Spoilers- Speculation on some storyline rumors for 2nd half S3
Disclaimers-I don't own these characters, Ron Moore does
Chapter One: The Best Defense
"Tell me more about the final five."
"I've already told you everything I know."
"Which is next to nothing, Doc. A prophesy spouted by a baseship hybrid foretold that the identities of the Final Five would be revealed by the Eye of Jupiter. Once in the temple this revelation incited madness in the 'chosen one', a Cylon model three. That's not very helpful. Did you happen to learn the identities of any of the final five before she downloaded?"
Gaius's voice drawls with condescension, "No, Major Adama, I did not."
"I'm not a Major anymore." A disgruntled sigh, gives way to an irritated tone, "I cast aside my military career to defend you, becoming a pariah in the process."
"I don't recall asking you…"
"No one, and I do mean no one, was going to represent you fairly. I'm here because I believe in the judicial system created by our forefathers….because I believe that humanity shouldn't, and probably won't, survive without that integrity. So if it's not too much to ask, how about you help me come up with some convincing arguments for your continued existence?"
"So you don't believe I'm innocent?"
"No." It's not so much a response as a scoff. "But colonial law mandates that every citizen is entitled to a fair trial and, in times past, you've proven a valuable resource. Just consider yourself lucky that my personal opinion of you is irrelevant."
"I beg to differ. Your poor opinion of me is the exact reason that I respect you council."
"Really?"
"Really. The key to winning any argument is to know how your opponent thinks. You hate me as they do, maybe more so, which makes your input invaluable to my defense."
"Hmm. Alright then, convince me."
"A crime is not merely composed of an action in and of itself, but rather, the sum of the deed and the intent to do harm. I've confessed to my role in the genocide, but I was a pawn without intent."
"I may be able to argue that position with the original attack on the colonies, but it'll be a hard sell. Especially given the events of New Caprica and your involvement with the Cylon regime."
"Roslin issued a general pardon for those caught in the moral cross-fire of New Caprica, did she not?"
"She issued that to the fleet at a time when you weren't a part of it, which means you're not eligible. You'll be called to answer for your crimes of collaboration on New Caprica and who knows what they'll levy against you from your time on the baseship. What will you say in your defense?"
"I loved her. Caprica. And if love can exist between human & Cylon, then it's not illogical to believe that we could peacefully coexist. The Cylon vision of New Caprica was not baseless."
"Even if I believed you, which I don't…"
"There's evidence aboard this very ship to support my theory, even if you don't believe in my personal experience. Helo and Sharon…they not only love one another but that love produced a child, a melding of our species. As a scientist, that alone tells me that our enemy is more human that we care to believe…that this war is not between man and machine but a war between two peoples…two cultures. I was seduced by the idea that we could find common ground."
"In other words, love made you blind, is that it? That's the angle you want me to play?"
"It's a concept I need you to understand, because if I can persuade you, then swaying a jury should be easy."
"And how do you intend to do that?"
"By putting it in terms you, and they, can relate to…by painting the love of a Cylon in personal colors."
"I'm not following."
"It's been nearly two months now, hasn't it? Since Kara died."
"Be very careful Doctor" his tone a warning in and of itself.
"When she died, can you honestly tell me, that you didn't wish for just a moment that she was a Cylon…that she would come back to you?"
"Kara died a hero. I won't have you sully her memory…"
"I'm not trying to rub salt into the wound, but in order to convince a jury, it is imperative that you understand…that we personalize it so 'they' understand my motivations. So I'm asking you: If Kara returned, would love her despite knowing she was a Cylon?"
The silence weighs heavy for almost a full minute.
"You would. I can see it in your eyes. In the way you've changed your life since her death."
"Enough."
"Love is not a force that can be controlled. It commands us. My capacity for logic and reason was out matched by an emotion that I put no faith in. I was caught unawares and I found myself defenseless."
"You're full of shit."
"And you never answered the question. Would you still love her?"
"I've gotta give you credit, Doc…it's a mind-frak of a defense strategy. You truly are a genius. But you're also a bastard!"
"Perhaps so, but at least I have a plan."
"Always be prepared…"
Lee's voices cuts across itself, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Dee calmly hits the stop button on the recorder and turns to face her husband.
"Listening. It's what I do, Lee. I listen." She pops the tape out and places it gently on the desktop. "I thought it might be nice to hear the sound of your voice without the possibility of us fighting."
"Dee these are recordings of confidential briefings in preparation for the most important trial in human history. My Gods Dee, do you realize that if anyone found out that you were listening to this that Baltar could call for a mistrial?"
"That would be great for you wouldn't it? I mean your client would get off…or at the very least, it'd buy him more time."
Lee rubs his temples, "Why are you here Dee? You left a month ago without any explanation and you've been avoiding me ever since. Now suddenly today I find you riffling through my case files. Obviously you're not here to address the breakdown of communication and trust in our marriage, because if so…you're going about it the wrong way. So I'll ask again, why are you here?"
"I came to bring you these." She hands him a neat pile of papers stapled at the top corner.
"Divorce papers?" He's only slightly shocked and mildly saddened. "Huh, I guess I was wrong. You are here to discuss the failings of our marriage."
"I'm tired of the looks and whispers. If it's not Baltar's trial, it's your deserting the military, or…"
There's no bitterness in his voice, just weary resignation when he interrupts, "So you were proud to be my wife when I was a hero and you're ditching me now that I'm reviled is that it?"
"I fell in love with Lee 'Apollo' Adama and that man no longer exists."
"No, you fell in love with Apollo and now you're just disappointed that Lee Adama isn't enough." Lee shakes his head, "I'm sorry I couldn't be that man Dee. I loved the idea of him too…the perfect son, the model soldier, the strong leader, and the loving husband. I know I've come up short on a lot of those counts, especially the last one. But Apollo was never really who I was, and I'm tired of pretending to be something I'm not."
"No, you stopped trying the day she died. The Cylons were able to kill Starbuck and Apollo in one fell swoop."
"This isn't about Kara." Lee sighs with exasperation, willing her to understand, "It's not that I can't be that man anymore Dee; it's that I never was to begin with! This is about us, about our life, and our marriage. You're the one asking for the divorce…you're the one who's been pulling back…pushing away…what do you want, Dee? Just tell me."
"I want you to answer the question?" His brow crinkles in confusion and she turns to stare at the tape on his desk, "Would you still love her?"
Looking in her eyes, he knows that his answer will make no difference to the state of their marriage, it's over regardless. "Yes." She smiles at him softly, perhaps as a sign of respect for his honesty. He turns to his desk and quickly signs the papers dissolving their union. Lee hands them back to her with a gentle kiss of apology.
She smiles thoughtfully but doesn't say goodbye when she leaves.
Author's Note: I'm used to writing strictly romantic fluff, but I'm taking a stab at drama and mystery. There will eventually be a drop of romance and a naughty smut chapter, but I'll try to stay on task. Reviews are sincerely appreciated.