Title: Wash Over Me
Author: GEM
Date written: 9/24/05
Rated: K+
Word count: 531
Story Timeline: Season 2
Category: Dradis Challenge
Warnings: None I can think of
Characters: Lee
Summary: Dradis Contest: Secrets Revealed Week # 8 - Lee has a secret.
Spoilers: 33, KLG 1+2, Scattered, Resistance, and Home
"I don't really know when it started. Probably during the first very long days. I spent a lot of time listening to that voice, ever thirty-three minutes. Every time I heard that voice a calm would wash over me."
"I understand." Laura Roslin listened intently to her military advisor. It was clear to her that he needed to get some things off his chest. This seemed to be the best opportunity as they waited for the storm to pass and day to break.
"Madame President, I'll be honest with you. I don't even know how I feel towards her. I'm concerned because I believe it maybe stronger than friendship."
"Why would that concern you?"
"I don't want to hurt Billy's feelings. I don't want to push her away."
Laura nodded in understanding. "That's very noble of you Captain."
"I don't mean to put you in this position. The regulations don't allow Dualla and I to have any sort of unprofessional relationship. I need a sounding board."
"I'm honored, Apollo. I don't mind."
Lee's voice was shaky when he spoke again; no doubt the memories were haunting him. "When my father was shot, I was held back by the marines. Colonel Tigh helped to cushion his fall. When I broke free from the Marines I Cradled my father's head in my arms, screaming to him and crying over him. Dee ran down to him and held his hand. She was crying too. After that day, I came to rely on her for information about his condition. I somehow felt out of place when I checked on him in sickbay. I couldn't comfort my father after he was shot. Dee was the one who watched over him for me."
"Every morning as I walked to the ready room Dee would meet up with me. At first, I thought it was a coincidenence but then I realized she did it on purpose. She would tell me about the situation in the fleet. She'd tell me about my father. They've always had a close relationship, I don't know why. I do know that my father considers the crew a family."
"Our walks became tradition, so much so, that the Marines had their own little banter with her. She kept me grounded during a very difficult time just like during those cylon attacks every thirty-three minutes."
"She told me once she wished I were in command. I reprimanded her for that. It wasn't appropriate. It was that conversation that started the ball rolling on our jailbreak. I realized she was right."
Laura was perplexed. "How so?"
"It made me see that things were spiraling out of control. If my father hadn't been shot then it would have never gone that far. He put you in the brig but I do not believe he intended to keep you there indefinitely. Dee was the first one behind me. She was the voice that once again washed a sense of calm over me."
"You love her." It was a statement not a question.
Lee looked up at the top of the tent and listened to the rain for a moment. When he looked back at Laura Roslin he nodded.