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Days 64-65

News of Adama's return brought Emma temporary relief. She expected that he would denounce Tigh, reach out to her mother and resolve the crisis. The realization that he was not prepared to forgive or work with Laura came as a shock and left a knot in Emma's stomach, especially after the fleet began to jump. She considered asking the Commander to let her go, to let a Raptor take her to the Astral Queen, but Dee's reports of the Commander's poor attitude squandered that notion.

The messages she received from her mother helped. Initial written notes of encouragement became scrambled messages Dee was able to intercept and finally another note.

Emma

Everything is going according to plan. It's been a very hard week but we'll be together soon. I love you. Be safe.

Mom

"What does it say?" Dee asked joining Emma in the bunk.

"Kara's back. They're going to Kobol."

A hint of a smile appeared on Dee's face at the news of hope not yet lost. "They're going to find the way to Earth."

Emma looked over at Dualla and saw a look of optimism she hadn't seen before. Her distant eyes glowed with a dream of an ending. Emma couldn't bring herself to share her faith but it felt good to know her mother's battle was helping people on the fleet. If only superficially.

"My Mom is determined. Hopefully the Commander isn't equally as stubborn. Even if she finds the map I don't know that he'll let them join the fleet. He's pretty angry."

"I hear you've been staying with Dualla aboard Galactica." Bill greeted as Emma entered his quarters.

"Yes sir." Emma solemnly replied forcing herself to look him in the eyes. Up to this point her visits to the Commander had left her feeling comforted but the summons she received for this visit put her on edge.

"I'm told your mother's aide kept you on the ship for safe keeping." Bill continued with a hint of a smile. "It looks to me like we've traded kids."

"Seems that way." Emma agreed, not ready to warm up to the Commander.

"Sit down. I was sorry to hear about the cancer. I can imagine it's been pretty rough."

"Yeah." Emma replied with a slight nod. "She's the dying leader that will lead us to earth - that's the silver lining. At least that's what she keeps telling me."

"The arrow and the tomb will lead us to the map." Bill summarized, still trying to comprehend their circumstances. "I guess we better help her find it then."

"We?" Emma repeated looking up in surprise.

"I've been told on multiple occasions that your mother decides what's in your best interest. Since she's not here, I assume that responsibility falls to you. It won't be an easy journey," Bill warned. "I imagine you're read the prophecy."

"And Zeus warned the leaders of the 12 tribes that any return to Kobol would exact a price in blood." Emma quoted from the scripture. "I know it but I'm not exactly sure I believe it."

"I can appreciate the skepticism."

"I just want to see my Mom."

"Then let's go find her."

"Commander." Laura greeted, pleased to see Bill walk through the foliage.

"It's good to see you." Bill returned an unfamiliar pang in his heart at the sight of Laura. "I brought someone-"

"Mom!" Emma exclaimed rushing into Laura's arms.

"Emma!" Laura cried holding her close. "I've missed you."

"Madame President." Billy greeted, keeping his distance from the pair.

"Billy, you have no idea what it means to me to have you here. To have both of you here." Laura added giving Emma a kiss before letting her go.

"It's good to see you too." Billy agreed, pleased at the warm welcome.

"How are you doing?" Laura asked unable to resist brushing back Emma's hair and stroking her face.

"I'm good. I stayed with Dee. It was fine." Emma assured more concerned about Laura, whose skin looked pale and eyes more hollow than when they last saw each other. "Do you have medicine?"

"I do." Laura nodded.

"Where's Elosha?" Emma wondered looking around the camp.

Laura paused and remembered the haunted look on the priestess' face. "She's gone."

"Oh." Emma replied stunned by the news and uncertain of how to respond. It was no secret she disliked the woman.

"Why don't you go hang out with Kara and Lee. She can show you the arrow." Laura suggested looking across the camp and trusting the 10 foot distance.

"Okay." Emma said standing up. "I'll be careful. I don't talk to the Eight or Zarek." Emma added for good measure.

"I can't believe you brought her down here." Laura said once Emma was gone.

"I was reminded by a member of the crew that parents had been separated from their children for too long."

"No, no." Laura protested, shaking her head and smiling. "I'm glad. I shouldn't be, I know, but I needed to see her. I don't know how much time I have and I don't want to spend anymore of it apart. I know she doesn't understand but all of this is for her."

