Public Execution (A/R Drabble/Ficlet)
Title: Public Execution
Rating: T
Word Count: 300
Genre: A/U, set on Caprica
Sequel to Public Perception.
~ ~ ~
They came at her with scandals and allegations and innuendo. They called her a novice and a pacifist and a whore. They attacked her with words and bullets and even a bomb.
Bill had personally seen to Tom Zarek's execution for that particular grievance.
In the end, the slings and arrows of politics ended her. An overly-charismatic and over-promising replacement was about to take office and she would go back to being a private citizen. Perhaps she could return to teaching, if the schoolchildren didn't mind her lifelong security detachment crammed into tiny chairs in the back of the classroom.
It meant she could spend quiet evenings at home with an old man with a penchant for dusty books. Weekends at a winter resort where they would never leave the room, despite skis and snowshoes piled unused in a corner.
It meant she could remove the gold ring from the chain under her tailored blouse and place it on her finger, where it belonged. A life together without the trappings of office or the threat of being removed from it.
She scanned the gathered crowd of thousands, here to see her off as well as cheer on the next fool who thought he could make a difference. He stood in the cluster of VIPs at parade rest and wearing his finest greys. She risked a smile because, after all, what could they do to her at this point?
A bloviating talking head on CTV saw it, made the connection, remembered that the stone-faced Fleet Admiral had been in the background in that grainy photo, and within minutes, the speculation began.
"Let them talk," Bill whispered that evening. "I retired today too, remember?"
"Can we go to the priest tomorrow?" Laura asked hopefully.
"And become your husband?" Bill smiled. "Of course."
~ ~ ~
Rating: T
Word Count: 300
Genre: A/U, set on Caprica
Sequel to Public Perception.
~ ~ ~
They came at her with scandals and allegations and innuendo. They called her a novice and a pacifist and a whore. They attacked her with words and bullets and even a bomb.
Bill had personally seen to Tom Zarek's execution for that particular grievance.
In the end, the slings and arrows of politics ended her. An overly-charismatic and over-promising replacement was about to take office and she would go back to being a private citizen. Perhaps she could return to teaching, if the schoolchildren didn't mind her lifelong security detachment crammed into tiny chairs in the back of the classroom.
It meant she could spend quiet evenings at home with an old man with a penchant for dusty books. Weekends at a winter resort where they would never leave the room, despite skis and snowshoes piled unused in a corner.
It meant she could remove the gold ring from the chain under her tailored blouse and place it on her finger, where it belonged. A life together without the trappings of office or the threat of being removed from it.
She scanned the gathered crowd of thousands, here to see her off as well as cheer on the next fool who thought he could make a difference. He stood in the cluster of VIPs at parade rest and wearing his finest greys. She risked a smile because, after all, what could they do to her at this point?
A bloviating talking head on CTV saw it, made the connection, remembered that the stone-faced Fleet Admiral had been in the background in that grainy photo, and within minutes, the speculation began.
"Let them talk," Bill whispered that evening. "I retired today too, remember?"
"Can we go to the priest tomorrow?" Laura asked hopefully.
"And become your husband?" Bill smiled. "Of course."
~ ~ ~