"Sir?"
Abby glanced up to find Lee standing hesitantly by the door to the infirmary.
"Captain Apollo, you up next?"
He nodded, closing the door behind him, "If you're ready, sir."
Abby winked at him as he took a seat on the exam table, "Born ready."
Pulling on the blood pressure cuff, she began a basic inventory of his vitals. All the personnel who took stims during the last wave of attacks required a follow-up to clear them for duty. Like everyone who came in today, his muscles twitched sporadically beneath her hands. Given their circumstances, Abby let the nerves pass.
"How you feeling, Captain?"
"Fine."
Finished with her exam, she sat on a stool, smiling at him, "Sleeping ok?"
Apollo tilted his head to the side before nodding, the gesture too quick and forced.
"Really?"
Apollo sighed, whispering, "I can't stop thinking about it."
"The Olympic Carrier?"
His jaw tense, his eyes met hers reluctantly, regret marking his handsome features.
Licking her lips, she chose her words carefully, "Given the circumstances, I think that's a natural reaction, Captain. I would be more worried if you weren't thinking about it."
His lips twitched in a faint smile, before he artfully changed the subject, "Are you looking forward to the President's visit today?"
Abby smiled widely, "I'm looking forward to watching her compete with the Commander in who can make the other more uncomfortable."
Apollo scoffed, "My father's hardly known for his social graces."
"And Laura's stubborn as a mule. Still, I think if they ever found a way to talk to each other, they'd make a great team."
He titled his head, murmuring, "So say we all."
Raising his eyebrows, he gave her a tight smile before he stood stiffly.
As he walked by, Abby grabbed his hand, holding it loosely. "Just—give it time, Lee."
He squeezed her hand before slowly letting go, his boots clapping on the floor as he left.
Laura stepped tentatively through the door to the sick bay, her eyes immediately finding Abby.
"How's the tour, Madam President? Like what you see?"
Laura smiled, nodding, "It's very impressive." Turning, she gestured to Adama, "Commander, this is my niece, Abby Wilson."
"I don't believe I've had the pleasure yet."
"It's nice to meet you, Commander."
"The President tells me you've been working in our infirmary."
"Doing what I can to help, sir."
Adama smiled tightly, his eyes appraising her. "We're glad to have you aboard, Nurse."
Grabbing her opportunity, Abby spoke pointedly to Laura, "Dr. Cottle's in the back. Didn't you need to see him?"
Laura ducked her head, her face painted with an aggravated smile, "Another time perhaps. I believe the Commander has a schedule to keep."
Abby rolled her eyes before nodding at the Commander as their large group departed.
"Commander, you called me?"
"Yes, Abby. Sit down."
She sat on the couch, glancing around the oversized room, constantly surprised by the new nooks she encountered aboard.
He offered a glass of water, before taking the chair beside her, "I apologize it took till today to formally meet you. I usually like to know everyone aboard my ship."
Abby held the cup between her fingers, marveling at the liquid inside. "It's been unusual times."
"I've asked around and my staff have good things to say about you; including the doc, which I don't think I need to tell you, is rare."
She smiled, "I'm glad I can help."
"I'm happy to hear you say that, because I have an additional request. I'd like you to serve under Doc Cottle full-time."
Abby stared at him. "I'm not a Warrior, sir."
"I realize that. But like you said, these are unusual times and I need my people healthy and working."
Adama sat patiently as she processed his request.
Gathering her courage, she asked, "May I speak freely?"
He nodded, shifting forward in his chair, his open and attentive expression reminding her briefly of his son.
"I'm honored by the request. It's just, I—I've been working with many of the civilian ships, arranging the care of nearly a hundred injured people."
"Doc Cottle mentioned that. He believes you're more than capable of juggling those responsibilities with the care needed aboard Galactica."
Abby nodded absentmindedly, her gaze dropping to the floor. Over the last weeks, she found herself enjoying her work aboard the battleship. Her hesitation lay in the flood of imagined images of her aunt's deteriorating health over the coming months.
"Simply, Abby, we need you."
Raising her head, she nodded resolutely, "Then you have me, sir."
Turning the corner sharply, Abby ran straight into a solid wall of blue and polyester.
"Frak! I'm sorry!"
She looked up to find Lee smiling at her, his hands on her shoulders, steadying her. "No damage done; though I'm a little surprised to still see you here, Nurse."
She shifted back a step, self-consciously running a hand through her mangled hair, "I work here now."
Lee's eyebrow quirked, "Really?"
"Your—Commander Adama asked me to stay, work with Doc Cottle."
Lee snorted, "The President just asked me to be her advisor to the military."
Her head jerked up in surprise, "I guess they do think alike."
He nodded, scratching the back of his head, "I was actually on my way to tell my father."
Abby whistled, "Enjoy, Captain."
Lee grinned, raising his eyebrows, "Yea."
"That's good though," He squinted at her speculatively, causing her to stumble over her words, "It's good that you'll be helping her—them," she chuckled, a warm blush creeping up her chest, "I just mean, they could use someone like you mediating."
Apollo pressed his lips together, shifting on his feet, "I don't think anyone's called me a peacemaker before."
"It's a good opportunity, Captain."
"Same to you, Nurse."
Her lips stretched in flattered delight as he scoffed, dropping his head.
Raising his eyes, he spoke softly, "I look forward to seeing more of you, Abby."