"I came here because, I don't want you to worry about me. And I know what you have to do."
He pulled back at her words, searching her face. Her arms tugged him back to her, knowing she'd be unable to stop the flood of tears if she had to look directly at the fear in his eyes. Fear that this was it for them, fear that she would outlive him, fear that she wouldn't. A small part of him wouldn't have minded going together. She placed a kiss in his hair, murmuring an "I love you" into his ear.
Three breathy little words were nearly his undoing. He clutched her tighter, burying his face in her hair and wishing, though he'd never say it aloud, that it was still her hair. The wig simply wasn't the same. Bill seriously considered the consequences of taking what remained of his small family, all of whom were present, and piling them into the raptor. Let the crew of Galactica fend for themselves. Half of them were responsible for this anyway. But even as he held Laura, he knew that he couldn't do that. He couldn't abandon ship. She knew it too- her mind had already processed all the options. He pulled back, but didn't completely take his arms from around her waist. He couldn't let go of her yet.
He must have looked confused at the slight smile on her lips, because she explained. "I rarely wish for things like cameras anymore, but this time, I'd take one. Their faces," she nodded towards their family behind him. He glanced over his shoulder and almost laughed aloud. Lee and Kara were slightly green and Saul was wearing the same expression he'd worn over coffee- two parts pride and three parts complete and utter disbelief. The Chief wore a sad smile.
"I don't want to leave you," she whispered when he turned back to her.
"You have to." He said gently. "You were right. I have to defend this ship. You have to lead the people. And I need to make sure that you get out of here safely."
"But you..."
"I'll be fine," his hands caressed her back, trying to soothe her.
Tyrol's radio crackled in the background, but Bill was too focused on the woman before him to make out the words.
"We've got about two minutes," Tyrol reported to them.
"Mr. Tyrol, take them back the way we came. You go with them, Colonel." Bill ordered, his eyes never leaving Laura's.
"Come too far to walk out on you now, Bill," Saul responded.
"What are you doing, Sir?" Kara asked, trying to find an answer in the silent conversation that the Admiral seemed to be having with the President.
"Making sure the President's raptor gets out of here safely." Bill replied, briefly taking his eyes away from Laura to study the rest of the room. "Go." He ordered, and the room sprang into action.
"Bill, Zarek wants you dead. He always has." She choked on the word. He enfolded her in his arms again.
"Listen to me. He won't succeed." He murmured.
"How do you know?"
"Because unlike Zarek, I have something, or rather, someone, to live for." He kissed her lightly. "You and I will be together again. I promise."
"You'd better survive this," she threatened weakly.
"Same to you," he told her. "Now go on."
"Admiral, Madame President, please." Baltar's voice broke into their goodbye. Bill's eyes hardened when he looked at the man, briefly wishing he hadn't cast the deciding vote to let him live. But then he knew that Baltar was right. Whatever they were about to face, it was time to do so.
Holding Laura just a little tighter, he placed one last kiss on her lips. His 'I love you' was barely more than a whisper across her skin, but she felt it. Through her tears, she gave him a radiant smile. He helped her into the raptor.
"I'll see you soon." His voice was a promise.
"I'll be thinking of you." She replied as the door closed.
Because that's what love is. His own words flashed across his brain as he turned to pick up his gun. Thoughts.