Authors Note

Second and last chapter of this story. Hope you have enjoyed it.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters what-so-ever, so please don't sue. If you're still keen on suing me, then do it over the story that you think is the best. Leave me a little bit of ego as I go to prison.

Laura looked up at the New Caprican sky, a frown playing on her lips. Tears threatened her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. She refused to let such a weakness show, not to the Cylons and certainly not to her own people, who were looking towards her for comfort and solace, for strength. She was no longer the President, and yet in such a time of crisis, as the Cylons moved throughout the encampment, the people turned to her. It annoyed Laura slightly. They had voted Baltar in, saw what he had done, decided they didn't like it and all went back to her. If only they had listened to Laura in the first place, then they wouldn't be here, on this muddy, desolate planet. They'd be up there in space. Maybe they'd have found earth already, who knows?

I do, she suddenly thought bitterly, still looking up at the sky, we settled here. Not earth, not even close. The sky glittered above them as ships jumped away, out of orbit. Their ships. The thought of their own fleet jumping away made Laura's heart ache. Was it selfish to wish that she was on one of those ships? They were all alone now. No defence, nothing. They had stopped becoming citizens the moment the Cylons set foot on the planet, and had once again become survivors. Stuck on this godsdamn planet until someone, some heroic saviour, comes to rescue them. Bill. Bill would rescue them, Laura was sure of it. She had such trust in the man, he was a genuine hero. In a matter of days, they would be up in space, sharing a glass of ambrosia in his quarters and laughing about the near death they faced at the hands of the Cylons on New Caprica, That thought alone kept Laura going, kept the tears from her eyes as the Centurions marched past them all. Looking at the despair on the faces around her, Laura thought back to the groundbreaking ceremony, with Bill.

"Can I get you a drink?"

Bill had appeared by Laura's side, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back. The contact made her shiver slightly, but she did not pull away. Instead, Laura leaned back into it slightly, smiling. Her eyes were half closed, taking in the celebrations around her.

"Mmm, a glass of Ambrosia would be nice."

Bill chuckled at her expression, and moved towards the makeshift bar to order her a drink. Laura was still sitting, tapping her foot slightly to the music when he returned. After handing her a glass filled generously with the green liquid, Bill sat down next to her and looked towards the celebrations. Laura took this opportunity to steal glances at the man beside her. Every so often, he'd catch her looking, and purposely meet her eyes. She smiled softly when he did that, and turned back towards her drink, only to look at him again when his attention had returned to the dancing.

"Their dancing should have hazard signs." Bill commented, nodding his head slightly in the direction of Starbuck and Anders. They were drunkenly manoeuvring through the crowds, swinging eachother back and forth dangerously.

"They're just trying to enjoy this while they can." Laura stated seriously, her eyes never leaving the pair in front. Bill looked at her, silently gauging her reaction to the festivities. She seemed to be in a calm mood, considering just a few hours ago Baltar had declared a new opportunity, a new planet, a new home for them all.

"How're you holding up?" Bill asked, his attention returning to the dancing.

"As good as can be, with a little help, of course."

Bill turned towards Laura, his eyebrows raised in question. She, in return, delicately placed her hand in one of the pockets on her dress, and pulled out two large cigarettes. Bill wondered idly what colony they were from, as he had not seen ones like those around before.

"Herbal," she stated wryly at his unasked question, a mischievous smile on her lips and a glint of amusement in her eyes, "I picked the plant myself."

"Are you telling me, Ms Roslin," Bill whispered softly, moving closer so no-one could eavesdrop, "that you are currently high?"

Laura smiled, ignoring his comment. Instead, she met his gaze steadily and Bill could see just by her eyes that she was relaxed, happy and-

"Maybe just a little." Laura admitted, offering him a cigarette, "can I interest you in one Bill?"

"What makes you think I'm the type who goes for this stuff?"

"Having Baltar as President," Laura said, grimacing as the name slid off of her tongue, "you either have to be high or drunk to stand him. Your choice."

"I get a choice?"

"That's democracy for you."

Bill smiled at her insult and disdain aimed towards their new President. Now she was just a school teacher, Laura was full of surprises. Plucking one of the cigarettes from her slender hand, he brought it up to his mouth, waiting for Laura to light it. She did not disappoint, pulling out a small lighter, and setting it alight. Together, they sat there, taking long drags and letting the smoke drift seamlessly into the darkening sky above them.

"You know what I miss about being in space?" Laura said suddenly, her head tilted up towards the sky. Her eyes were closed, however, and she appeared deep in thought.

"What?"

"The feeling of being free, to move amongst the stars and planets, being able to go wherever you want to at the switch of a key and the pull of a lever."

"I miss it too."

"You're up on a ship Bill. You can do it anytime."

"And leave New Caprica defenceless?"

Laura just smiled, whispering, "I would."

"If I jumped," Bill said softly, pulling her gaze towards him, "I would always come back. There are too many people down here I care about to leave defenceless."

"Colonel Tigh, Kara Thrace-"

"You."

Laura staid silent after his sudden interruption. Slowly, she turned her body towards him, her eyes lazily taking in every contour on his face, wanting to remember it all.

"Let's leave this party for the younger generation," she said, smiling, "My tent isn't too far from here. Besides, I think it would be unwise for people to see the Admiral of the fleet and a school teacher high and drunk, don't you?"

"We'd better go quick," Bill said seriously. At her questioning gaze, he quickly added, "Gaeta just spotted us and is heading in our direction."

"Frak," Laura muttered, quickly standing up. Bill followed suit, but before either of them could make a run for it, Felix Gaeta appeared, looking slightly dishevelled.

"Admiral," He smiled, holding out his hand in greeting. Luckily, he didn't notice when they both stashed their cigarettes and drinks behind their backs.

"Gaeta." Bill replied politely, wanting to laugh out loud at Laura's amused gaze directed at him. Laura realised that in fact, this night may just be fun after all.

Looking back at the memories caused a smile to appear on Laura's face. The last of the ships had jumped away a few minutes ago, leaving people staring hopelessly into the sky for any sign of rescue. When none came, they moved listlessly about, in amongst the alert centurions. Laura was still looking up at the sky, however, a smile still on her lips.

Her attention was diverted to a woman standing in front of her. Long blonde hair, a desolate gaze in her eyes, but there was fight left in her yet. Kara Thrace looked at Laura, desperately searching for some sort of answer to questions she knew could not be easily explained.

"They jumped." Kara stated bluntly, silently asking Laura if what had happened was real. She sympathised with the young pilot, knowing that the idea of Galactica jumping away was torture to her.

"They did," Laura agreed. She still smiled, however. She had to remain strong, for her people, "but they'll be back."

Bill had promised her that he would return. She wasn't one to give up hope, and she knew that he wasn't one to break promises.

A/N

Reviews are welcome. Thanks.