Title: Rest, Relaxation and Exploration

Author: GEM

Date written: 8/25/06

Rated: T

Word count:

Story Timeline: Season 2.5

Category: fluff

Warnings: none

Characters: Roslin/Adama

Summary: Cottle is concerned for the President. She needs a break and Bill is there to help her take a break.

Spoiler: Some season two episodes mentioned but nothing big.

A/N: Answer to the A/R Live Journal Fluff challenge, originally but it turned it to an exploration of fluff, This started over the summer and I'm posting it now, Real life got in the way. I hope you enjoy Thank yous go to my beta Amanda--you are the best!

The Workings of a Beautiful Plan to Get Away

Bill Adama did his best not to run through the corridors to sickbay. He tried to stay calm he knew he should because he honestly didn't know what was going on yet. It could be that Cottle wanted to discuss something complete routine. The CMO did call him down from time to time to discuss those sorts of things. Bill Adama knew this had to be at the very least slightly different because of Cottle's tone of voice. This wasn't to be a CO to CMO conversation. This was going to a Bill Adama to Jack Cottle conversation.

When he walked through the hatch he immediately walked over to the man in question. "What can I do for you Doctor?"

"Ah, Admiral. Thank you for coming so quickly. I think we should have this conversation in private."

Adama gave Cottle a perplexed look but followed him nonetheless. Cottle entered his office and then closed the door once Adama had entered.

"Bill, I need your help with something. I'm breaking a few medical ethics codes by having this conversation but it's for the best."

"What are you talking about?"

"I believe the correct question would be who? The answer to that question would be Laura Roslin."

Bill nodded in understanding. It all makes sense now.

Bill sat down across from Cottle. "What's the matter with her now, doctor?"

She's stressed out, over worked, running herself ragged." Cottle opened his desk drawer and began to search for something. Bill was sure it was cigarettes. He produced the packet a moment later, pulled out one and lit it.

"Jack, we're all over worked."

Cottle took a drag of the lit cigarette and blew it toward the ceiling. "Why, thank you for stating the obvious Bill. She's going to kill herself. She needs to take a break."

"And you think…" Adama looked away and then it finally dawned on him. His head shot up "NO." He cared for Laura but their relationship was new he wouldn't betray her trust by joining this little club of merry men.

"Bill, a break wouldn't hurt you either. She listens to you."

"She listens to you too, Jack."

"Yes she does, if she feels like it. She hasn't recently."

"All right. What did you have in mind?"

"48 hour passes delivered to both of you. She'll come to you first and be all Presidential. You'll be all sweet and I'll help you swoop in for the kill." Jack shot Bill a knowing look. "You in."

"I'm in. I still think this is a bad idea"

"When was the last time you were alone with your girlfriend?"

In all honesty Bill couldn't remember the last time they had spent time together other than the occasional stolen kiss or the few free minutes after a scheduled meeting. Time alone with Laura would be a great opportunity to explore their new relationship. "I…don't …Jack."

"I rest my case Bill. Go make some plan for a romantic vacation with your girl."

---

"What the frak is this?" Laura read the note from Doctor Cottle again. "He can't be serious. Billy."

Billy entered the office area slowly. He had talked to both the Major and Admiral but wasn't sure if he could pull this off. "Yes, Ma'am."

"What's this note from Cottle?"

"He thinks you need a break. I agree."

"I don't have that luxury Billy and you can keep your opinions to yourself thank you very much."

"Yes, ma'am." Billy sounded a bit deflated just as instructed.

"I'm sorry Billy, there's just so much to do." She smiled at him sweetly.

"It all right ma'am I understand."

What's next on the agenda Billy?" Laura put the note from Cottle aside and opened the folder at the top of the pile of her desk.

"You have a meeting with Admiral Adama in twenty minutes we need to go."

"When did that get put on the schedule?"

Billy took a breath, and now for my next trick. "It's been there ma'am."

Laura gathered her folders and rose from her desk. She knew very well that the meeting wasn't on the schedule last night but she would play along. "Well, we better not keep the Admiral waiting."

"No ma'am."

