Title: Reflections – One Step Forward Two Steps Back Chapter 10 Bait

Author: GEM

Date written: 6/1/06

Rated: K+

Word count: 873

Story Timeline: season 1

Category: Drama

Warnings: none

Characters: Roslin/Adama

Summary: Denial and Realizations

Spoiler: Hand of God

Author's Note: Something different, a reflection on how the relationship between Laura Roslin and Bill Adama has changed. We start with 33 and we will finish with Lay Down Your Burdens Each Chapter I have written will be in either or Both of the Character's POV's and has been started by a one or two word prompt I have picked based on the happenings in each episode. I hope you enjoy. It might get sticky please just hold on for the ride.

Laura Roslin watched and listened as Starbuck and Apollo went through the Battle plan. The plan itself was sound. The problem was that none of them could out think the cylons. The Freighters and the people on them were bait. Bait to be used for the benefit of the fleet against the cylons.

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The plan was risky, yes. It was out of the box exactly what he asked for. The pitch was over. Bill had weighed in and the room was silent.

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It would be simple for Laura to tell him that she didn't approve. This whole nightmare would be over but it wasn't that simple. They needed that fuel and to get it they needed to do this. It wasn't over. "You have your decoys." As Laura finished the statement she felt her stomach knot and as she left the room the last thing she heard made the knot tighter. "The operation begins in forty-eight hours." There was no turning back now.

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Bill Adama watched her go. He couldn't help but the notice the uncertain look in her cobalt eyes it was a look a causal observer was sure to miss but not him. The two of them had been through too much. He knew the decision was difficult and it was hers but they had no other option. They had to fight to survive.

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Laura wandered the corridors aimlessly and deep in thought. It was nice and cruel at the same time to finally have time to herself. The officers that passed her gave polite smiles she did her best to return them but she had an overwhelming desire to be alone. Billy must have caught the look in eyes. The look that says help me, because he took her elbow and ushered her away. They took a short walk around the twists and turns of the Galactica corridors and then stopped in front of a large hatchway. Billy opened and motioned for her to enter. She did so and he waited outside standing guard with the rest of her detail.

She stood at the top of the observation deck alone with her eyes closed soaking in the peaceful atmosphere. Perfection, Billy, thank you she thought. She opened her eyes and walked down the stairs and over the pillows strewn on the deck. She stopped in front of the observation window and was once again lost in her personal hell of stars, visions and thoughts.

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Bill Adama searched for her for what seemed like an eternity. He turned the corner by the observation deck and finally found what he was looking for. He walked by Billy and smiled. He opened the hatch and step quietly inside. He looked down from the top of the deck at Laura Roslin. She looked troubled and it he didn't know better he'd say it wasn't just because of the mission. She also looked beautiful in the starlight. Bill was trying to remember the first time he thought of Laura Roslin in this way He honestly couldn't remember but he had an overwhelming desire to protect her from harm. He walked down to the window and stood next to her.

"The stars are beautiful."

Laura jumped at the sound of his voice but somehow felt a calm wash over her she looked to her side and then back out into the blackness of space. "I used to think so." Her voice was small.

"And now?"

Laura was silent for a few moments, gathering her thoughts. She glanced to her side and let out a breath. "I'm not so sure Commander. When its all you see for thirty-six days straight. When you have to make decisions to protect the people and you're not sure if you're right. Honestly, I don't know if I am cut out for this. I have to make people bait for the greater good. I'm not sure if I can do this."

Bill listened intently as the President, as Laura, released her fears about the mission Bill stood next to her and was very straight with her. "One of the first things you learn at the Academy as a command officer is that people die and you have to be willing to send people to their death. It sounds harsh I know but this is war and in war people die."

Laura solemnly nodded and then spoke "Tell me make these people cylon bait is the only way for this to work. Tell me they will be safe. Tell me all these doubts I'm feeling are normal."

Bill resisted the urge to take hold of her hand and squeeze it. He smiled and turned to face her. "It's the only way. I can't promise that they will be out of harms way but they will be reasonable safe."

Laura nodded, turned away and continued to stare out the window. "And the doubts, Commander?"

"They come with the job, Madame President. He gave her a smile supportive smile.

She stifled a laugh and smiled. "I know that much. Bait it is then." Laura said as she turned and left the observation deck

"Bait it is." Bill whispered still staring out at the stars as she left the deck.