She buried her face into the shoulder of his uniform, nodding as her hands clutched at his shoulders in an effort to pull him closer.
“Fine.” She took a deep breath, and the air filled her lungs, along with a hint of soap and Bill, and the ache in her chest pulsated for a moment. Her hands shook, trembling against the fabric of his uniform, and she felt the world tilt five degrees left. “Okay.”
She smoothed her hands down his arms, concentrating on their movement and the stark contrast of her pale skin against his dark uniform, the way the light hit her wedding band - anything at all except the fact that she was dying and could lose him in the next few hours, the thought only making her want to die a little quicker. His lips were pressed against her temple, and she could feel tears sting the back of her eyes as her throat closed painfully. “Thank you. Thank you, Laura.” He pulled back an inch, allowing him to look down at her as she stared at the pip on his collar, concentrating on the different points and how the gold was tarnished just along the edges.
His fingers brushed along the underside of her jaw, and he forced her eyes to his. She blinked in a failed attempt to stop the tears from coming, and surprisingly, he smiled down at her - the full grin that she had fallen in love with almost on sight two years ago. She found herself smiling back through the tears, and when his lips met hers, she reached for him, her hands tracing the sides of his face - as she kissed him desperately, her fingers mapping out a tactile memory of this very moment. His beard was just starting to grow in, and it scratched abrasively - she could taste salt as her mouth opened under his, she could taste liquor and mint and him - soft, warm and sweet under her tongue. Her hands wandered, dancing across his shoulders and along his collar before brushing through his hair as they broke apart.
“I have to go.” Her whisper was jagged, the sound thick as she forced the words past her sated tongue. His hands tightened for just a moment, and he crushed her to him, his arms sliding around her as her own slid up his back, holding on just as urgently as he was. She stayed there for one heartbeat, and then two - three, four - before forcing herself backwards, stumbling when her heel caught the grating on the floor. His hand on her back was warm - a solid presence steadying her.
She ran shaking hands over her skirt, smoothing it before meeting his eyes again. He was gazing at her intently, and she could feel the weight of his gaze as if it were physical, something tangible tracing across her skin. “I love - ”
“Don’t.” His voice was rough and so low she almost didn’t hear it. “That makes it sound like goodbye.”
“No it doesn’t,” she chided gently, forcing a smile out, hoping the act alone would ease the ache. “It just sounds like I love you.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before stepping forward and pressing a small kiss to her forehead. “Be safe. I don’t think I could - if you - ” The ache flared suddenly, wrapping around her chest like a band of fire as his words filtered through her mind before branding into her heart, burning and twisting there alongside the sudden rush of hot guilt.
“We’ll be fine. We’ll all be fine. We’re Adama’s - right?” Her voice shook and she felt light-headed at the effort it took to pin a teasing smile in place. “Indestructible, Bill.”
He chuckled, the sound easing her pain only the smallest amount as the guilt rushed into the free space left in its wake. “Indestructible. I love you, Laura.” One more soft kiss, to the left of her cheek this time, and then a sudden chill as he left her personal space and cold air moved in to take his place.
“See you on the other side.” The words were whispered to an empty room, and she had to take a moment, pressing the heels of her hands to her face until red exploded just behind her retinas. She allowed herself thirty seconds to indulge the pain and absolute guilt she felt weighing into her, pressing down on her until she was sure she could feel the cancer like a tight, hot fist - punching through her ribcage and gripping her very heart. Twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine -
Slipping her glasses back on, she straightened, wiping the last traces of tears from her cheeks before she gathered her armour and exited the room, flanked by two marine guards.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-three minutes, forty-seven seconds.
She didn’t move, didn’t breathe, didn’t even blink as she stared out of the window, watching the empty space around them fill up with ships, blinking into existence in the middle of Gods knew where - twenty-four minutes now. Her hands were gripping the armrests - watching the void around them so intently, she barely noticed Billy sit in the seat next to her, didn’t notice him until he placed a warm hand over her cold, tense fingers, clawing their way into first-class leather seats.
