Chapter Four - Playing Doctors and Nurses.
It was as if time had stood still, as the fleet's military leader hit the ground, those that had witnessed the last few frightening minutes, rushed into action. Guns were pulled, but without the leadership to know where to point them, the majority fixed themselves on D'Anna but a few shaky arms pointed at the other Cylons that were standing watching the events unfold. Tigh concerned at the backlash of dealing with blonde Cylon troublemaker with a quick shot to the head, was relieved when his command to drop their weapons, had the humans automatically holstering their guns before they thought through who they were taking orders from.
D'Anna had watched in horror as her Centurion had listened to the counter commands of Tigh rather than her own. She watched with no great care one way or another as the humans pulled their weapons and then put them away again, a bored expression on her face, noting only that once again Tigh was catalyst to survival – her's this time. If the Final Five had more power over the machines than she, and other models, then they had just lost a big advantage, because as things stood of the newly arrived four only the one named Tory was seeing things their way! She stepped away from the scene backwards before turning her back on the humans and walking away out of the camp towards the waters edge to sit down and watch the aftermath.
Lee had watched as his father was lifted high into the air, his struggles growing weaker before he was finally released, falling like a puppet whose strings had been cut. He, like so many others had observed the one sided fight in utter shock, unable to move his feet in fear that to do so, would bring about his father's death more rapidly. Now that danger had receded he was quick to run over to his father's side calling for a doctor as he went.
Laura, of course, was already there and down by the Admiral's side in seconds. She called his name in hope of a response from the prone man. When it came it wasn't what she hoped for as Adama started to cough violently. She sat on the ground and gently pulled his head up onto her lap to try and relieve the spasms.
As Lee knelt down beside his father, Kara came over with some water and Lee helped him take a few small sips, watching as he swallowed with a grimace on his face.
"What do we do with her?" Kara nodded her head in the direction of D'Anna.
"Nothing," Laura was quick to answer before anyone else got involved. "I want things to calm down right now, the Admiral and I will discuss it once he is able."
"But," Kara started.
"I mean it Lieutenant; your job right now is to cool heads, stay sober and composed."
"Yes, Madam President," Starbuck sent a sloppy salute in Laura's direction before taking a final look at the Admiral to see he was going to be alright and turning away.
Bill groaned suddenly, causing Laura to whip round and concentrate on the man that was draped across her lap.
"Lee, can you find out what has happened to the doctor, please?" She said the worry evident in her voice. Watching as he quickly got up in search of medical help.
Her attention focused she fretted, "Bill? Bill, can you hear me?"
His eyes had a dazed look; they were open, but not focusing on her but towards the wrecked table.
He managed to croak a, "Yes," out of his abused throat though and Laura continued with the gentle questioning, trying to assess how he was.
"How do you feel, are you alright?"
"No."
"What's wrong?" She frowned, in worry, at his unusually honest answer about his own health.
"Look at my frakking maps, they're ruined!" He gasped in annoyance.
"Gods give me strength," Laura muttered under her breath, she had learnt over the last few months that Bill was a little, anal shall we say, about his work, everything had a place, pieces of paper shouldn't be folded unless absolutely necessary, he liked them crisp!
He had very nearly died a few minutes ago and he was worried that his map had a crease in it!
"You, Bill," She said patiently, "How do you feel? The doctor is coming anyway"
The words set him off immediately, "I don't need a doctor." He argued, trying to get his body moving with limited success but taking in the scene around him, he noticed the Cylon machine standing a distance away, as if nothing had happened.
A sudden thought struck him and he stopped trying the rather futile attempt to get up, after all there were worse places to be than lying with your head resting in the President's lap.
"Laura?"
"Yes?"
He asked with a little confusion, "What…what actually happened, how did you stop the tin soldier?"
If the Cylon had been scattered in little pieces all over the ground he could understand that but unless D'Anna had suddenly backed down, it was all somewhat bewildering. To be honest his head was spinning, and he hadn't felt like this since the last big drinking session with…Saul…who was also standing watching a few paces away. He didn't look half as good as Laura though. Damn he was woozy. It wasn't an unpleasant feeling though and the idea of Laura being his nursemaid flitted through his head - sending a ridiculous grin across his face.
She looked quickly at Tigh and answered his question seriously, "We need to talk about that in private."
Not really following much, or really remembering what he had asked he blurted out the only thing that came to mind, as he continued to grin, "About you being my nursemaid?"
"What!" She said slightly shocked, but as she took a closer look, it was clear to see that he wasn't really focused and she played along. Even as she worried about him, she quipped quietly, "Bill Adama, I had no idea what sort of man you were, first you want me dancing naked round camp fires, now you fancy me dressing up in skimpy nurses' outfits. My mother warned me about boys like you with odd fetishes."
"Oh great, that's something that will live with me for the rest of my life!" Boomed the voice from behind.
Laura turned and smiled, "Jack."
"What the frak you been doing this time?" Cottle grumbled as he got to his knees beside the Admiral.
"The Centurion had him by the throat, he was passed out at one stage, but came round pretty quickly," Laura informed the Doctor seriously.
"You been picking on the toasters again, Admiral, you should probably go for something your own size next time," Jack said as he began to examine him.
"Would have been fine if I had remembered my tin opener," Bill said, words forced out of his abused throat.
"Shut up and let me do the talking," Jack said with his usual blunt manner.
The doctor worked swiftly checking his blood pressure, which was always a worry in these scenarios. He checked for swelling inside and out and called one of his nurses over to fetch some oxygen. Waving off the protests of the military leader, "It's just to get your levels up a bit."
"Right, your choice, oxygen out here or in your tent," As the Admiral opened his mouth to argue the doctor continued, "Those are the only options make your mind up and fast."
"Tent," was the miserable sounding mumble that came out of Bill's mouth.
"Can you walk or…." Cottle was interrupted gruffly before finishing.
"Course I can walk," the Admiral said already fighting to get up. It took a couple of helping hands to get him to his feet but once there he stood solid.
The party made there way slowly over to the tent having been joined by Lee, Laura made a point of including Tigh, who after waiting for someone to complain about the offer followed them when none came.