I do not own any of the characters below – I am only borrowing them and will not be financially benefitting from the story in anyway. No copyright infringement is intended.

Authors Notes: Written in response to a challenge over at A/R drabbles on LJ – thought I'd post it here too.

Spoilers: Set during Guess Whats Coming to Dinner.

Laura's thought process when she finds out the she has been betrayed by Tory

I Will Only Be Their President

I stand in my make-shift office aboard Galactica and listen to the words of my guard…I only hear the first part and feel my knee's buckle, I lower myself to the chair.

'Tory Foster has been seen entering Baltar's layer…with startling frequency.'

I know instantly Tory has been sleeping with him, call it female intuition. That and fracking Baltar appears to be somewhat of a pastime for women aboard this vessel.

What is it about that smarmy little creep that draws women in? I just don't get it.

The guard leaves me alone with my thoughts – I feel betrayed.

Emotionally maimed by someone I care for deeply.

I have so few people that I can place my trust in, surely that should mean that the odds are on my side?

Clearly not.

This is why I can't show them how I feel – the people I care about – the people I love.

If I open my heart, they could hurt me.

Even Bill.

Most of all Bill.

The love I feel for him is consuming, so utterly powerful, my chest aches at the prospect of never being able to tell him how I feel…the way he told me in sickbay.

He thought I was asleep, but I heard him – plain as day.

Yet I just can't…what if he hurt me? An injury to a heart so exposed…it would likely kill me before my cancer.

Humanity needs their dying leader.

Tory enters, her demeanour uncharacteristically cheerful – now I know the reason why.

I straighten my shirt, mentally preparing myself to shatter her illusion of friendship – the way she has done mine.

I will lead them all to salvation. It is written.

But only as their president - personal feelings be damned.

Love is weakness and at this point, I can show none

End Notes:

Sorry - that was a little depressing! Reviews are always welcomed :0)