The entire fleet had been holding their breath ever since they jumped and left Galatica behind. And the press was going insane in the conference room aboard Colonial One.

Billy had managed to come up with a cover story about why Galactica hadn't jumped with the rest of the fleet, carefully avoiding any mention of words such as technical failure, cylon virus and cylon prisoner. Unfortunately the press hadn't swallowed it quite as smoothly as Billy had hoped.

Laura wasn't surprised. Billy had done his best but the reporters weren't stupid. Leaving behind the only ship in their fleet capable of defending them from the Cylons wasn't going to go down well, no matter what kind of a spin you put on it.

So she stood behind the podium and fielded question after question. Sticking to the story even tough everyone in the room knew for a fact that she was lying through her teeth. It helped to keep her mind off the fear that was twisting around in her gut.

Abruptly several reporters fell silent and bent down, pressing at the microphones in their ear. At about the same time the co-pilot of Colonial One came through the curtain and pulled Billy aside. Laura watched them, ignoring those reporters still clamoring for her attention. When she saw the relieved look on Billy's face she felt like hugging him.

"Ladies and gentlemen." She said, raising her voice to be heard over the cacophony. "I'm happy to announce that Galatica has rejoined the fleet. That will be all." She turned away, refusing to answer any more questions as she hurriedly pushed through the curtain and into her private office. Billy followed directly on her heels.

"Get me Galatica." She said, but Billy had already picked up the receiver and was making the call. She smiled faintly as she watched the young man's anxious expression which soothed immediately the moment petty officer Dualla answered his hail. She allowed the two young lovers a few moments in private, turning around and pretending to ignore the hushed whispers. She turned back when she heard Billy ask for the Commander. He handed the horn over to her and left her office quietly.

"Galatica actual." Bill's rough voice send shivers down her spine and she briefly closed her eyes. When she didn't respond immediately he spoke up.

"Laura?"

"Gods, Bill." She whispered "Don't ever do that to me again!" There was a hint of a smile in his voice as he answered her.

"I'll certainly try, Madam President."

"What happened?" She sat herself down at her desk, allowing her eyes to drift shut as she listened to his voice more than to his words. She understood the gist of what he was telling her, if not the finer details but she'd catch up on those later, right now she was just glad to have his voice rumble in her ear.

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It's two full days later before she could arrange to pay a visit to Galatica. By the time her shuttle settled down on the deck her skin was tingling with anticipation. She was tired though, and she was not yet at the end of her day. Bill had asked her to attend a ceremony, a blessing, oddly enough. It wouldn't be the first blessing she performed. Ever since her role as the dying prophet of scripture had been made public some of the more religious members of the fleet had asked her to bless their children, their marriage, themselves. But no such request has ever come from someone on board Galatica before, certainly not from the Commander himself.

"Commander on deck!" The crew came to attention, offering their salute to the man beside her as he strode onto the hangar deck.

"As you where." He answered and his crew relaxed, grinning at one another. He walked past her as she stopped in front of the deck chief and she immediately missed his presence.

"Chief Tyrol." She said, offering the man her hand. He shook it gently, almost reverently.

"This is the blackbird?" She asked, glancing at the ship behind him. She already knew the answer, even though she didn't know much about the military she was able to recognize that this ship was not a viper. The result of having passed by scores of the fighter planes each time she came to Galatica. She asked the question anyway, having noticed the quiet shine of pride and accomplishment in the chief's eyes.

"Yes ma'am." He answered, his pride shining through in his voice and face as his eyes caressed the outline of the ship in front of him. It took a moment before his attention returned to her, although he never fully met her gaze.

"Madam president, this is an honor." The Chief said but she shook her head and smiled.

"No the honor is mine." She answered as she looked over the vessel in front of her, realizing that it was something that was built here, on this very deck. With scarce materials, very little time and even less experience. And yet the result was there for all to see. "It's remarkable." She said softly. The Chief shrugged slightly and seemed embarrassed by her praise.

"Just a ship ma'am." He said

"You're much too modest." She told him, as she glanced sideways to were the crew was signing their name onto the black hull with white pencil.

"After what we've been through it would be very easy to give up, to lose hope." She said, walking along the nose of the craft as she allowed her voice to carry.

"But not here, not today. This is more than a ship Chief, this is an act of faith. It is proof that despite of all we've lost we keep trying." She turned, facing the crew that helped built this ship and made them a promise she knew she couldn't keep. But they might be able to.

"We will get through this, all of us, together. I promise."

"Commander." The Chief said, reaching down and picking up a bottle which he handed over to his commanding officer. Bill glanced down at the label for a moment but then looked up and turned his attention back to the Chief. Laura would have expected him to bless the ship now but instead the Chief spoke up. The man nervously wrung his hands together and seemed hesitant as he addressed her.

