Hearts and Fates Entwined

By: Fairedust

Part 5

Chapter 13

Four days after Tabitha's self-imposed incarceration in the brig, Adama found Roslin waiting for him in his quarters. Fortunately he'd been aware of her arrival. Though he was mildly confused she had not met in in the CIC, as usual. Instead he found her seated on one of his chairs with a drink in her hand.

As he stepped through the door, she gave him a quick glance then righted herself in the chair. She seemed to then stare at the amber liquid in her glass. That quick glance was enough for Bill to realize how truly exhausted she must really feel. Not knowing the reason for this particular visit, he was not sure how he should approach it. It was very uncharacteristic for Roslin to show any sign of possible weakness. He took a moment to gather himself.

Part of him instinctively wanted to lend her his strength. But he was no bodies fool. If he offered, she'd only balk. Or worse… she'd see him as weak. Realizing he was still standing at his hatch, he took a deep breath. Then he proceeded confidently, though cautiously, into the room proper. After pouring himself a drink he offered to refill hers.

"No Bill." She waved his offer aside.

"Hmmmm, she said Bill. Not Admiral or Adama. Perhaps this was merely a social call and nothing more to worry about", Bill quickly thought to himself and began to relax, anticipating a nice chat.

"We need to talk", she said in a no-nonsense tone.

"Damn", was Bill's only thought.

"How long are you going to keep this farce up? Do you have any idea the lengths I've gone to squash down all this superstition nonsense, from these fringe groups? Only to have you add fuel to their fire?!" Roslin blurted. Bill's raised eyebrow seemed to really pain her, since she began to rub her temples vigorously. "Bill, don't you dare." She all but growled out through her clenched teeth. "Don't you dare sit there and try to look innocent and bewildered. You know exactly what I am talking about."

And he did. She was right there. Though he didn't see this as being within her perview – he actually was surprised she'd waited so long to come see him about it. "She's safe where she is. No one can get to her. I convinced her to move from the brig into the Cylon containment cell. … Well actually Starbuck did most of the convincing."

Seeing the shocked look on Roslin's face made him quickly and wisely reach forward to save the glass tumbler. He didn't even need to pluck it from her fingers – merely catch it as it fell.

"YOU PUT HER WHERE?" as close to a shriek as the woman in front of him ever came.

"The Cylon containment cell, where we used to keep Athena." Seeing Roslin cringe and go back to rubbing her temples, Bill quickly added "It seemed a better solution. She will have much more privacy there than in the brig." When Roslin nailed him with a look that could singe a Raider, Bill refused to bat an eye.

"The accommodations are much more comfortable. She will have more privacy for… daily functions. And will allow her more room to move about." He concluded.

"Bill! The Cylon containment cell? I've been having a hard enough time quelling some of these fringe groups from an old fashioned 'burning' and you see placing her where we kept Cylon prisoners as a good alternative to the brig? At least in the brig … she was still human."

The look in Adama's eyes went from the heat of a Viper's tailpipe to the frigid ice of a polar cap. The tone of Adama's voice sent a shiver down even her spine. God's forbid anyone who tried to harm this woman. A woman he loved as his own.

"TABITHA IS HUMAN"

After a brief pause he added, "She's safe Roslin. No one can get near her without authorization. She's not out wandering the ship, where some lunatic civilian with a misguided notion or ingrained hatred can get to her. Only military personnel can get into that section of the ship."

Roslin hoped for his sake, he was right. But she still wasn't 100% convinced. But for now she'd let it ride. Tabitha was still technically under her jurisdiction – being a civilian. But Bill being the willing woman's adoptive father trumped her hand for the time being. But even she knew keeping Tabitha under lock and key, even if it was to protect her, was folly. Though if she were being honest with herself not even she was sure of any satisfactory solution.

…

A few days later Chief discovered the Temple.

…

It took a moment for George's eyes to adjust to the dim interior of the Major's tent. The precious new plant specimen, only an hour ago, George had painstakingly potted to be sent up to the Galactica and Tabitha, fell from his numb fingers. It took another moment for his numb mind to accept what his eyes were seeing. There near the back, by the desk, Lee was on top of the 'Cocoa Viper'. His face was mere inches from hers. Like a man wading through heavy surf, George lurched forward, crushing the fragile plant. He yanked the Major off the squirming woman and non to gently deposited him on his chair (that had somehow remained upright). Next he had the 'Viper' up in the air, held by her shoulders. George was seeing red.

