Authors Note

Ok thanks to a fabulous idea from my friend, Kelly, I have written a small two-chapter story based on New Caprica and the jump away from it. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters what-so-ever, so please don't sue. If you're still keen on suing me, then do it over the story that you think is the best. Leave me a little bit of ego as I go to prison.

William Adama gripped the console in front of him in anger. There were thousands of people down on the planet below him, needing help. His help. And he couldn't provide it. The thought caused him significant pain. His duty, since the start, had been to protect the fleet, no matter what. Yet, here he was, aboard the Galactica while the majority were toiling away on the muddy, dreary surface below. The sudden appearance of the Cylons did not surprise him. Adama knew that, at some point, they would return. He had told Baltar as much, but the President had not listened to him. Instead, he ordered the settlement on what was now called "New Caprica".

Bill gritted his teeth, as the thought of the slimy frakweasel brought a vile taste to his mouth. This would never have happened if he allowed Laura to rig the election. Laura. His heart constricted in horror. The thought of leaving the thousands of souls down there was emphasised when he realised that one of those souls was Laura. Looking up at Dradis at the multiple cylon baseships, his thoughts travelled back to the day of the groundbreaking ceremony.

Bill squinted as he slowly got out of the raptor. He had grown accustomed to the dark confines of the Galactica and so was not prepared for the shining rays of light that hit him. Although sunny, the settlement itself looked as if a permanent grey cloud had settled over it. Definitely not the paradise Baltar had pushed, he thought grimly to himself. Bill had not wanted to come down for the groundbreaking ceremony. Coming down and seeing it would only mean that it was true, and that the plan for a new life was going ahead. It seemed that most had jumped onboard at the idea of a peaceful life, ignorant to the threat of the Cylons. Baltar had filled their heads with dreams, dreams that he could never fulfil, no matter how much he tried.

Sighing with defeat, Bill slowly moved away from his transport and planted his boots firmly in the New Caprican earth for the first time. They sank as soon as they made contact, and Bill resigned himself to walking on the terrain, if only for tonight. As he made his way slowly past the rows of tents, he was met with smiling faces. It was amazing what false hope could do to people, their faces fresh with excitement and anticipation. A new day to them, he realised bitterly, but the constant wars and battles had hardened his view considerably. The happiness wouldn't last, he knew it.

The sudden shouting and screaming brought him to a stop, and he tensed, waiting for some sort of sign on danger. His military training kicked in, and he edged towards the tent from which the noise was coming from. Quietly he edged the flap open and peered inside. It was gloomy inside, the only light coming from hastily cut windows in the fabric and the flap which Bill now held in his hand. His sigh of relief was drowned out by the volume of noise in the room. It was a school, he realised. The children were screaming and shouting, throwing pencils and sticking out their tongues. Glancing around, Bill sought out the teacher of the unruly class. Whoever it was, he felt sorry for them. As if the thought was voiced aloud, a figure entered from the other side of the tent, and Bill felt his heart leap into his throat.

Laura Roslin stood on the other side of the room, her arms crossed protectively around herself. She was wearing a red dress, which highlighted her figure. She was talking intently to a woman carrying a child, her expression thoughtful. Bill pulled the flap closed slowly, not wanting to disturb her lesson, but her eyes caught his before could completely slip away. Her emerald gaze pierced through him, searching. Suddenly, they were alight with affection and warmth and she quickly said something to the woman, before striding purposely between the tables to reach him.

Pulling the flap delicately back, Laura stepped out into the New Caprican light. Her dress was now vibrant as she turned towards Bill, and her eyes reflected joy.

"Bill." There was warmth in her voice as she acknowledged the man before her. Bill smiled in return, holding out his hand in greeting.

"Laura." He replied, waiting for her to shake his hand, in the same fashion that they had done when she was President. It was a reflex to him now. However, Laura glanced at his hand and shook her head, smiling. Instead, she drew up close and pulled him into a tight hug, her arms wrapped securely around him, her face nestled into his shoulder. Bill stood uneasily for a second, surprised at her boldness, but then slowly wrapped his own arms around her and returned the hug.

"It's so good to see you. Are you here for the ceremony?" Laura asked, pulling away slowly and placing her hands lightly on her waist.

"Yeah," Bill replied, looking around at the tents, "President Baltar ordered it."

His head was turned, but he still caught the grimace and hard glint that occupied her eyes for the slight second that he announced Baltar's new title. He decided to quickly change the subject. He did not like to see Laura so unhappy.

"How are things down here?" he asked lightly, taking in his surroundings. Laura smiled gratefully at his change of subject, and pulled her arms around herself, before replying;

"Aside from the cold, the disease, the tents, the frakwit over in my old ship?" Her tone was bitter and derisive, and Bill winced slightly. She noticed his uncomfortable reaction and looked apologetic. Bill waved it off.

"Yeah, aside from all that."

Laura laughed, and looked out over their surroundings.

"I'd love to talk more, but unfortunately I've got lessons. Why don't we meet later so we can catch up?"

"I'd love to Laura," Bill stated, touching her forearm lightly. He was delighted when she didn't pull away, but instead smile shyly at him.

"Until then Bill." She said softly, then leaned forwards and kissed him on the cheek. He stilled in response, not quite believing it. He was sure that it was a dream, until she pulled away and her eyes glittered with amusement. She then went back inside the tent, leaving him grinning. Maybe New Caprica isn't that bad after all, he thought to himself as he slowly made his way to the grounded Colonial One.

"Sir!" Helo's voice brought Adama back to the reality of the situation. Glancing around, he realised that he was back in CIC, with all the crew (what were left) looking to him for some sort of decision. Lee was still on the line, shouting something about jumping.

He did not want to jump. That would leave all those thousands to a certain death, but what other choice did he have? He promised himself in that moment that he would rescue them. He promised himself in that moment that he would rescue Laura. She would live and she would come back to him, he was sure of it. If that meant he had to go down to that damned planet himself.

"I'll come back for you Laura." Bill whispered fiercely, before looking up at the dradis.

"We're leaving," He ordered, his eyes cold at the decision, "but we'll be back."

They had to be, for their fleet. He had to be, for Laura.