Disclaimer: Battlestar Galactica belongs to Ronald D

Disclaimer: Battlestar Galactica belongs to Ronald D. Moore and the Sci-Fi channel.

Chapter 11: Caring

"Thanks, Kara," Adama said before hanging up. Only taking time to throw his uniform pants over his boxers and throw on his boots, tucking the laces in rather than tying them, he dashed out of the door, in the direction of the guest quarters, grabbing his set of master keys.

Roslin's security detail stood outside. They stepped aside to let the admiral knock. "Madame President." He knocked a second time, then a third. Seeing no easy alternative, he used a master key and let himself in.

The bed looked slept in, sheets curled in a pool, a blanket on the floor, but he did not see her. Then he noticed the bathroom light off to the right. He rushed over and found her in a nightgown, lying on the bathroom floor, curled up and holding her stomach. Cold fear gripped him as he kneeled down and checked her pulse. "Laura!" he called out.

Her only response was a moan. He scooped her up in his arms, ignoring the shocked looks of her security detail. "I'm taking her to Life Station. Would one of you please alert Dr. Cottle?" he requested. They nodded and he continued his trek.

Cottle was standing at the door when they arrived. "What in the gods' names happened this time?"

"I don't know. I found her like this," Adama explained.

"Follow me," Cottle said, motioning toward an empty bed.

Adama sat her on the bed and she blinked a few times. "Bill? What am I doing here?"

"I found you on the bathroom floor. What happened?" he questioned.

She closed her eyes for a moment, still feeling ill. "I was dreaming and in the dream I had stomach pains. I woke up suddenly, feeling sick. I threw up, but after that I felt dizzy. I remember being on the floor, hearing the dog howl. And then I was here."

"What was the last thing you ate?" Cottle probed, taking a blood sample.

"Noodles," she replied.

Adama cleared his throat. "Actually it was Ambrosia."

Cottle poked at the president's stomach to locate the pain. The admiral thought he heard the doctor mutter, "Gods, I'm surrounded by morons" before speaking to them. "One of the side affects of diloxin is loss of appetite, along with the nausea. I've already been on her case for not eating enough. Because of that, the stomach acids are already overactive. The alcohol in what she drank reacted a bit with everything else and basically the stomach acids are beginning to corrode the lining of the stomach," he paused and looked directly at Roslin. "I can give you something for it, but absolutely no more alcohol for you."

"Understood," she told him.

Cottle walked over to his supply cabinet to look for something to help the pain, as well as a nutritional mixture for an IV while Adama stayed with Roslin. He was standing to the right of her bed as he gently grasped her right hand in both of his. "Why didn't you tell me you felt sick?"

She looked over at him, seeing the worry in his eyes. "At dinner, I really didn't think it was that bad. I felt better after I ate, and then I went to bed. Sit, please. It's odd having you stand there like that."

He released her hand and obliged her, sitting on the edge of the bed so that he faced her. "I want you to tell me when you don't feel well."

She folded both of her hands in her lap. "Bill, my health is my prob-"

"No. You told me 'we're in this together.' That means everything," he argued, cupping her left cheek with his right hand.

His thumb brushed her cheek and she closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she found herself looking directly into his. "Okay." Then she perceived his appearance, uniform pants and his tanks, untied boots. "You look like you jumped out of bed to get me."

"I did," he stated, his hands covering hers.

"But how did you know?" she questioned.

He sighed. "Kara called me. Would you happen to know why she wanted me to check on you?"

Her eyes closed again as she pushed another wave of nausea down. "There was a dream. She wanted me to follow her, off a cliff into some kind of storm. I couldn't. I just froze."

As they had been talking, Cottle had watched them. Adama moved from standing next to the bed to sitting on it. Then he touched her face. The next thing Cottle noticed was the two of them holding hands. Something's changed, he mused, having assembled the necessary medication.

"Alright you two, I need to give my patient a few things," Cottle began. Adama quickly stood and the doctor turned to Roslin. "I've got an IV for you so we can get some nutrients into your system. And then I have something for your stomach problems, and something to help you sleep. You're going to stay here for the rest of the night for observation," he explained as gave her an injection of medication.

