A Joining of Hands
Author: Opal Smith
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Spoilers: Through to the start of Season 3
Beta: My very patient husband!
Author's notes: This story takes place during the missing year, shortly before the Cylon occupation of New Caprica. The full names of some of the characters included in this story have not to my knowledge been specified in the show so where necessary I've come up with a first or middle name that I hope fits the character.

Prologue

Karl was only allowed to see Sharon through the toughened glass of the cell designed to hold and observe her. Although she was watched continuously, Karl alone noticed that as their child thrived in her womb she was starved of care and attention. To everyone else she was a thing to be tossed away when it's usefulness as a military asset ended.

Karl felt he was the reason she was in this terrible situation and this weighed heavily on his mind…

Their child was born early and for far too short a time they were completely happy. The three of them cocooned in their own world while around them swirled the noise and confusion of the busy sick bay. Hera was their precious child and Karl felt shame that he had ever thought she would be anything less than perfect. Hera was so beautiful he found it difficult to accept that she was too frail to stay with them.

Sharon totally closed in on herself after Hera's death. She lay still and silent on the bed in that bare cell, staring blankly at the ceiling as day by day her strength visibly seeped away, totally unreachable.

Karl was completely bereft in the face of Sharon's extreme despair. He would spend his off duty time with her, pacing the walkway which surrounded the cell. During his vigil Karl would often stop and pound at the physical barrier between them with his bare hands, shouting out her name in a futile attempt to reach her. He didn't care what reaction his persistence caused, even Sharon's hatred was better than silent surrender. Though his outbursts became so much part of the routine even the guards ignored him and kept their rifles at ease.

Each time he approached her cell with a kernel of hope only to leave exhausted and despondent. Then came an evening when he arrived to find the door flung open and the cell empty. Even though he could plainly see Sharon wasn't there, Karl went into the cell turning round and round searching for any clue to explain what had happened. As pure terror gripped at his heart unwanted thoughts led him to the only conclusion that Sharon must be dead. There was no one there because there was no longer a prisoner to guard.

All fight and purpose left him then. He just wanted to join her, to be close to her. Karl lay down on top of the dishevelled bed and stretched out onto his back, his head filling the dent in the pillow carved by Sharon.

Although he heard the sound of footsteps approaching, boots clanging on metal walkways echoing along the corridor, Karl didn't move a muscle. His eyes remained fixed on the inset spot lights that had so mesmerised her as if he had taken Sharon's place in defiance of her fate.

"Helo…"

The voice was soft, hesitant but unmistakable. And there standing in front of him was Sharon. She was gaunt and her face tired but when Sharon's eyes met and held his gaze he saw the spark of life signalling her willingness to return.

Then he noticed that just behind Sharon stood Admiral Adama waiting and watching with one heavily armed marine guard in attendance...

Proposal

Karl lay as still as he could, barely even breathing and it felt as though he could stop time in the place which held the centre of his world. He could float forever draped around Sharon's warm sleeping body in the dark cocoon formed by the blankets they were burrowed under. For although Admiral Adama had agreed to stand down the night watch when Karl was with Sharon this was the only way they were assured privacy.

Then he heard the automated click as the lights burst into life, the harsh brightness that even penetrated the close weave of the blankets they hid beneath. Karl moved closer to Sharon burying his face in her hair to shut out the glimmer of light that signalled the end of their precious time together. Sharon stirred as his hold on her tightened and deftly turned her body so that they were facing each other.

"I wish you didn't have to go…" Sharon whispered as she pressed her body against his and planted a sweet kiss on his lips.

"You know I don't want to…" Karl kissed her back hard, as his all consuming passion for Sharon was instantly reawakened by her touch. If only he could stop the voice which shouted over his desire telling him he had to leave, that duty called.

Reluctantly, Karl pulled away from their embrace and lay on his back, still unable to let go just yet. Sharon leaned into his side, her head cradled on his chest.

"You can't leave anyway," Sharon said as she raised herself on to her elbow and started to move her body over his, "You're my prisoner."

Sharon trying to make light of this crazy frakked up situation wasn't going to work this morning. She'd been locked up for too long, let out of her cage only for trips to the washroom or to visit the old man. Something had to change and soon because Karl knew this was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He grabbed hold of Sharon's arms and pulled her to him. Sharon looked down at him smiling triumphantly in anticipation of her victory.

"Marry me," the words were out of his mouth even before the incredible solution to their situation had a chance to fully form in Karl's head. He had never considered proposing marriage to anyone before and now it seemed the most natural thing to do. Sharon was still, as she stared down at him through the half light. Then in a sudden movement she pulled back the blanket and turning lay back down her head in the crook of his shoulder. The words Karl had just spoken hanging in the air between them.

"Even if the Admiral agreed, marriage is a human ceremony, I can't do it Helo, I can't make offerings to gods I don't believe in," Sharon turned towards him again and Karl could clearly see the sadness in her eyes. "I have Boomer's memories of a marriage on Caprica. The woman captured by her intended and his friends and taken by force to the Temple as her mother cried out her name."

"Then you also know that she wasn't forced. It was just stupid tradition, a re-enactment of what happened in the ancient times, and things were already changing…"

The distant sound of a hatch being opened and then the familiar beat of boots on metal ended their conversation as they quickly grabbed items of clothing strewn around the bed. Karl was certain the marine guard assigned to day duty purposely took his time and made so much noise because he felt awkward about Karl being there.

They were just decent and standing facing the door when the guard finally arrived. Karl touched Sharon's arm and as she turned to face him he took her in his arms and leant in to steal a last kiss before cradling her too him. They continued to stand pressed up against each other as the cell door was unlocked and swung open. Karl could feel Sharon start to move away and just before he finally let her go, he whispered, "It's only the ceremony you don't like, right?"