A/N: When I first saw this episode, during this scene my attention was immediately drawn to Zarek and I knew I had to write this story. It took me a while to get around to it, but here it is! Thanks to Jalikaatje for the beta'ing!
Disclaimer: I almost forgot, but, sadly enough, nothing in this universe is mine. Except for Ariane, but that's a whole different story... Please review though!

"I am dying." Laura told the Quorum, whose members were looking at her pleadingly, like children looking for guidance, through the prison bars. Between the reverent and elated face of the Gemenon representative Sarah, the saddened faces of her guard and Billy and the shocked face of Tigh, there was one face that didn't hide a shocked mind, but a calculating one. While most people in the room were still processing the news, his mind was already thinking about it, evaluating, assessing what this meant for everything else, for all his plans, for the fleet, for the people. And the first thought that went through this Tom Zarek's head was there's no stopping her now. He had only to look around him to see the hero-worship her announcement had inspired. Her announcement that she was the prophesied leader. Her announcement that she was dying.

His eyes swept over the masses, clamouring for their leader, trying to get closer to her, touch her, shake her hand. And then he looked at her. Seeing the sadness in her eyes, the empty smile she put on for the devotees crowding in front of her cell, the death looming behind that expression, and he knew: it's really about the people. She wasn't just a power-hungry schoolteacher. She was a power-hungry schoolteacher because she saw it as her only option. She didn't want the power, she wanted the people's salvation. It really was her sole purpose.

And she'd be able to keep it, the power she needed. Because she was dying. No, not because she was dying, because she'd told them she was dying now. Because she had told them she was dying at a time when it seemed like a sign. When it inspired devotion, instead of fear. When it worked to her advantage.

And as the marines started removing them from the brig, he looked back at her. Nicely played, Madame President, he thought. Nicely played. And he admired her.

But when you're dead…

Fine