Sparks
Missing scene from 2.07 "Home part 2"
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Galactica:
The speeches were over; the fleet had been put back together. Hopefully the wounds would begin to heal now.
Laura glanced sideways at the Commander as he escorted her back to his quarters. The ceremony on the hangar deck had been his idea, which pleased her. When she first met him, she wouldn't have credited him with the political acumen to think of such a thing.
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Kobol:
"When we return to the fleet, we need to do something to heal this breach," he said, helping her over the steep terrain. "A public gesture, from both of us."
"They need to see mom and dad kiss and make up?" she asked, somewhat facetiously.
"I wouldn't have quite put it that way," he replied, but the hint of a smile played about his lips.
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Galactica:
Her speech had been relatively short and to-the-point. Reinforcing 'family', 'need-to-pull-together' and most importantly, that they were heading in the right direction on the path to Earth. That last point had heartened the crowd immensely.
She'd called Adama back up to the podium. He'd publicly shown his support for her, by leading the applause when she'd stepped up to speak, and she needed to make a similar gesture. With the crowd cheering their approval, she'd bestowed the ceremonial of kisses of alliance, trust and friendship on his cheeks. Mom and dad kissing and making up indeed.
The crowds dispersed to their own celebrations or duties, while the two 'leaders of humanity' had agreed upon a quiet drink.
Adama's quarters were the haven she remembered. The smell of leather, books and a hint of aftershave permeated the air. It was the most 'home-like' place she knew of in the fleet and she'd always felt comfortable here, even when the two of them didn't get along.
"Do you mind if I take my shoes off?" she asked, as he moved to the sideboard to pour them a drink. "After three days of hiking my feet are killing me."
"Make yourself at home," he offered.
She took him at his word, kicking her heels off and sinking gratefully into the softness of the couch. It felt so good to be sitting that she groaned out loud with relief.
"You've had a rough few days," he noted, handing her a glass.
"Rough few weeks," she corrected. "Since we broke out of the brig, we've been on the move almost constantly."
His eyes darkened at the reminder he had thrown her in prison. But if mistakes were to be avoided in future, they needed to acknowledge the mistakes of the past.
"I think the worst was the meat locker," she continued lightly. "After two days surrounded by the smell of meat - even if it was frozen - I was just about ready to become a vegetarian."
He smiled wryly.
"Have I apologized for that yet?" he asked.
"Yes, but you can do so again if you'd like," she replied with a smile and a magnanimous wave of her hand.
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Kobol:
They were silent for a long time, slipping and sliding down the path from the tomb. It wasn't as difficult as the climb up, but Laura felt herself flagging.
When she stumbled yet again, Bill called another rest break.
She sank onto a fallen tree trunk, completely exhausted. She was tired, wet and unbelievably dirty. All she wanted now was a shower, a hot meal, and to sleep for a week. Frak getting to Earth.
"I want to apologize," Bill said abruptly, sitting next to her.
She looked up and met his eyes with a querying gaze.
"For throwing you in the brig," he elaborated. "I was angry; furious that you'd overstepped your bounds, but I should have found a way to work around the problem instead of incarcerating you." Pause. "Especially if I'd known you were sick."
Laura froze a moment: there it was - the elephant in the room. Her cancer.
She looked away, unable to meet that compassionate gaze.
"Why didn't you tell me, Laura?" he continued softly, as if he were talking to a frightened child.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to meet his eyes again.
"I found out the morning I left Caprica for Galactica's decommissioning ceremony," she said slowly. It was time to be completely candid with him.
"In the beginning, there was so much friction between us. You really didn't like me, and I thought..." she shrugged with a wry grin, "Well, let's just say I thought less than complimentary things about you.
"But then we started pulling together, working more as a team. We didn't always agree but..." Sigh. "By that time I had gotten used to keeping the secret. Only Jack, Billy, Lee and Elosha knew.
"And I was afraid that the people... that you... would lose faith in my ability to be President. You have to understand: my illness doesn't matter. Finding a new home for humanity is my overriding concern."
She smiled sadly at him.
"But your apology is accepted."
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Galactica:
"So what should we drink to?" he asked, lifting his glass.
"To friendship and family," she toasted, raising her own glass.
"To friendship and family, Madam President."
Laura hesitated, then sipped the wine. On Kobol, they had been Laura and Bill. Now they had returned to the fleet, were they supposed to go back to "Commander" and "Madam President"?
"I have a request," she said softly, placing her glass on the coffee table, and drawing her legs beneath her on the couch.
He cocked an eyebrow; a slightly wary expression coming over his face.
"It's all right, it's not going to cost you anything," she said with whimsical humor. "Back on the planet…" She hesitated, unsure how to broach the topic, then started with an oblique approach. "Did you know that the only people in this fleet willing to call me by my first name are Jack Cottle and Elosha? And now with Elosha gone..." Her eyes misted, and she took a deep breath, wrapping her arms about herself. He sat silently, waiting for her to continue.
"Back on the planet, we were 'Laura' and 'Bill'. Do you think, at least in private..."
"That we stay 'Laura' and 'Bill'?" he finished for her.
She nodded.
He placed his glass on the table, and offered her his hand. She reached out and grasped it with her own.
"Laura," he intoned, her name rolling off his lips.
"Bill," she returned, looking into his eyes and seeing for the first time the same loneliness that lay in her own heart.
The moment lasted a few seconds, then the mood between them shifted. Just a little, but she was suddenly aware of the warm skin surrounding her hand, the look in his eyes. That same look she'd caught at odd moments over the last five or so months, but had not expected to see again now that he knew she was dying. His thumb unconsciously stroked the sensitive skin of her wrist and she suppressed the spark of desire that shot through her.
Shaken, she withdrew her hand, and grabbed for her glass. He let her go, and retrieved his own.
Their eyes met, and both knew the other knew.
"To friendship and family," Laura repeated the toast softly.