"Ahh, Madam President, this was supposed to be a surprise. But ah… well." The Chief reached behind him and pulled away the black velvet cloth that had been draped over the blackbird's nose. Revealing the vessel's real name painted underneath.

It hit her hard and for a moment she could only stare breathless at her own name. It's a small thing, just five letters marking the bow of a battleship, but it meant so much. To know that she would be remembered, that she had been loved, honored and respected. She tried to speak but failed to find her voice, which was a good thing because at this very moment she wouldn't have been able to come up with anything to say. Finally she lowered her head and cleared her throat, taking a moment to gather her composure back together. When she looked up again her voice was once more steady.

"Thank you."

Bill stepped forward then, holding out the bottle to her. "If you'll do us the honors, Madam President." She turned her attention to the bottle in his hands, grateful for the distraction as she put on her glasses and took the bottle from him.

"Of course." She murmured, then as she glanced down at the label. "Okay." She stepped towards the blackbird and nodded to herself as an insane idea struck her. Throwing caution to the wind she grabbed the bottle by the neck and lifted it over her head. The crowd around her gasped in shock and the Chief practically threw himself in front of his ship. She smiled to herself, grinned even.

"Kidding." She said, glancing over her shoulder at the onlookers. Still smiling she popped the cork off the bottle with care and held it up. Applause rang out across the deck as she handed the bottle to the Chief who nodded to her before taking the first sip.

After congratulating the Chief he made his way over to where she was standing. A little bit away from the rest. Her shoulders were slightly hunched under her jacket and she was holding one hand pressed against her bosom, her expression pale and drawn. She tried to smile as he came to stand beside her but failed miserably. Instead she folded her arms across her chest.

"That was lovely." She said. He drew a little closer, leaning in to her, desperately wanting to take her into his arms and kiss the sadness right out of her. Instead he offered what comfort he could with words.

"They wanted to do that for you."

"Thank you." She murmured in response, not meeting his gaze. It took a moment before she did look up. "None of this would have been possible if you hadn't trusted the Cylon."

He met her gaze in turn. "I took your advise," She looked a little surprised, as if the notion of him taking her advise was still perplexing. "Met on common ground."

"What was that?"

"We both wanted to live."

Laura looked up, fighting to keep her deepest fears from showing. She wanted to live too, desperately wanted not to know how limited her time had become. But she did know and felt the knowledge drag on her heart and soul. A heart that tried to soar as she noticed the way he was looking at her.

There was a host of things to be seen in those stormy blue eyes, if one only held the key to deciphering them. She had no idea when he'd handed her that key but she held it firmly now and gazed into his eyes, searching the myriad and complexity of his emotions.

It surprised her to see want there, hidden away behind sadness and even a touch of anger, but it was still there. She knew full well that she wasn't looking her best. It had been a trying day and with her cancer having advanced she knew she was looking anything but desirable. He didn't seem to share that opinion though and as he reached out and cupped her elbow with his hand she couldn't help but feel tendrils of warmth stirring in the pit of her stomach.

"Come with me." He offered, applying gentle pressure on her elbow. She hesitated for a moment, glancing over her shoulder. But by then someone had started up the music and aside from the bottle of champagne the chief was passing around several other bottles of liquor seemed to have materialized out of thin air. Galatica's crew was gearing up for a party and considering the fact that for the most part she was old enough to be their mother it wasn't likely it would be the type of celebration she'd enjoy. It also meant that no one was going to miss her if she were to disappear for a while.

She offered the Commander a faint smile. "I'd love to." And let him guide her off the hangar deck and through Galatica's corridors. They didn't meet many people on their way to his quarters, and those they did meet seemed to be in a hurry to get to the party.

As she stepped over the threshold into his quarters she immediately slipped off her shoes and let out a small sigh of relief. She padded further inside, well aware of the fact that he'd locked the hatch behind them. She started to unbutton her jacket and slipped it off her shoulders, letting it fall to the ground before she settled down on the couch, drawing up her legs.

"Comfortable?" He asked, as he looked at her from across the room. A slight, amused smile on his face.

"Very." She answered, leaning her head back.

"Would you like something to drink?" He asked. She nodded and closed her eyes for a moment as he made his way to the side table.

She must have drifted off to sleep because when she opened her eyes again she found herself curled up on his couch, with two blankets tucked in around her. She blinked and lifted her head, looking around. He had turned down the lights, leaving only a single reading light on his desk where he sat going over his reports.

"Bill." She whispered, pushing herself up. He glanced up and offered her a warm smile.

"Good evening."

"How long did I sleep?" She asked.

"A few hours." He answered.

"Hours?!" She exclaimed, straightening up sharply at the thought of having wasted so much time. She'd never planned to be gone more than a hour, there was so much work she still had to catch up on. "Why didn't you wake me up?"

"You looked like you could do with a few hours uninterrupted sleep." She shook her head and got up, running a hand through her hair.