“They’ll make it, ma’am.” His whisper was meant to reassure - but Laura was gripped by a sudden panic. There had been at least three basestars that she had counted - staring out in horror as she watched Vipers spew forth from Galactica in a continuous volley. Galactica herself had trembled, each time her guns had targeted and obliterated the enemies before her. So many Cylons....
“Madame - Laura, look!” Billy’s excited voice took her from her thoughts and she looked out to see Galactica herself, battered, bruised and practically hissing her irritation as she appeared just to the right of Colonial One. She looked like the most beautiful ship Laura had ever seen, and her heart seemed to ache in her chest as she stared out, her eyes running from stem to stern in a quick check.
“Billy, can you go tell the pilot - ”
“I’ll have him re-dock right away, ma’am.” Billy started to get up, and Laura grabbed his arm at the last second, forcing him to pause and frown down at her.
“Thank you, Billy.” She smiled as she whispered before turning her eyes back to the large behemoth beside them. She was just a ship - but so much more than that, Laura knew. She would be their salvation. Their serenity. She would be the one thing that pulled Bill through - when the time came. An ache stole across her chest at the thought and she pressed a hand above her breast, feeling her heart beating erratically.
Fifty-thousand people. It wasn’t a lot. Wasn’t nearly enough, but it would have to be.
~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~
They had done it. Barely.
The thought was enough to propel him through the emergency repairs, through the dispatching of DC crews, through the trek down to the Life Station to hear Doc Cottle’s reports on the injured pilots, and to stand watch over those who hadn’t made it.
Tigh nearly growled when he attempted to return to the CIC - informing him in no uncertain terms that he had the watch - and didn’t Bill have a son and wife to check on? Bill had agreed, somewhat blearily - tripping along his corridor until he saw two marines stationed outside his quarters. After returning their salutes, he lifted an enquiring brow and waited for an explanation.
“Yes, sir. You ordered us to escort President Roslin back to her ship, and remain with her, sir,” one man was quick to report, still standing at attention despite Bill’s orders to stand at ease.
“Well sir - the thing is, the President - she asked - ” A glance was exchanged between the two men, and Bill fought a smile - he could well imagine how Laura had asked.
“She’s inside, sir,” the other marine finished, and Bill nodded, stepping forward only to be halted by the other marine.
“Uh, sir?”
“Yes?”
“She also has her aide, and I believe a priest in there. Just thought you should know.” The marine nodded briefly before staring straight ahead, and Bill nodded in acknowledgment before opening the hatch and forcing his feet to move painfully slowly across the room.
His goal was the couch - but he only made it halfway there when Laura spotted him, her face lighting up in a smile before she stood and launched herself at him, her arms winding around him tightly. He chuckled - or tried to - and his own arms pulled her closer. Her face pressed into his shoulder and her hands tightened on his back as she stood there, clearly uncaring about the audience behind her. “One shot deal, Adama. Next time - I am in CIC and there’s not a frakking thing you can say about it.” Her whisper was fierce, and low - and so very Laura that he almost laughed out loud.
She stepped back, shooting an apologetic smile over to the two figures seated on the couch - one shifting uncomfortably and the other sitting serenely, smiling at both of them. Laura led him to a chair before pushing him down none-too-gently. “Elosha, this is Commander Adama - I believe you met at the ceremony - but honestly, that seems forever ago now.” Bill struggled to sit forward but the priestess raised her hand with a small smile.
“No, don’t get up, Commander. We have all been tested today, but perhaps none so much as you. I am grateful.” Her words were smooth and flowed nicely - Bill sank back at Laura’s hand on his shoulder, and nodded in response. Priests - priestesses - they had always made him feel uncomfortable, like they knew all the answers and he barely understood the questions in the first place.
“Elosha will be overseeing the ceremonies.” Laura’s voice was soft in his ear as she pushed a glass of water into his hands. When did she get this?
“Ceremonies?” he repeated dumbly, and he felt Laura’s gaze on him, intent and searching.
