Disclaimer: Battlestar Galactica and its characters are the property of Ronald D. Moore, David Eick, Sci-fi Network and NBC. No copyright infringement is intended.

"I have good days and bad days, but don't look so worried, I'm not dying today."

"I wasn't worried," Bill said, which made Laura grin because he definitely looked worried.

"What can I do for you?" Laura sniffed and moved her hand to a more comfortable position.

"You were right about Cain. Pegasus had a civilian fleet with her. Fifteen ships." As Laura was putting her glasses on, Bill said, "Cain stripped them for parts, supplies, people."

Her face became a mixture of shock and sadness. She tried to push herself up further from the couch turned bed to try and look less like she was dying.

"I wish I could say I was surprised, but it's who she is. She's playing for keeps. You gotta do the same." Her voice sounded sick and weak.

"What's gotten into you?"

"What?"

"You've become so bloody-minded."

"I know that as long as Cain lives, your survival is at risk. I know that," Laura said, sounding much stronger than she did before, but only to be broken by a cough. She quickly brought her hand up to cover her mouth and raised her other hand up to her mouth as well. Her coughs suddenly became strong and her body was arched up in the air. Then she was wracked by a series of coughs and was left gasping for air.

Bill got her a glass of water from her bedside table and motioned to Laura to see if she wanted a drink. He brought the glass to her lips and slid his other hand around her back, helping her sit up to take a sip. He gently laid her back down and placed the glass back on the table.

Laura slid her glasses off because she could sense that official business talk was over. She then put her hand on the side of her face.

"What can I get you?"

"A new body," Laura said playfully, trying to take some seriousness out of the conversation, "Perhaps one of those young Cylon models from the Resurrection ship?" She raised her eyebrows to make it a joke.

"I can't see you as a blonde," Bill said, going along with Laura's playfulness.

"You'd be surprised," Laura said, punctuating it with a chuckle. She could see where this was headed just by the look on Bill's face, so full of tenderness and dare she say it, love.

Bill offered Laura his hand and she took it, not caring that Bill was squeezing her hand harder than he ought to be. She also noticed his hand had a slight tremble to it.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" Bill asked, hoping she hadn't given up yet.

Laura raised her eyebrows and hummed "Mmm-hmm." That is when she saw it, a single tear making its way down Bill's face. She started to get knots in her stomach and her eyes began to tear up. She didn't even realize he cared that much about her until now.

Bill placed his other hand over her hand and squeezed it, while giving her a sad smile. He let go and started to leave. She put her hand to the side of her face and was trying to get the tears to stop.

He was almost to the doorway when she called back, "Commander," Bill quickly wiped the tear off of his face, which broke her heart even more, and turned back toward her, "She won't hesitate to kill you. Don't let her." She let out a little sob and a smile, which she hoped would cover up the sob, and he walked out.

Bill was trying to get his emotions under control, which he was having trouble doing, so he leaned against the wall just outside Laura's room. He was standing there for a couple minutes when he heard soft sobs coming from what sounded like Laura. He took a couple more deep breaths and quietly walked back into her room. He didn't know what to expect, but what he saw surprised him. Laura was curled up in a ball, lying on her side, and she was shaking. He went back to the spot he was at earlier and sat down. He lightly caressed her arm trying not to startle her, but even that made her jump. She turned toward him and he could tell that she had been heavily crying. Her eyes were all red and she had tear stains on her cheeks.

"Laura, are you alright?" Bill asked hesitantly, knowing it was a dumb question to ask because she was obviously not alright.

"No. No, I'm not, Bill," Laura said in a very shaky voice. Talking in a hoarse voice while crying made her cough and she looked like she absolutely hated herself right then. "Gods, doesn't this ever stop," she said angrily while tears started to fall down her face at a quicker rate. Bill looked miserable, not knowing what to do or if he should do anything. "Bill…"

Hesitantly, Bill stood up and walked to the other side of her bed. He slipped his shoes off and unbuttoned his jacket, putting it on one of the chairs close by. When she hadn't protested, he decided this was what she wanted him to do. He carefully slid onto the bed next to her and she snuggled up against his side. He put his arm around her and gently moved his hand up and down her back. She put her hand on his chest and just let it lay there.

Just as they had gotten comfortable, as if the gods hated her, she was wracked by another series of coughs. These ones were stronger and all of them had her bent over up in the air. It was obvious that the cancer had spread to her lungs. Bill was tenderly rubbing her back as she was coughing, murmuring things like, "It's going to be okay. Just breathe. It will pass."

Once the coughing had subsided, Laura lied back down and started crying into Bill's shoulder. Bill let her cry for a few minutes, but then he decided to do something, even though he knew that he probably shouldn't.

"Laura, look at me," Bill said gently, but when she didn't comply, he put his hand underneath her chin and lifted her head up so her eyes were on his. When he knew he had her attention, he rolled onto his side and slowly brought his lips to hers. The kiss was tender and sweet. When he parted from her lips, he didn't move far, their lips just a breath away from each other. He could feel her smile.

He quietly whispered as to not break the moment, "We're going to get through this, Laura. Together. You're going to be okay." He gently placed another soft kiss on her lips and he barely heard her say, "Thank you."

Once they had settled back into their original positions, she said, "If you don't mind me asking, why do you still wear your ring? Not that I object, I'm just wondering."

After a few moments of thinking, Bill said, "It has become a part of me. I wear it as a personal reminder of my failure, so I never do it again. I also wear it because it is a reminder of why I fight like I do. In war you get scars, this is my own personal scar from life."

Bill felt Laura nod and he heard her say, "I'm so sorry; you shouldn't have to watch me suffer like this. But, could you please stay with me for the rest of the night?"

Bill nodded and said in his husky voice, "Yes, I can. In fact, I would love to."

"Thank you, Bill."

"For what?" Bill asked.

"For making a dying woman happy," Laura said sincerely.

Bill sadly nodded and said, "Goodnight, Laura."

"Night."

I hope you enjoyed it! Reviews are appreciated!