"I don't have time to nap." She answered. "There is too much left to do." She looked around for her jacket, which wasn't where she'd left it.

"Laura." He said, getting up. She ignored him and scanned the floor, locating her shoes by the door but still missing her jacket.

"Where did you put my jacket?" She asked.

"Laura, stop." His hand closed gently around her biceps and he turned her to face him, taking her other arm in an equally gentle grip.

"Bill…" She started, then stopped as she became aware of him. The very nearness of his body to her own, the smell of him, his touch on her arms with only the thin fabric of her blouse to separate their skin. All of it brought on a terribly vivid flashback of the last time he had been this close to her.

She gasped quietly as the recollection of their lovemaking sent a shiver down her spine. She shook her head, forcing down the memory. She might have come here with a repeat of those events in mind, but she'd never intended to spend the night.

She tried to back away from him, hoping that maybe a little distance between them would make it easier, but he wouldn't let her go. Instead he drew her closer still and folded her into his arms. She struggled for a moment, but only for as long as it took for the warmth of his body to seep through her blouse and into her skin.

"I can't." She whispered to the soft skin of his throat.

"It won't do anyone any good to kill yourself from exhaustion." He whispered, with only the slightest hitch to his measured tone. "Stay, get a good night's sleep." She held still in his embrace for a long moment. She knew she couldn't spend the night in his quarters. If the press ever got wind of that… oh frak the press she thought savagely. What was she doing worrying about them anyway? It wasn't like she was going to be around to deal with the aftermath of a scandal.

And here was someone offering her warmth and comfort and a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. It was insane to even consider turning him down. She was being selfish again and knew it. She might not be around to deal with a scandal, but he would. But it was hard not to be selfish at this moment. It was hard not the wrap her arms around his waist and rest her head on his shoulder, to deny herself what he was offering. In the end she decided she was too tired to fight, too tired to do the right thing. Instead she was going to indulge herself, again.

He noticed her relaxing in his arms and let out a quiet sigh or relief. Gods the woman could certainly be stubborn. Sliding his hands up to her shoulders he withdrew slightly and caught her eyes. When he'd confirmed what he already knew he smiled and placed a gentle kiss on her brow before taking her to his rack. He helped her out of her clothes and laid her down before ridding himself of his uniform and climbing in next to her.

They shared in soft kisses and languid caresses of one another's skin but it didn't amount to anything. She was too tired, physically and emotional exhausted from the past few days and when he offered to simply hold her she gladly accepted and curled into his embrace.

She fell asleep almost instantly but he stayed awake for a while longer, luxuriating in the feeling of her in his arms. He never got the chance to hold her the first time around and found it was every bit as wonderful as he thought it would be.

He gently ran his hands through her hair and down her back, pulling her close to him as he softly took the taste of her skin just below her right ear. She stirred in her sleep, but didn't wake.

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She woke up feeling better than she had in quite a while. It might have something to do with the fact that she'd spent the night in an actual bed instead of a makeshift cot. Then again it might have everything to do with the fact that she'd woken up next to William Adama. He was still sound asleep, as evidenced by the fact that he was snoring softly. She'd always found that to be a particularly annoying habit in her other lovers, with him though she was surprised to find that the sound was both amusing and even a little endearing to her.

Propping herself up on one elbow she studied his features for a long moment. They somehow looked odd and it took her a moment to realize that this is as relaxed as she has ever seen him. Smiling to herself she reached out and traced her fingertips across his cheek and along the curve of his jaw. Unwilling to part with the feeling of his skin under her hand she continued her exploration down to his throat and finally halted at his collarbones.

There her fingertips touch upon an irregularity. His scar. One of many, but this one in particular stood out. A single line, running from his collarbones down to his stomach. She shuddered at the thought that it was caused by two different surgeries, each one involving a doctor cracking open his chest and abdomen and reaching inside in an effort to repair the injury to his organs.

She's been told he died twice while lying in Lifestation. Died twice and came back both times. She was grateful for that fact, but also a little jealous. He's beaten the odds, cheated death, not once but twice. It was a miracle she knew couldn't be repeated for her but that didn't stop her from yearning for the possibility.

She ran her hand down the scar, shifting the blankets out of the way as her hand traveled lower. As more of him became visible to her eyes she found a tendril of desire stirring inside of her. She glanced over to his desk, looking for a timepiece to tell her if there was time to indulge. Her hand stilled halfway down his chest and she's startled when he spoke.

"Don't stop." He opened his eyes and looked at her. The time is completely forgotten as she saw naked desire staring back at her. He doesn't even try to cover it as he lay gazing up at her. What was only a tendril before abruptly exploded into the rest of her body.

She didn't stop and ran her hand down further, tracing the length of his scar even as she kept her eyes riveted to his face. When the scar ended her hand was only inches away from his pelvic bone and she dipped lower. She ran her fingers through the curls and found that even at the ripe age of sixty one a morning erection was not outside the realm of possibilities.