“I assumed you would like to honour those that - the uh... sort of a funeral, but also a memorial service - for everyone.” He stared up at her before taking a calm sip of water and clearing his throat.
“No - that is a great idea. Good. Good - we can have it on the starboard hangar - half the crap from the decommissioning is still up -”
“Billy, can you arrange for that? - First thing tomorrow, of course. I think we should probably move as fast as we possibly can on this - we won’t have time to waste, and I assume we need to put more space between ourselves and the Cylons.” Billy was scribbling notes furiously as he nodded.
“Absolutely Madame President.” Billy stood as he spoke, holding out an arm for Elosha, who smiled and accepted it gratefully. “I’ll escort you back to Colonial One, ma’am.” He nodded respectfully, and Laura shot her aide a grateful smile. As he passed by, Billy leaned closer and whispered something to Laura, and she squeezed his shoulder before following them to the door with warm smiles and murmured thanks. The clang of the hatch shutting barely penetrated the haze Bill found himself in as he sank further into the chair.
“Come on, big boy - you can’t fall asleep there.” Laura’s voice was teasing and her hands were surprisingly strong as they pulled him up to his feet.
He passed a moment running a hand along the side of her face as he felt a sudden burst of relief soar through him. “I am so glad you’re here.”
“Shh... I know.” Her voice was soft in his ear as she led him into the sleeping area, her hands making quick work of his jacket before she pushed it off his shoulders and tossed it on a nearby chair.
“Hey - I need that for tomorrow!” he protested, as she pushed him into a sitting position and stared down at him with a frown.
“It’ll be fine,” she responded absent-mindedly as she tilted her head and frowned harder. “Well - honestly, how in the frak do those come off?” She was glaring at his boots and he swallowed a laugh, choking slightly as she transferred the glare back up to him. “Well it’s not like I’ve ever had to remove those before.”
“Unlike the jacket,” he responded calmly as he leaned over and pulled the Velcro fastenings off in order to reach the laces.
“Yes, unlike the jacket. Need some help with your pants?” she asked sweetly, and he laughed as his fingers unlaced the boots before yanking them off and dropping them by the side of the rack. Her heels joined them, and she pushed him across his rack until his back was against the wall, but he couldn’t really complain since the free space was now taken up by her. “Three hours - not a second more, because you need to relieve Saul and I - well, I shouldn’t even be taking three hours, to be honest.” She sighed as she stretched out beside him, and he ran a hand along her waist until he could tuck his palm against her hip, grinning when she moaned and arched into his touch.
“You deserve sleep too, Laura. Frak - I feel....”
“Old?” she teased gently, and he laughed in the darkness, using his hand at her hip to pull her closer, until he could bury his face in her hair and just breathe for a moment.
“Incredibly lucky,” he whispered, and she made a small sound of agreement in the back of her throat as she wrapped her arms around whatever part of him she could reach - which happened to be his arm at the moment.
“Thank you.” Her voice was soft in the semi-darkness and Bill shook his head, even though she couldn’t see it -
“No, thank you.” She turned her face to him, her hands still wrapped around his forearm as her eyes drifted shut. I love you. He fell asleep before he could even begin to form the words, his hand still pressing into her hip and his face in her hair as he was lulled to sleep by the sounds of her deep, even breathing.
Series: Outside the Garden
Author: gidget_zb
Beta: alias424
Pairing: Adama/Roslin
Rating: NC 17
Chapter: 11/12
Warnings: Spoilers for the miniseries.
Summary: At times, he wondered if the universe enjoyed practising its cosmic balancing act with his life. One son dies, and he gains a daughter - one son lost to him, to be replaced by a wife. It seemed he was destined to never have everything at once .
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: Hai, totally starting to get separaton anxiety about this fic. Lol. And I still like, get to WRITE it daily so I can just IMAGINE how you guys are gonna feel about the hiatus of sorts between fics lol. So like, love it extra hard, in prepartion, yes?
