Spoilers: Lay Down Your Burdens (Part Two)

Disclaimer: The characters belong to Ron Moore and Universal Studios.

A/N: For Robin. Thanks to Sel for the beta :)

Halfway Home (Part One)

He sees Laura in Virgon Square. His heart stops, the world goes rushing past and all he can see is her.

The last time they spoke was a year ago at Cain's funeral; he's wondering whether to approach her when she disappears into the crowd.

He'd heard she'd started a school which was hugely successful, despite her 'progressive' teaching methods. He smiles; she always did push boundaries.

Lee continues with his day, he's just moved planet-side and is trying to adjust to his new life, but his mind continues to dwell on Roslin.

A few days later, Lee sees her in the street. Laura slows, sensing someone watching her and turns in his direction. Her eyes meet his. They gaze at each other across the crowd. Once, they had fought together. Once they had trusted no one else. A smile plays on her lips.

Lee is on the verge of calling out to her but a rotund man steps in front of him and he loses sight of Roslin.

When the man passes by, she's gone.

A week later, Lee spots her in the market place, bartering for paper at a stall. He draws near.

"I only have 7 cubits," Laura explains.

"It's 9 or nothing – I've got kids to feed, lady!"

"It's for the school," Roslin argues.

"Sorry – no can do," the stall owner answers staunchly.

"Here are the extra cubits," Lee says as he reaches into his pocket.

Laura turns to him, startled by his sudden appearance, then quickly recovers.

"No, Lee, you don't have to do that," she declares as Apollo hands the stall owner his money.

"Think of it as my contribution to the Education System – an investment in the future," Lee proclaims.

The stall owner holds the paper out to her. "I'd take it if I were you, lady."

Laura takes the offered paper and nods. "Alright."

They step away from the stall and head out of the marketplace, Lee lets her lead the way.

They walk in silence for a few minutes, until Lee slips on the water-logged ground and Laura grabs his arm to steady him. He catches her eye and she smiles.

"Guess I'm not used to soggy ground," he mutters.

"You've been aboard Pegasus all this time?" she asks.

"Yes."

They reach a tent and she stops, "I'm home."

"Oh… okay."

"Thanks… for the paper," Laura says. "It will mean a lot to the children, they wanted to make decorations for Colonial Day."

Lee nods.

Laura studies him; it's been so long since she saw his face; everything about him is so familiar, so safe… yet different. He seems older, more worldly-wise.

"Well, I'd better get on," he declares. "I have to get some groceries," but he doesn't want to leave her - he wants to patch-up the hole in their relationship; wants her friendship back.

Roslin nods and Lee turns his back on her.

He takes a few steps and Laura finds her voice calling. "Would you like to stay for a coffee?"

Apollo glances at her over his shoulder. "Yes," he replies eagerly. "I'd like that very much."

Roslin draws back the entrance flap of her tent and he steps into her home. Laura follows closely behind, puts the bundle of paper on her table and sets about making a pot of coffee.

Lee's eyes skim over the tent interior – the walls are covered with children's drawings, to the left is her bed with a small table housing personal effects, including a picture of her and Billy that gives Lee a momentary pang of guilt. What a fool he had been… he thinks of all the wrong choices he made because he was trying to punish Laura for what he thought was her betrayal. He sees his error now, clear as day. Being Commander for the last year has taught him that principles are all well and good, but sometimes, they have to be stretched - survival demands it.

Turning his attention to the rest of the room, Lee notices a lavender partition which divides the rest of the room from a bath tub. There is the fire and food shelves to the right and a table in the centre of the room, with two chairs, where he imagines she does her marking and lesson planning.

"Have a seat," she offers as she puts a kettle over the fire.

He pulls up a chair. Laura places two cups and a jug of milk on the table, then sits opposite him.

"It should only take a moment," she assures.

Lee nods.

They gaze at each other.

"It's been a while," she remarks.

Lee smiles. "It's good to see you."

She clasps her hands together. "How are things?"

He shrugs. "Can't complain."

Laura bites her lower lip, unsure whether to broach the subject, then decides to go ahead. "I heard about you and Dee. Sorry."

Lee holds her eye. "It just wasn't working anymore."

The kettle whistles and Laura gets to her feet, grateful for the distraction. She removes it from the flames with a tea towel and fills both their cups, then retakes her seat. The strong aroma of coffee fills the air.

Lee raises his cup in toast. "To old friends reuniting."

Laura lifts-up her cup and clinks it against his. Then they both sip their drinks.

"So how did you hear?" he asks. "About me and Dee, I mean."

"Your father," Laura answers.

"You keep in touch with the old man?"

"In the beginning, but then we both got busy and, well, you know how it is."

Nodding sadly, Apollo mutters. "Yeah, I know."

Laura leans back in her chair. "So, what are your plans?"

"I want to open a bar."

Laura looks surprised. "A bar?"

He grins, his blue eyes sparkling. "It's something I've wanted for a while, since before the attacks."

"A bar, huh?"

"I'd make a great bartender!" he grins. "I'm a good listener."

She nods. "I remember."

Lee sips his coffee and feels the remnants of guilt; he had judged her too harshly in the past. He left her to battle her illness alone. After Billy was gone, he didn't try to console her. He watched her fight Baltar unaided, even though his heart screamed-out for him to rush to her side, to be her defender once again – he ignored the impulse.

Lee shakes his head to clear it. "You know the settlement better than me, any suggestions for a good location?" he asks, trying to get back to the here-and-now.

"Sagitara Avenue would be a great site and there's still land available – the nearest bar is Motley's way over on the west side of the settlement," she recommends.

"I'll look into it, thanks," Lee drains his cup, places it on the table and gets to his feet. "I'd better get going, I have no food in."

Laura stands, she hesitates and then says. "Lee, do you think we can get past this awkward stage anytime soon?"

Startled by her frankness, he takes a deep breath and then replies honestly. "I hope so. Look, I know that the reason we… the reason our relationship faltered was largely because of me. So much has happened, things I can't undo or unsay… but I would like to have your friendship back, if you're willing?"

Roslin flashes him a glowing smile. "I'd like that too, Captain Apollo."

Lee smiles back; no one else moves him like she does.

Laura shifts her weight from one leg to the other as she watches him; his bright eyes burning like they used to.

"Good," Lee declares, then leans forward and kisses her cheek.

As he takes a step back, Laura catches hold of his hand. "One of the parents, Dermid Haniglois, owns a brewery. If you'd like, I could introduce you to him. Maybe he'd be able to supply your bar."

Lee squeezes her hand. "That would be great."

"I'll talk to him tomorrow morning when he drops Cassie off at school. If you want to stop by after class, I'll let you know what he says."

"I'll do that, thanks."

She releases his hand and Lee heads towards the door.

"See you tomorrow," he calls over his shoulder and then he's gone.

Laura sits down, feeling deflated by his absence. For a few moments it had felt like the old days, when she was the centre of Lee's world and had everything to hope for.