----

Bill went directly to his quarters after his meeting with Cottle and began to pack and make arrangements for the next two days. He had to find a place that would be relaxing, safe and out of the way of the media. Cloud Nine was out of the question because of the media and the quorum. That left the Rising Star.

He called in a few favors; spoke with Billy, the Presidential security detail and Tigh, once all the arrangements were made. He finished packing the only thing to do now was wait for Laura to arrive for their "meeting."

----

Laura was deep in thought on the way over to her meeting on Galactica. What was so important that Billy would rearrange the schedule and not tell her? Granted she hadn't seen Bill in a social situation for quite some time. They were all busy. She missed him terribly and had been bitchy towards Billy lately. Maybe Cottle was right. She needed a break. She just didn't have the time. At least she would be able to see Bill and take a few moments for herself. She longed to be in his arms for just a few moments. He had the ability to take her in his arms, hold her there and take all the stress away. She needed that today. She just wanted to run to him and stay in his arms forever.

She felt the shuttle being pulled to the deck moments later the hatch opened and she stepped onto the deck Billy two steps behind her and her detail in front of her.

"Billy"

"Yes Ma'am."

"This wasn't on my schedule so whatever you did to make this possible thank you."

Billy smiled and blushed. "I never was very good at lying."

Laura smiled and went ahead.

---

Bill stood up the moment he heard the knock on the hatch. He opened to find Laura standing in front of him. "Madame President."

"Admiral so nice to see you."

"And you, please come in." Adama extended his hand to help her over the threshold. The moment their fingers touched Laura felt the electricity she had missed over the passed week surge through her again.

She sat on the leather couch and Bill sat beside her. "Madame President, I have a confession."

"Oh?" He took her hand and looked into her deep green eyes.

"I had Billy bring you over here so I could talk to you face to face."

Laura stomach dropped and knotted. "I see."

"I talked to Cottle."

At with that admission it all made sense to her. "Oh, did you." Her tone was cold but Bill saw the playful glint in her eye.

He drew her closer to him and captured her in an embrace. "I did." He returned playfully. "It seems you are not listening to your doctor so I took upon myself to make some arrangements."

"Bill." She began to protest.

He put a finger against her lips. "Ssh. Listen. How does two days of uninterrupted relaxation and fun sound?"

"In all honesty, wonderful but it will never happen Bill."

"Yes it will Madame President." Laura jumped out of Bill's arms and stood up at the sound of the new voice in the conversation.

"Doctor." Daggers shot from her eyes as she stared at the new person in the room.

Bill stood up and put his arms around her. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "We're going Laura."

She turned around in his arms and smiled at him. "Oh, I see you two ganged up on me, cute gentlemen very cute. Very well. If you would excuse us, doctor." Laura shot Jack a smile and he got the message.

"Enjoy your time you two." Jack Cottle stifled a laugh as he exited the room.

"Exactly how long do we have?"

"Two days, a room on the Rising Star with guaranteed privacy." Bill smiled. Laura could never say no to him when he did that.

"That's not long enough." She said as she nibbled at his ear. "But it'll have to do. When do we leave?"

"In a few minutes, I have to take care of something first." Bill leaned down and kissed her.

They broke apart a few moments later. Laura was smiling like a schoolgirl "I missed that."

"There's more were that came from later." Bill's lips brushed her again. She looked up at Bill and smiled.

"I still have to pack."

"You already have."

"No… I …Billy." It was all coming together now. "You had yourself a little club, didn't you Adama."

"I admit I was a member of a club but not the founder. Let's go."

Bill grabbed his bag, put his arm around her and led her out of his quarters. Billy was waiting outside the door with a bag for Laura which Bill took from him.

---

During the shuttle flight to the Rising Star Bill and Laura sat in each other's arms and enjoyed each other's company. "I don't know when this all started for us." Laura admitted out of the blue.

"Are you sorry it did?"

"No, I…I need you Bill. I don't know when or how but this seems right to me. I used to think that I could handle everything on my own, that I didn't need anyone but I was wrong. I'm glad I found you."

"I'm glad you let me in." Bill had to resist the temptation to kiss then and there but they couldn't risk it on the shuttle. Their intimacy would have to wait for later.