Indestructible
She had paced, then sat with her feet bouncing nervously and her hands twisting around each other before she sprang up and paced once more, unable to exercise the nervous energy that was singing through her body. She hated not knowing. Not being aware of what was going on - and she knew in her heart, it’s was Bill’s way of reminding her that despite their new titles, he would not kowtow to her. “Frakking man,” she muttered, running a hand through her hair and turning to walk the length of the room once more only to halt at the sight of said man watching her with amusement.
“I’m only gonna say this once,” he began slowly, moving into the room as she stood watching him advance toward her steadily. “I was wrong.” He paused his movements, and she uncrossed her arms as his words sunk in - relief and exhaustion taking the place of the nervousness.
“Which makes me...?” She smiled as she looked at him and he began walking toward her again, shaking his head.
“I’d love to indulge your need to savour the moment, but we have more important things to discuss. Sit down.” He had reached her now, pulling a chair out behind her and gently pushing her down into it as he pulled one in front of it for himself. Her heartbeat increased as she silently watched him, waiting for him to drop whatever unpleasant news he had on her. What else could go wrong, really?
“I was trapped down at Ragnar - with a... what we thought was a man.” He tapped a finger to the side of his face where a row of nasty stitches marched up his temple, almost disappearing in his hairline. She felt her lungs seize, despite knowing that he was fine - and solidly here.
“What...”
“He - it was a Cylon. They look like humans now - right down to the blood in their veins.” He glanced down at his hands, spread in front of him and she reached out, placing her own in them.
“How did you know?” She breathed the question out, and his eyes met hers for a moment before he shook his head.
“I don’t know. I just - he was sick. And saying things... I just knew. He admitted it. Right before I killed him. He admitted it.” Bill was gazing down at her hands in his and she felt nausea rise in the back of her throat. He had been trapped with a Cylon and fighting for his life and the first thing she had greeted him with wasn’t concern, or even elation - but a demand that he respect her position.
“Oh Bill...”
“Took his body back, and Cottle tested it. Then we found a device in CIC - Cylon. Someone had planted it there, which means we had a Cylon on board. Baltar took random samples and did... well, something to them. Found out one was synthetic - ”
“Who?!” Laura gasped and her hands tightened around his as her heart pounded in her ears. It was a lot to absorb, and she fought to remain calm as she did so. Cylons looked like humans. And suddenly trust would be very hard to come by in this Fleet. Anyone could be a Cylon. Any single one of them could be lying to everyone, and taking secret glee in the destruction and misery all around them.
“Aaron Doral.” Laura felt a stab of relief at Bill’s answer. Not anyone they knew personally or even particularly cared about, then. Doral was an odious little man, and she hadn’t liked him.
“I don’t like him.”
“We have no proof, other than Baltar’s test - which frankly, I can’t make head or tail of. But the real issue is that we’re jumping, so what do we do with him? Take him along? Leave him in the brig?” Bill was looking at her seriously - looking to her, she realized and she felt an overwhelming weight pressing down on her - as if the walls and ceiling and floors were compressing around them. His hand tightened around hers and she nodded slowly.
“Leave him.”
“He could end up being an asset - we could question him - ”
“And prove what exactly, Bill? He’s a machine - they don’t exactly respond to polite queries.” She spoke evenly, pushing up into a standing position and looking down to meet his eyes. He pulled on her hands until she stumbled forward, her hips meeting his chest as she leaned against him heavily. His forehead rested just to the left of her breast and her hands freed themselves as she sighed and cradled his head in her hands. “We don’t have the time or inclination to deal with him. Leave him on Ragnar.” Her voice was soft now, but steady, and he tilted his head back for a moment, staring up at her before turning his head with a sigh and pressing a kiss to the center of her palm.
“An easy decision?” He questioned her as he too stood, and she found herself looking up at him with a heavy heart.
“Colonial One will stay in Galactica’s hangar deck.” She avoided his question and ignored the weight that still seemed all around them, she had to strain just to remain upright under its force.
“The fleet jumps away safely first - including your ship, Laura.” His voice was a stern rumble, and she nodded in agreement.
