It was just a solid gray lump on the ground. Who knew that such a small thing could calm the fury that had begun to consume him? The fairly large rock lay in his hand, fearful of what lie ahead. His fingers closed around it, as he desperately tried to transfer his anger to it. If the rock could have screamed, it would have at this point because his knuckles turned white. His flesh burned into the object, which had once sat alone on the ground, with no destiny. Using all the strength and force he could muster, he lobbed the lump as far as he could, exhaling a scream of frustration with it. It landed in the water, leaving ripples in its wake. He looked down at the ground for another victim and saw it, lying helplessly in the radioactive dirt that surrounded them all. This was not the earth they had seen, struggled for, or wished would save them. The scriptures, the gods, everything had betrayed them.

"This is the end of the line." He heard the words in his head, dissonance to the harmony that would never come. The water was still now, after the rocks ripples had dissipated and settled. The air was cold and he could smell the glory of this once prosperous world. No one moved and everything was at rest. What was left for them? Was this dead planet it? He stood, with a firm answer in his head.

NO.

They were a family and they had survived this long. He turned his body away from the water, the beach, and this planet in search of the only person that could ever make him feel again. There she stood next to the fire, looking up at the sky. It was dark now, though it had been overcast when they arrived. What could she be looking for up there? The burn of the fire brought feeling back to his body as he moved forward. He approached her and could see she had not moved since he left her.

"Laura, what are you looking at?" He just stood next her motionless body.

"As of right now, absolutely nothing." She turned away from the fire – away from him.

She did not walk far from the heated center of their camp, so he followed. Sitting on a large bolder, she slouched over and rested her face in two small, white hands that had appeared out of the large coat she had barrowed from him. Approaching her had been easy, but now he had to pull at the faith he had found and find a way to give it all to her. He kneeled next to her, put one of his hands on her knee, trying to find a way to comfort her. Perhaps I should try and find her a good rock to throw at one of those fraking skin jobs.

Shaking the thought from his mind, he put another hand on her back, rubbing small circles, "Laura, you don't have to stay here. We can go back to Galactica."

She lifted her head and looked down at him. Her cheeks were wet, "Bill, I would like to go home."

He reached up and wiped the freshly spilt tears from her perfect face. Taking her hands in his, he helped her off the lifeless planet without much effort. She had been silent for most of the journey back to the Galactica, though she thanked the pilot softly for flying them home. Opening the hatch for her, she stepped in. Removing her boots instantly, she walking to the couch in a robotic fashion. He watched her for a moment and then walked to the galley and started to boil water. Two teacups sat next to the burner, he figured she would like something hot to drink. He came back out to find that the coat he had lent her was on the floor, her feet were tucked up underneath her body and she was reading a book. Walking slowly at first because of uncertainty, he quickly realized she was trying to escape the reality and failure.

She wore a small smile on her face, "Searider Falcon" he smiled to himself as he read the cover. He sat next to her with the hot liquid and offered her a cup, which she took it from him, "Thank you, Bill."

"I can help you with that, Laura." Setting his teacup down on the table and putting his glasses on, she understood the gesture. She put her glasses down on the table along with her teacup and then handed the book over to him. He smiled down at her and put an arm around her. She laid a hand on his chest, while the other snuggled its way around his back. Laying her head gently on his shoulder, he began to read.

For now they would forget reality together. They need to be with one another, to heal, to gain strength, and to find the love to over come this final challenge.