That night, Bill returns from his shift in the CIC and as he is about to go to the head he finds that Laura has had a small burst of newfound energy. She is waiting for him on the couch and seductively, with a hint of vulnerability, says, "Bill, come with me." She leads him down the hallways and he finds that he does not know where they are going because he is so caught up in this energetic side of Laura that has not shown in forever. Laura stops at a hatch and pulls it open, guiding Bill into the room and then following him once she closes the hatch.

"What do you think?" Laura asks, again with a hint of vulnerability.

Bill looks around the Observation Room and then looks at what Laura created for them. He smiles at the bedding that is placed in the middle of the room so they can look at the stars. He notices the last bottle of wine in existence that he has kept hidden for so long, never having a good enough reason to open it, and the two wine glasses that are sitting beside it. He looks at all the candles that are lit beside the bedding and in front of the large observation window. He then turns to look at Laura and sees her in an all new light. "It's beautiful, Laura, just like you." He places his hand underneath her chin and kisses her with a gentle intensity. He takes her trembling hand and leads her down the steps toward their space.

They both sit down on the soft bedding and Laura opens the bottle of wine, pouring two glasses very carefully. He takes off his shoes and then slips Laura's high heels off her feet. She hands one of the glasses to Bill and then takes a sip out of hers. "I just thought that maybe we could have a real honeymoon for one night. Just one night while I'm up for it."

Bill leans back against the pillows and lets Laura lean against his side, both taking small sips out of their glasses. "Bill, what do you miss the most?"

He takes a moment to answer, seriously putting thought into his reply. "I miss this. Not this specifically, but being able to relax, to enjoy myself. When I used to go on shore leave, I was able to just pick up a book and sit down on the couch and read for hours and hours. Saul would always try and set me up with women, but I didn't go because, because I didn't believe in love back then. I had tried once and it obviously didn't work so I just gave up. I spent hours just reading and trying to not think about life. It worked, for a little bit."

"What happened?" Laura says, completely caught up in Bill's story.

"This, the war, you. I became entirely caught up in the war and then all of a sudden I realized that I loved you. Before that happened, when it was still just about the war, I missed being able to relax. But now, I don't miss anything." He pauses for a short time and squeezes Laura tighter against him. "What about you, Laura? What do you miss the most?"

"Oh, me," Laura says and wipes at the tears filling her eyes. She takes a moment and looks out at the stars. "I don't really miss anything. I had nothing left for me on Caprica. In fact, I shouldn't even be here right now." At Bill's questioning look, she finishes her thought, "President Adar asked me to hand in my resignation papers once I returned from the decommissioning of Galactica. That was supposed to be my last act as Secretary of Education. I found out I had terminal breast cancer that same morning."

"That little bastard. I always knew he was a horrible president and person."

"I got over that, Bill," Laura says with a smile.

"Did you not have any family back on Caprica?"

"No, I didn't. My mom died from breast cancer when I was much younger than I am now. I helped her all the way to the end. She was a teacher, had been for years. I know she would have loved you. Both of my sisters and my dad were killed in a car accident quite a few years later, a drunk driver. My sister was about to have a little boy when that happened. I was about to be an aunt. I didn't have any kids of my own and I didn't have any kind of man in my life. I had off and on relationships, but nothing serious, not until you. I had absolutely nothing left for me on Caprica."

Bill takes Laura's wine glass out of her hand and then places both of them on the nearby table. He places his hand underneath her chin and turns her head so she is facing him. He leans in toward her and kisses her. He kisses the salty tears off her cheeks and then once again kisses her lips. He then whispers against her ear, "Would you like to dance?"

"Sure," Laura says.

Bill stands up and offers Laura his hand to help her stand up as well. She takes his hand and he pulls her up. They walk in front of the bedding and he places his arm around her small waist. She then places her shaky hand on his shoulder and leans her head against his chest. Without her heels, Laura is much shorter than Bill. He hugs her tight to him and they sway back and forth to a silent rhythm. He hears her sniff and then she says, "I love you, Bill. You have no idea how much I love you." He leans slightly away from her so he can look into her eyes. They are full of love and unshed tears, making them appear crystal green. He places a soft kiss on her lips.

Suddenly, Laura hugs Bill tight to her and doesn't let go. He takes her in his arms, walks onto the bedding, and slowly lowers them both down. He slowly pulls the blanket over him and Laura and lies against the pillow. His fingers trace where the hem of her shirt rides up her back, exposing a sliver of her soft, ivory skin.

Laura turns over onto her side and caresses Bill's Admiral wings, thinking back to that moment so long ago when he kissed her the first time. She kisses Bill languidly and slowly begins to unbutton his uniform jacket but her hands give her trouble.

Bill whispers, "Here, let me help."

"No, I can do this," Laura replies with confidence. She slowly makes her way down the column of buttons. She slides the jacket off Bill's arms and then next comes his tanks. They are both tossed off to the side. She unbuttons and unzips his pants, sliding them off his legs, then his underwear.

Bill slides Laura's jacket off of her arms and then pulls her blouse off. He runs his hands down her arms and across her stomach. He unbuttons and unzips her slacks and slides them off her legs. He reaches around her and slowly unclasps her bra, sliding the straps off her shoulders and down her arms. Pulling her underwear off, he tosses them next to the rest of their clothes. He trails his lips across her prominent collar bone and she runs her tongue across his chest. Bill begins to massage her breasts, receiving a moan in return. He runs his hand up her thigh and kisses her lips. She can feel the muscles of his abdomen flex hard against her. She matches his passion with her own and she rolls on top of him.

"You are good," Bill whispers.

"You have no idea," Laura replies breathlessly. Her heart is pounding high in her chest from excitement. Suddenly she clings to Bill, needing to feel every part of him she can touch.

Bill is not looking at her but into her, the candle light dancing in his eyes. He gives her a searing, intense kiss, one that speaks of every emotion he feels. He wraps his arms around her neck and pulls her to him as they get closer and closer. He slips himself inside of her. They hold on to each other hungrily, her passion matching his as they explore each other, reaching and reaching to satisfy what they ache for.

I hope you enjoyed it! Reviews are loved!