“Fine. I won’t be on it though - ”
“Yes you will. Laura - ” His voice was agitated, and he paused a moment to grip her shoulders tightly as he met her eyes. “I have to send my son out there because he’s a soldier. I have to stay here because I’m a soldier - don’t make me risk you too. I’ll meet you on the other side. Please, Laura.” He was pleading with her now, his voice soft and persuasive and she felt the weight increase ever so slightly, but enough to make her knees buckle and be thankful that his arms were holding her up. She shook her head silently as tears stung her eyes.
“Bill.... no. Please - don’t ask me to do this. Please just - ” He pulled her to him then; his arms tightening around her until she almost couldn’t breathe properly.
“I need you safe, Laura. Please.” His voice was a tiny whisper breathed into the hair by her ear, and she found herself singularly unable to refuse him anything in this moment. She buried her face into the shoulder of his uniform, nodding as her hands clutched at his shoulders in an effort to pull him closer.
“Fine.” She took a deep breath, and the air filled her lungs, along with a hint of soap and Bill, and the ache in her chest pulsated for a moment. Her hands shook, trembling against the fabric of his uniform, and she felt the world tilt five degrees left. “Okay.”
She smoothed her hands down his arms, concentrating on their movement and the stark contrast of her pale skin against his dark uniform, the way the light hit her wedding band - anything at all except the fact that she was dying and could lose him in the next few hours, the thought only making her want to die a little quicker. His lips were pressed against her temple, and she could feel tears sting the back of her eyes as her throat closed painfully. “Thank you. Thank you, Laura.” He pulled back an inch, allowing him to look down at her as she stared at the pip on his collar, concentrating on the different points and how the gold was tarnished just along the edges.
His fingers brushed along the underside of her jaw, and he forced her eyes to his. She blinked in a failed attempt to stop the tears from coming, and surprisingly, he smiled down at her - the full grin that she had fallen in love with almost on sight two years ago. She found herself smiling back through the tears, and when his lips met hers, she reached for him, her hands tracing the sides of his face - as she kissed him desperately, her fingers mapping out a tactile memory of this very moment. His beard was just starting to grow in, and it scratched abrasively - she could taste salt as her mouth opened under his, she could taste liquor and mint and him - soft, warm and sweet under her tongue. Her hands wandered, dancing across his shoulders and along his collar before brushing through his hair as they broke apart.
“I have to go.” Her whisper was jagged, the sound thick as she forced the words past her sated tongue. His hands tightened for just a moment, and he crushed her to him, his arms sliding around her as her own slid up his back, holding on just as urgently as he was. She stayed there for one heartbeat, and then two - three, four - before forcing herself backwards, stumbling when her heel caught the grating on the floor. His hand on her back was warm - a solid presence steadying her.
She ran shaking hands over her skirt, smoothing it before meeting his eyes again. He was gazing at her intently, and she could feel the weight of his gaze as if it were physical, something tangible tracing across her skin. “I love - ”
“Don’t.” His voice was rough and so low she almost didn’t hear it. “That makes it sound like goodbye.”
“No it doesn’t,” she chided gently, forcing a smile out, hoping the act alone would ease the ache. “It just sounds like I love you.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before stepping forward and pressing a small kiss to her forehead. “Be safe. I don’t think I could - if you - ” The ache flared suddenly, wrapping around her chest like a band of fire as his words filtered through her mind before branding into her heart, burning and twisting there alongside the sudden rush of hot guilt.
“We’ll be fine. We’ll all be fine. We’re Adama’s - right?” Her voice shook and she felt light-headed at the effort it took to pin a teasing smile in place. “Indestructible, Bill.”
He chuckled, the sound easing her pain only the smallest amount as the guilt rushed into the free space left in its wake. “Indestructible. I love you, Laura.” One more soft kiss, to the left of her cheek this time, and then a sudden chill as he left her personal space and cold air moved in to take his place.