But as he started to shake the woman he saw as a threat to his 'Lassie', Chief Tyrol rushed into the tent. All four occupants momentarily froze. George, mid shake. Dee, mid eye popping plea of fear, at the look in George's eyes. Lee, mid command to droop Dee – while holding his head. Tyrol's attempt to catch his breath and shock at what he was witnessing inside the tent.

George let go of Dee, like she was rotting refuse and turned to glare at the Major. But he was confused when he saw not guilt, but a sort of relief. Still he was suspicious as to what he'd walked in on. What was the Major's relief from? Was it from being freed of the 'Cocoa Viper'? Or was it due to his not shaking the woman senseless. George was unsure and backed up a few paces.

Meanwhile, as Tyrol tried to catch his breath – Gods he was not a man used to running. He felt the unsettling tension in the dim tent. While his instincts told him to back out of the tent and tense atmosphere, duty told him he must report this discovery ASAP. So he cleared his throat, thinking how exactly he should proceed.

Hearing the sound, Lee re-gathered his wits and turned to face the Chief. "What you have for me Chief?" Lee said in his usual calm tone.

"Ummmm, I found something Sir. Something … uh"

Lee raised his eyebrow at the Chief's hesitation and instantly regretted it. But par per form, Lee merely gritted his teeth to push the pain aside. Tyrol saw his commanding officer grit his teeth. He realized he'd best get it out or perhaps the uncomfortable atmosphere may descend on him in the form of George or the Major's anger.

Clearing his parched throat once more, he began to describe to Lee what he'd found: the Temple in the cave.

…

When the Admiral had the detail put together to monitor Tabitha in the Cylon containment cell, he had no idea two of the five men were part of the group that had beat Helo and the Chief in the Pegasus' cell, after Sharon's attack. No reports had ever been filed. Therefore there was no way for him to know. These two men also were not the ones to regularly enter Tabitha's cell with her meals, so she never saw them. The Chief was down on the planet. And even if he were still on the Galactica, there was no reason for him to visit with Tabitha. Especially since, she would not speak to any visitors besides Starbuck.

While Tabitha was still in the brig, she'd asked Helo to stay away. She stated he already had to deal with enough pressure. Helo had bowed his head in disappointment as he turned to leave, but was brought up short at the last moment. Tabitha had snatched his arm through the bars.

"Trust her Helo. She NEEDS you to trust in her. You MUST trust in her. Your pain and confusion will ultimately bring you joy." Tabby's eyes bored into Helo's for a brief moment. Then she turned her back to him and sat on her cot, facing the wall. Helo left the brig in a full state of confusion, after it became clear Tabby was not going to elaborate further. Thus no one with any knowledge of these two men's previous crimes, were in a position to see them.

Col. Tigh had been put in charge of organizing a guard detail. He chose these two men, along with three others, on Gunny's recommendation. Then he thought nothing more on the matter. Well other than to gripe about the waste of manpower at having Tabitha confined. And the waste of not having her in Life Station were even he knew she belonged.

When Corporal Cain and Corporal Stevens were assigned to the Cylon holding cell they were at first confused – then stunned. When they'd been told of their new assignment, they'd assumed another Cylon had been discovered in the fleet. As ordered, they entered the observation room, behind the two way glass. They peered into the cell, at first through the monitors and then through the large concealing window. Neither expected to see the tiny woman, who had beat them so badly on the Pegasus, on the other side of the glass.

A quick glance at each other, a glance the other people in the room did not see, let them know they were on the same page. …

…

Bill was correct, her new confined space was better. She could use the 'facilities' behind a partial wall for 'privacy'. There was a cot, a small table and two chairs. There was even enough room for her to pace and do some exercises, though her exercises confused the men observing her. To them, it looked like she was part dancing, part straining against an unseen opponent and part exotic stretching. None of them realized it was an ancient form of training to limber and strengthen muscle. All they knew was it was interesting to watch. Therefore it broke up some of their boredom.

Starbuck, being Starbuck, never listened when Tabby told her she should stay away for her own good. She just kept on coming back every day. Kara even brought Tabby her art pad, chalks and pencils. To Starbuck the only two things… ok three things keeping her sane were Casey, her Viper and Tabitha's friendship and unconditional peaceful understanding. She had no intention of leaving her friend here to rot on her own.

