In The Distant Future

By caramelapples

Laura walked down the sidewalk, holding the groceries she just bought tightly for fear she might drop them. She nodded at a few parents of the children she taught (everybody knew everybody in small towns) and hurried home before it became dark. Winter was around the corner and she wasn't looking forward to it, not after New Caprica. And she wasn't looking forward to it alone.

She had almost given up hope that Bill would actually come. She always kept herself busy as to not think about him. She had been actively avoiding Cliff since what happened that night. She liked him but she couldn't afford to like him anymore than that. It was too dangerous.

She turned the key in the doorknob and headed straight for the kitchen.

Her brain only registered his presence after she laid eyes on his relaxed form sitting on the high stool for a full three seconds. She found herself unable to move from the spot she was standing on and continued to stare at him from across the counter top.

"Nice place you have here," he said, his voice was huskier than she had ever known. Or maybe it had been for a long time but she didn't really notice. He wasn't in uniform, she thought. She had scarcely seen him out of uniform on Galactica. Where was Galactica now? she wondered. He wore a wool sweater that she swore was the biggest turn on for her at that moment. Then, guilt started to settle in the pit of her stomach.

Cliff.

The biggest mistake that she could ever make was a mistake that would hurt him. She was already feeling the guilt eating at her. She would have to tell him. It would be worse if somehow, he found out from someone else.

"Say something," he said, laughter in his eyes. "Don't just stand there. Aren't you happy to see me?" he asked, good-naturedly.

She dropped her groceries and in an instant, she was in his embrace, her lips crashing onto his, tears standing in her eyes. She felt as though the earth was moving under her feet as his tongue prodded hers, eyes closed. This was their first contact they've had with each other in months and nothing they'd ever had was as intimate and passionate as this. "I thought you weren't coming," she whispered, after they broke apart to get the much needed air they needed.. "I was going to forget about everything we had." He stroked her hair gently realizing how long it was that he hadn't seen her.

"I'm sorry, Laura. For making you wait."

"I've missed you so much," she said, sniffing, and at the same time breathing in his scent, a little different now since he wasn't wearing his uniform.

"I'm here now." Could she hear how much I wasn't telling her? Could she know how much I ached to touch her? Could she know how much I love and need her?

She was almost high with joy. It had been so long since she'd felt such joy. The last time was months ago when she had first stepped foot on this planet. She pressed her body onto his and enjoyed the feeling of him being there. She could stay there the whole night, she thought.

"I have to tell you something, Bill," she said and looked into his eyes.

He raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What is it?"

To be continued…