“See you on the other side.” The words were whispered to an empty room, and she had to take a moment, pressing the heels of her hands to her face until red exploded just behind her retinas. She allowed herself thirty seconds to indulge the pain and absolute guilt she felt weighing into her, pressing down on her until she was sure she could feel the cancer like a tight, hot fist - punching through her ribcage and gripping her very heart. Twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine -
Slipping her glasses back on, she straightened, wiping the last traces of tears from her cheeks before she gathered her armour and exited the room, flanked by two marine guards.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twenty-three minutes, forty-seven seconds.
She didn’t move, didn’t breathe, didn’t even blink as she stared out of the window, watching the empty space around them fill up with ships, blinking into existence in the middle of Gods knew where - twenty-four minutes now. Her hands were gripping the armrests - watching the void around them so intently, she barely noticed Billy sit in the seat next to her, didn’t notice him until he placed a warm hand over her cold, tense fingers, clawing their way into first-class leather seats.
“They’ll make it, ma’am.” His whisper was meant to reassure - but Laura was gripped by a sudden panic. There had been at least three basestars that she had counted - staring out in horror as she watched Vipers spew forth from Galactica in a continuous volley. Galactica herself had trembled, each time her guns had targeted and obliterated the enemies before her. So many Cylons....
“Madame - Laura, look!” Billy’s excited voice took her from her thoughts and she looked out to see Galactica herself, battered, bruised and practically hissing her irritation as she appeared just to the right of Colonial One. She looked like the most beautiful ship Laura had ever seen, and her heart seemed to ache in her chest as she stared out, her eyes running from stem to stern in a quick check.
“Billy, can you go tell the pilot - ”
“I’ll have him re-dock right away, ma’am.” Billy started to get up, and Laura grabbed his arm at the last second, forcing him to pause and frown down at her.
“Thank you, Billy.” She smiled as she whispered before turning her eyes back to the large behemoth beside them. She was just a ship - but so much more than that, Laura knew. She would be their salvation. Their serenity. She would be the one thing that pulled Bill through - when the time came. An ache stole across her chest at the thought and she pressed a hand above her breast, feeling her heart beating erratically.
Fifty-thousand people. It wasn’t a lot. Wasn’t nearly enough, but it would have to be.
~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~
They had done it. Barely.
The thought was enough to propel him through the emergency repairs, through the dispatching of DC crews, through the trek down to the Life Station to hear Doc Cottle’s reports on the injured pilots, and to stand watch over those who hadn’t made it.
Tigh nearly growled when he attempted to return to the CIC - informing him in no uncertain terms that he had the watch - and didn’t Bill have a son and wife to check on? Bill had agreed, somewhat blearily - tripping along his corridor until he saw two marines stationed outside his quarters. After returning their salutes, he lifted an enquiring brow and waited for an explanation.
“Yes, sir. You ordered us to escort President Roslin back to her ship, and remain with her, sir,” one man was quick to report, still standing at attention despite Bill’s orders to stand at ease.
“Well sir - the thing is, the President - she asked - ” A glance was exchanged between the two men, and Bill fought a smile - he could well imagine how Laura had asked.
“She’s inside, sir,” the other marine finished, and Bill nodded, stepping forward only to be halted by the other marine.
“Uh, sir?”
“Yes?”
“She also has her aide, and I believe a priest in there. Just thought you should know.” The marine nodded briefly before staring straight ahead, and Bill nodded in acknowledgment before opening the hatch and forcing his feet to move painfully slowly across the room.
His goal was the couch - but he only made it halfway there when Laura spotted him, her face lighting up in a smile before she stood and launched herself at him, her arms winding around him tightly. He chuckled - or tried to - and his own arms pulled her closer. Her face pressed into his shoulder and her hands tightened on his back as she stood there, clearly uncaring about the audience behind her. “One shot deal, Adama. Next time - I am in CIC and there’s not a frakking thing you can say about it.” Her whisper was fierce, and low - and so very Laura that he almost laughed out loud.
She stepped back, shooting an apologetic smile over to the two figures seated on the couch - one shifting uncomfortably and the other sitting serenely, smiling at both of them. Laura led him to a chair before pushing him down none-too-gently. “Elosha, this is Commander Adama - I believe you met at the ceremony - but honestly, that seems forever ago now.” Bill struggled to sit forward but the priestess raised her hand with a small smile.