Starbuck would tell Tabby of her visits to 'camp oil slick' to visit Casey and her mother. Talk about her Viper patrols and of her visits planet side. And any other gossip she could remember. After Tabby's initial mock scowl at seeing her friend once again, her face would brighten with warmth. Though Kara did notice Tabby's eyes would stray to the mirrored window quite often. When Tabby looked at the glass she had an unknown look on her face. Was it concentration? Was it apprehension? Kara didn't know. But it almost looked like she was listening to something Kara herself could not hear. But Kara pushed those thoughts aside, assuming it was just this place that set her friend on edge.

Kara had already confronted the Admiral when Tabby was still being confined to the brig. Though she didn't agree with the Admiral, she understood and accepted his reasoning of trying to keep Tabby safe. She too had begun to hear the strange rumors that were circulating around the ship. Even more so in 'camp oil slick' she overheard odd tales and rumors about her friend. Still Kara thought this was just overkill. Kara was sure Tabby would be safe out among the crew. But knowing she was not going to sway her Commander any time soon, she suggested putting her friend in a more comfortable environment. Hence the move to the Cylon holding cell.

On one of Kara's visits, she took note of some of Tabby's drawings. They looked like some kind of ancient temple. When she asked about them, all Tabby said with a shrug, "I keep seeing them. I cannot seem to get the image of that beautiful cave out of my head."

Later that same day Kara overheard they were shifting more equipment down to the surface. They'd found something.

Two days later, just before Starbuck was make another 'milk run' to the surface, she went to visit her friend. Shortly before it was time for her to leave, Tabby's eyes grew round for a moment and she tightly clutched Kara's hands. Then instantly let go as if she'd been burned.

"You must be careful Kara. It's no longer safe here" she said quietly. Then she looked down at Kara's hands with sadness, "Oh your hands" she gasped. Then she was instantly on her feet. Though Tabby's face seemed a bit pale confusing Kara even more, the small woman managed a small smile. Then she gave Kara a quick, firm hug. "Remember – believe in yourself" she quietly said into Kara ear, then gently pushed her away towards the exit.

Kara was startled and confused to say the least. But seeing her friend walk to the corner of her cell, Kara realized her visit was at an end. She knew she had no time to question her friend further. It was time for her to do her pre-flight. As Kara was exiting the cell, she looked back at Tabby. "I'll see you tomorrow Tab's"

Tabby never turned around, but did respond in a soft voice. "I will see you again."

As Kara made her way to the flight deck, she wondered about Tabby's final soft spoken statement. It was the first time the tiny woman seemed to welcome, even encourage her daily visits. Where in the past few days Tabby always had ended their visits by saying she shouldn't waste her time by coming back. Heading towards the flight deck with a smile on her face, Kara saw this as a great improvement. And she was already thinking on what they could talk about on tomorrows visit.

…

Cain and Stevens could not believe either their misfortune or luck, when they were assigned to guard this woman. Neither had forgotten the beating they took at her hands. Since being assigned to this detail they'd planned and plotted how best to use this Gods given situation to their advantage. They also let two other men in on their plans. The two other men involved with making a point to those two Cylon lovers. They plotted to have their revenge. They'd planned to take this tiny abomination of a woman and sell her to a man on the Promethius. Let him deal with her and see if she stayed so high and mighty. They were sure it would take no time at all to break the spirit of this tiny woman. Their plan seemed simple enough. Knock her out, tie and gag her, stuff her into a duffle bag. Fortunately she was so small she should fit easily. Then they were going to put her onto a transport. Simple they thought. All they had to do was not get caught on the way to the transport ship. And if she wasn't able to call out or squirm, that should not be a problem.

Then the Cylons found them.

When the Cylons jumped into orbit around the algae planet, all hell broke loose. The Admiral had the Fleet make an emergency jump, but could not jump the Galactica. They still had people down on the surface. There was also the matter of discovering what that ancient temple could tell them. Couldn't let the Cylons win the discovery for themselves.

Cain and Stevens plans which they had been fully ready to carry out, had to be put on hold. When a Cylon delegation boarded the Galactica, they began to wonder if their plans really did need to be put on hold. It didn't take the two guards long to think through the risks and rewards of this new situation. Already the other two men involved were stationed on the flight deck, as their usual posting. After only a brief hesitation, it was decided the risk of being caught with their ... prize... was well worth the reward. With the beefed up security they even had what they thought was a viable cover story set. Accidents happened all the time on a war ship. It was as good an explanation as any other. ... They set their plan into motion.