"My, my." She whispered, grinning as she leaned a little closer to him, pressing her body against his side as she lightly ran her hand up his length. As his breathing hitched, her grin broadened and took on a mischievous note as she realized that this time around she had the upper hand.

Their first time together had been all about her need. Her need to feel alive, to feel loved, if only for a moment. He didn't need her like she needed him, but he wanted her all the same. In spite of the fact that she was dying and decidedly not the most attractive woman in the fleet. Certainly a man in his position could get almost anything and anyone he wanted. And he wanted her. For that alone she loved him, a fact she intended to keep to herself. It was bad enough she would be leaving him soon enough, there was no need to make it any worse than it already was.

She shifted her body, sliding one leg over his and sitting up on his thighs. She leaned forward, resting her hands on his shoulders as she consciously rubbed up against his erection. He gasped in turn, his hands clamping down around her hips. She grinned and leaned down further, claiming his mouth in a searing kiss. As she explored the warmth of his mouth and the exquisite taste of his tongue she was well aware of the fact that his hands were traveling up her side and found their way to her breasts.

She moaned into his mouth as he stroked her nipples to attention and arched her back, pressing herself against his hands with unrestrained desire. But some part of her stayed in control as she left his mouth and started a trail of kisses down his throat and to his chest. She nipped gently at his chin, enjoying the feeling of a single day's worth of stubble against her lips.

She made her way down his chest, running her hands, lips and tongue over his skin, nuzzling the various scars. He shivered under her and she delighted in every groan and hoarse whisper she extracted from him. His hands ran down her back, cupping her ass in an effort to draw her forward. She resisted and laughed as he grumbled in disappointment.

But he was not the kind of man to just lie back and do nothing. So he shifted one of his hands, rounding her hip, he brushed his fingertips across the downward line of her hipbone, toward the reddish curls at her centre. She quickly grabbed hold of his wrist, having no intention of relinquishing control just yet.

"Wait." She whispered.

"Laura." He groaned. "I want…." She put a finger across his lips and leaned forward again, replacing her finger with her mouth she effectively silenced him. As they kissed she gathered both of his hands into her own and brought them up above his head. Leaning forward she used her superior position and weight to keep his wrists pinned there. She broke their kiss and smiled down at him. He looked up at her, making no attempt whatsoever to hide his feelings at this particular moment. There was certainly a great deal of raw desire there for her to see, but beyond that there was more. Reflected back at her from the maelstrom of his blue eyes she saw the love she felt and had intended to keep hidden away. Abruptly she drew back, and then rushing to get as far away from him as possible.

"Laura!" He called making a grab for her as she rolled out of his bed, nearly falling as her ankle got tangled in the sheets. His fingertips brushed along her arm but he never did manage to get a hold before she was up and stumbling away. She heard him climbing out of bed behind her as she blindly grabbed for the first article of clothing in sight and rushed further away.

"Laura, stop!" He barked, his voice still husky but laced with confusion and even a little anger. She ignored him and tried desperately to escape even though she knew it was a futile effort. It wasn't like she could simply step out into the corridor, not while she was all but stark naked. And there was no way she could get dressed before he caught up to her. It didn't stop her from trying though.

As expected she didn't get very far before she felt his hand close around her biceps again, his grip a great deal firmer than it had been last night. He spun her around sharply and grabbed her other arm, pushing her back up against the wall.

"What the frak do you think you're doing?" He snarled as he glared at her. She gasped as she realized that he hadn't bothered with clothing and was still quite aroused.

"Bill." She moaned. "Please, let me go."

"No." He growled in response, stepping even closer to her. "Not until you tell me what's wrong." She tried to control her breathing, tried so very hard to keep her body from betraying her in response to his proximity.

"I can't." She whispered, closing her eyes so as not to see the hurt in his eyes. "Please, Bill… I can't love you."

"What do you mean you can't?" He asked, confusion taking precedence in his voice. "I thought you…" His hold on her arms loosened abruptly as his voice dropped off and a moment later he drew away from her.

A sudden cold settled in the pit of her stomach as she opened her eyes and looked at him. She gasped again as she saw the expression on his face. Somehow he had managed to slip away from her in the space of a second and had retreated behind his barriers. There was nothing there for her to see in his face now, nothing of the warmth and desire that had been there only moments ago, not even a sparkle of the love that had scared her into running. And now that it was gone she found she missed it terribly.

"Bill…" She whispered as she reached out to him, realizing she had just made what possibly amounted to the biggest mistake of her life. But he wouldn't hear of it. He might as well have slapped her across the face. It would have hurt less than the cold look he gave her now.

"I apologize for overstepping my bounds, Madam President." He said. "You can rest assured it will never happen again."