" Don't Leave Me..."
He had been sitting with her for hours, not wanting to take his eyes off her, matching his breathing to her own. She was so weak, at times almost forgetting to breathe herself. He hugged her closer against his chest and breathed with her. He did not want to lose her. Not so soon… not now. Especially now that they had just arrived. She should at least see it, he thought, having fought so hard to get them all there.
"It's too soon. Open your eyes," he whispered in her ear.
Everyone else had already gone down to the surface to make first contact, to get to know the blue-green planet that Laura had so desired to see.
Desire! Oh, Bill knew something about that. Many things he'd desired, although never as much as his longing for her. And now that she finally found her way into his arms, he was about to lose her.
"It's too soon!" He insisted. "Breathe, I beg you!"
There were still so many things to tell her, to confess to her. He never thought he'd be able to feel emotions like this. A single tear rolled down his cheek.
"Don't leave me Laura. I love you, always have. I need you! Your smile, your tenderness… What will I do without you?" He hugged her closer and rocked her gently, softly kissing her hair. He had given up trying to hold back his tears, which now fell freely.
"Please! Stay with me!" Their breaths fell in sync, and Bill began to foolishly hope, despite the lost look in Laura's eyes. If only she could see it one last time…
" Bill..."
He carefully set her head down on her pillow and chased away rebellious locks from Laura's eyes. Her calm, serene eyes meet Bill's, yet her tear-filled eyes could not hide her sadness. Again he wished he could take on her suffering for her.
"You have to let me go, Bill… It's time…"
He knew she was right yet he could not bring himself to accept it. She can't possibly want this… not after all we've been through… not now.
He wondered if he should reveal the secret he'd been keeping all this time. If it was even necessary, now.
"I know, Bill", she murmured, smiling.
She knows! She knows, and she is not rejecting me!
"I think I've ...always known."
Nonplussed; he looked at her then caressed her face. Bill bent forward to kiss away new tears forming in Laura's eye. "And I've always loved you..." he finally whispered, realizing it was now time. He helped Laura turn towards the large window. "Look!"
"Bill...it's… it's… "
"Yes Laura, that's her. We're finally here." He added, "I love you, Laura."
"Thank you..." She clung to him, overcome with emotion.
He stayed there with her, unmoving, feeling the last bits of life escape from her fragile body. He stayed silent even when he heard her last breath; his face buried in her hair, telling her he loved her. With her lifeless body finally calmed, he knew it was time. Adama hit the detonator. It was in this deafening silence that the planet's new inhabitants bid Galactica their farewell.