“No, don’t get up, Commander. We have all been tested today, but perhaps none so much as you. I am grateful.” Her words were smooth and flowed nicely - Bill sank back at Laura’s hand on his shoulder, and nodded in response. Priests - priestesses - they had always made him feel uncomfortable, like they knew all the answers and he barely understood the questions in the first place.
“Elosha will be overseeing the ceremonies.” Laura’s voice was soft in his ear as she pushed a glass of water into his hands. When did she get this?
“Ceremonies?” he repeated dumbly, and he felt Laura’s gaze on him, intent and searching.
“I assumed you would like to honour those that - the uh... sort of a funeral, but also a memorial service - for everyone.” He stared up at her before taking a calm sip of water and clearing his throat.
“No - that is a great idea. Good. Good - we can have it on the starboard hangar - half the crap from the decommissioning is still up -”
“Billy, can you arrange for that? - First thing tomorrow, of course. I think we should probably move as fast as we possibly can on this - we won’t have time to waste, and I assume we need to put more space between ourselves and the Cylons.” Billy was scribbling notes furiously as he nodded.
“Absolutely Madame President.” Billy stood as he spoke, holding out an arm for Elosha, who smiled and accepted it gratefully. “I’ll escort you back to Colonial One, ma’am.” He nodded respectfully, and Laura shot her aide a grateful smile. As he passed by, Billy leaned closer and whispered something to Laura, and she squeezed his shoulder before following them to the door with warm smiles and murmured thanks. The clang of the hatch shutting barely penetrated the haze Bill found himself in as he sank further into the chair.
“Come on, big boy - you can’t fall asleep there.” Laura’s voice was teasing and her hands were surprisingly strong as they pulled him up to his feet.
He passed a moment running a hand along the side of her face as he felt a sudden burst of relief soar through him. “I am so glad you’re here.”
“Shh... I know.” Her voice was soft in his ear as she led him into the sleeping area, her hands making quick work of his jacket before she pushed it off his shoulders and tossed it on a nearby chair.
“Hey - I need that for tomorrow!” he protested, as she pushed him into a sitting position and stared down at him with a frown.
“It’ll be fine,” she responded absent-mindedly as she tilted her head and frowned harder. “Well - honestly, how in the frak do those come off?” She was glaring at his boots and he swallowed a laugh, choking slightly as she transferred the glare back up to him. “Well it’s not like I’ve ever had to remove those before.”
“Unlike the jacket,” he responded calmly as he leaned over and pulled the Velcro fastenings off in order to reach the laces.
“Yes, unlike the jacket. Need some help with your pants?” she asked sweetly, and he laughed as his fingers unlaced the boots before yanking them off and dropping them by the side of the rack. Her heels joined them, and she pushed him across his rack until his back was against the wall, but he couldn’t really complain since the free space was now taken up by her. “Three hours - not a second more, because you need to relieve Saul and I - well, I shouldn’t even be taking three hours, to be honest.” She sighed as she stretched out beside him, and he ran a hand along her waist until he could tuck his palm against her hip, grinning when she moaned and arched into his touch.
“You deserve sleep too, Laura. Frak - I feel....”
“Old?” she teased gently, and he laughed in the darkness, using his hand at her hip to pull her closer, until he could bury his face in her hair and just breathe for a moment.
“Incredibly lucky,” he whispered, and she made a small sound of agreement in the back of her throat as she wrapped her arms around whatever part of him she could reach - which happened to be his arm at the moment.
“Thank you.” Her voice was soft in the semi-darkness and Bill shook his head, even though she couldn’t see it -
“No, thank you.” She turned her face to him, her hands still wrapped around his forearm as her eyes drifted shut. I love you. He fell asleep before he could even begin to form the words, his hand still pressing into her hip and his face in her hair as he was lulled to sleep by the sounds of her deep, even breathing.