INTERPOLATIONS

in·ter'po·la'tionn. A mathematical procedure which estimates values of a function at positions between listed or given values.

This is a series of "missing" scenes from episodes 2.7 through 2.10, and my interpretation of what happened in 2.11 and 2.12. So obviously, there are spoilers for all of those eps in the story. Also obviously, the story will make more sense if you've seen the eps. This fic is AU but has some similarities to canon.

DISCLAIMER: RDM owns Battlestar Galactica, but he said we could play. No money is being made.

This story contains homage to two favorite authors of mine. See if you can spot them. B)

Many Thanks to emmaockham for her patient beta and wonderful comments.
And a tip of the hat to karihan.

Synopsis: Billy Keikeya advises the President on the future of the Fleet.


CHAPTER TWO
(takes place at the end of "The Final Cut")

Contrivances

Thou hast prevariated with thy friend,

By underhand contrivances undone me:

And while my open nature trusted in thee,

Thou hast stept in between me and my hopes,

And ravish'd from me all my soul held dear.

Thou hast betray'd me.

-- Nicholas Rowe English dramatist, writer and poet (1674 - 1718),
Lady Jane Grey (act II, sc. 1. 235)

Billy Keikeya sat at his table and watched as first D'anna Biers and her cameraman left; then as Colonel Tigh excused himself. He saw Commander Adama linger and after Tigh's exit, hand President Roslin a sheaf of papers. He saw the President leaf through the stack.

"What's this, Commander?" The President regarded Commander Adama over the top of her glasses.

"A list of suggested promotions, Madame President." The Commander folded his hands before him. "I have a number of people on board the Galactica who are filling positions normally filled by persons with a higher rank. They have performed admirably, and I would like to advance them to the rank commensurate with their responsibilities."

Roslin removed her glasses and smiled a small smile at the Commander. "Couldn't you just do this yourself?"

Adama nodded. "Yes, field promotions in wartime are within my authority." His lips quirked into a slight smile. "But I would like to make these promotions permanent. That requires the approval of Fleet Headquarters and the President."

Roslin drew her brows together, but her smile didn't waver. "We don't have a Fleet Headquarters, Commander."

Commander Adama regarded the President over the top of his glasses. "That's true, Madame President." His smile grew fractionally.

To Billy it was clear what the Commander left unsaid. But we do have a President.

Roslin's smile changed to a smirk. She returned her glasses to her face, and looked down at the papers. "I'll take your request to the Quorum, Commander."

Commander Adama lowered his gaze to his folded hands. His smile faded and his brows drew together. "As you wish, Madame President."

Billy frowned. The President wants to ask the Quorum? That's not really necessary. There's something not quite right here.

Roslin looked up again. She caught the Commander's gaze. "Is that all Commander?"

Adama returned her look steadily and a ghost of his smile returned. "Yes, Madame President." He inclined his head. "By your leave."

"Of course Commander. Good-day."

Adama drew himself to attention. "Good-day, Madame President." The Commander nodded at Billy as he exited the makeshift office.

Billy shuffled the papers on his ersatz desk, then stood and went to stand in front of the President, waiting for her to acknowledge him. Finally after waiting for what seemed to him to be a very long time, Billy laid a hand on the President's desk. "Dee's worried about Commander Adama," he said.

Roslin looked up at Billy and took off her glasses. "What? Dee's worried?"

Billy nodded. "She told me that the whole crew is worried. When you d-," Billy's voice cracked. He took a deep breath and swallowed. "I told you that I don't believe in the Gods; I believe in you and Commander Adama." Billy swallowed again. "When you die, Dr. Baltar will be President, and Tom Zarek will become Vice-President, because you're no longer here to stop him. Dr. Baltar won't last long. Zarek will become President. How long do you think the Commander will survive President Zarek?"

Roslin calmly returned her glasses to her face. "Commander Adama can handle Tom Zarek. The people . . . "

"The people! The people are frightened. They're confused." Billy burst out. "They hear wild rumors about what happened after the Commander was shot. They make up stories about what happened on Kobol. They wonder why no one talks about it. And they wonder what really happened." Billy leaned forward over the desk. "People see how he's changed, and they worry that he's not recovering. They know Commander Adama is the only one capable of protecting them from the Cylons. They know what happened when Colonel Tigh was in charge. So they're afraid. Afraid that the Commander is no longer physically able to protect them and lead them to safety." Billy waved his hands in the air. "Zarek will put one of his men in charge of the Galactica. The Commander has no legal standing to oppose him – especially once Zarek becomes President. Adama will not stage another coup. He won't risk splitting the Fleet again. So Zarek will probably get the guns and the power that he's after."

Roslin tilted her head to the side, and studied Billy. She drew her brows together. "Billy, I thought you considered Tom Zarek a liberator, a prisoner of conscience."

"I learned differently on Kobol. " Billy retorted. "President Zarek will be the end of the Fleet. The Cylons will be able to stop chasing us – we'll destroy ourselves." Billy let all of his worries spill out. "When are you going to stop pushing Commander Adama away? He came to Kobol after you, he gave you back the presidency, he led the applause at the ceremony. He's stood beside you at every public forum and made it very clear that you are the President and that he supports you. But you continue to push him away every chance you get."

"Billy, I didn't attempt a military coup, I didn't arrest him, and I didn't put him in jail," President Roslin responded calmly.

"You used his son to escape from the brig and to start an insurrection. You split the Fleet." Billy countered.

"I didn't lie to the people in the first place," Roslin snapped.

"No. What you did was worse. You didn't tell the Commander about your cancer because you were afraid he would use the knowledge against you. But you knew his secret, that he didn't know the location of Earth, and you used it against him. You used that knowledge to coerce Lieutenant Thrace to go back to Caprica." Billy's voice rose. "You did to him what you were afraid he would do to you."

Roslin fell silent. She took off her glasses and stared across the cabin at the far wall. Her eyes were unfocused and dark.

Billy fell silent as well. After a prolonged pause he said, "You can have my resignation Madame President."

Roslin's eyes snapped back to Billy. "Why would I want that? If my advisors won't tell me the truth, then what good are they?"