"I appreciate your dedication to your daughter. I'm a father, I understand, but you interfered with a military mission and you broke your word to me."

"It's the second part that really bothers you, isn't it?"

"Laura, I forgive you." Bill continued looking her in the eyes and searching for something she couldn't give him.

"Thank you Bill but I didn't ask for your forgiveness." Laura reminded with a smile.

"Well you have it anyway."

"They look pretty chummy over there." Kara observed with a grin. "You know what they say about big fights…"

"Gods Kara!" Lee cringed, unable to resist glancing over at his father and the President.

"What do they say?" Emma asked, her curiosity outweighing her desire to hide her ignorance.

"Better make up se-"

"Sessions." Lee completed, giving Kara a death stare. "I'm sure they'll work out a nice compromise for the fleet."

"Oh." Emma replied unconvinced but unwilling to press. "Can I see the arrow?"

"Sure. Don't break it. It was a bitch to get." Kara said handing over her prize.

"I bet. What was it like?" Emma asked entranced by the ancient artifact.

"Unbelievable." Kara admitted, her thoughts returning to the barren planet. "It's lost, a nuclear wasteland but there are survivors. We'll have to go back."

"Survivors!" Emma gasped. "How is that possible?"

"They were outside the radiation zone and able to access anti-radiation medication. They are fighting the cylons with guerrilla tactics. They're strong. They'll hold on until the rescue."

"That's incredible." Emma replied in disbelief. "How many people are there?"

"Enough."

"How many cylons?" Emma wondered following Lee's gaze to the Eight and Agathon. "Who is she?"

"She says she's Sharon but a different Sharon. I say it's a trap." Lee replied carefully monitoring the Agathons.

"I don't know. She's pregnant, they say they're in love."

"Pregnant!" Emma gasped her eyes wide at the notion. "How?"

"Well kiddo I think that's something you should talk to your Mom about."

"Haha." Emma replied dryly, Kara's insinuations from early suddenly making sense. "I'm familiar with the process. I meant- she's a machine."

"I'll be honest, I didn't ask for details." Kara said shaking her head at the stories from Helo she already had. "All I know is she saved our asses on Caprica and Helo trusts her. I guess that's good enough."

"Can I talk to her?" Emma couldn't help but ask.

"No." Lee replied firmly. "Don't go near her. Stay with us."

"Yeah, yeah. Don't talk to strangers. I know the drill."

"I never thought I'd be happy to be back here." Emma sighed collapsing onto her cot on Colonial One.

"It is good to be back." Laura agreed sitting in her chair.

"So can we agree to no more mutiny?" Emma asked leaning over the edge of her make-shift bed. "Or at least take me with you next time."

"I didn't want to leave you Em. I wanted you with me."

"You told me to stay on the ship when Colonel Tigh took you to the brig."

"That was different." Laura sighed, hopes for a peaceful evening so quickly dashed. "You couldn't go to the brig."

"You knew you'd end up there when you told Kara to take the raider."

"I had to do what I did. For you and for the fleet. I'm not going to apologize for that." Laura replied sitting forward and looking at Emma. "I love you. I will do whatever is necessary to keep you safe. I'm not going to ask your permission and I don't care if you like it. I'm your mother and it's my job. Now I hate being away from you and I'll do everything I can to make sure our time part is limited for these next few weeks."

"Weeks?" Emma repeated, her face falling at the timeframe.

"Months?" Laura helplessly offered. "Whatever time we have left."

You disappeared Bill said walking out on the dock, the bright morning sun reflecting off the water.

"You really are new at this." Laura observed with a grin. "You should come in. The water is wonderful. It's crystal clear – like looking through glass."

"I'm not a big swimmer." Bill confessed watching Laura intently and she bobbed up and down in the lake.

Laura laughed at Bill's stodginess. "You're an old man Bill."

"I don't recall you saying that last night." Bill shot back with a sly smile.

"Touche."

"I made breakfast if you're hungry."

"And he cooks." Laura muttered, pleasantly surprised. Wading over to the dock Laura pulled herself up the ladder. "Hand me a towel."

Bill waited and admired Laura's red bikini before handing over the towel. "You look good."

Laura blushed at the compliment and shook her head. "What did you make for breakfast?"