Once the IV was in place on her arm and she was settled, Cottle faced the admiral. "If you've got anything to say to her, make it quick. She'll be asleep soon, and she is not- I repeat not to be disturbed."

Adama nodded and walked back over to Roslin. "Go back to bed, Bill. I'll be alright."

He took one of her hands in his again as he sat down on the bed. "I'm already up. What's a few more hours anyway?"

"You're just making an excuse to keep sharing a bed with me," she teased.

He chuckled. "You keep making jokes like that, and I'll start thinking they're offers."

She yawned and closed her eyes. "Very funny, mister. Too bad I couldn't catch up to you at the pond. Swimming would've been fun."

"This has something to do with your dream, doesn't it?" he asked. But the medicine was already taking affect as her breathing evened out.

As he stood to let her sleep, he met the questioning gaze of the doctor. "Is there anything I should know?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Adama responded.

Cottle would have questioned him further, but Kara soon staggered into Life Station with Lee's right arm draped over her shoulders. His face was bleeding and he would soon have two black eyes. He still wore his boxing gloves while Kara's were draped over her other shoulder. Adama stood and he stalked over to them along with Cottle.

"What is it with you people tonight?" the doctor complained.

"I swear I found him like this," Kara said quickly.

"Let's get you cleaned up and assess the damages," Cottle remarked, leading Lee over to one of the beds.

Kara looked up at Adama. "I couldn't sleep after calling you, so I went to the gym. I found him there, getting his butt kicked by three guys who weren't too happy with him for Baltar's trial."

Adama's gaze had not strayed from his son. "I was afraid something like this might happen. When you defend the wrong side, you make enemies, not friends."

"Yep. How's the president?" Kara inquired, drawing Adama's attention back to her.

"She'll be alright," he responded. Then he realized something. "Why did you call me?"

The blonde woman began to pace. "I had this dream. I was asking her to come with me. She said she couldn't, and then she collapsed, clutching her stomach."

"Do you know what the dream means?" he asked.

She shook her head. "The only thing I'm sure of is that I'm the second guide and I'm supposed to lead you all to Earth."

Adama looked over as Cottle checked Lee's ribs. "How did you know what coordinates to give us when you came back?"

"It's some sort of instinct. I don't have anything scientific to back it, but I just know," she relayed.

"Do you have any more coordinates?" he inquired.

She nodded. "I get them as we move closer. I have a gut feeling that I'll have another set sometime in the next day." She looked over her shoulder at the sleeping form of the president, and then back to him. "Sir, since we're going to be here a while, why don't I call the mess for some coffee?"

"That sounds good," he replied.

As she headed toward the phone, Cottle approached him. "You can see him if you want. He's lucky, scrapes and bruises mostly, and a few cracked ribs. Nothing too serious."

Adama nodded and walked toward his son. Lee had an icepack over his eyes to reduce the swelling and his chest was wrapped. "Do I want to know what this is about?" Adama inquired.

Recognizing his father's voice immediately, Lee grimaced, which did not help the pain his face was already feeling. "Let's just say it, I frakked up again. I couldn't sleep, just wanted to get out some energy in the ring. Then three, maybe it was four guys came out of nowhere. Must've been there already. They didn't like where I stood at the trial and decided to tell me about it with their fists."

"I'm sorry," Adama responded.

"Starbuck found me and now I'm here. She told the other guys, 'Frak off and mind your own business before I come back and kick all of your asses,'" Lee added.

Adama smirked. "I'll bet she did. Zarek wants to offer you a position as his assistant.

Lee snorted, but then winced at the pain. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah. I know you're not happy in the military and you've been looking for a change," his father remarked.

"You really think I should take it?" the younger Adama asked.

"It's up to you," Adama replied.

Both were silent for a moment. Adama was about to walk away when Lee spoke again. "Dad, what are you doing here? Did Starbuck call you after she brought me in?"

"Actually I was already here," Adama answered.

Lee's mouth pursed in concern. "Are you… I mean what are you-"

"The president isn't feeling well," the elder Adama commented. "I'm going to let you rest."

"That's fine," Lee responded. Adama took a few steps away. "And Dad," Lee added.

His father stopped again. "Yeah?"

"Thanks."

A small smile slanted over Adama's mouth. "You're welcome."

As he left Lee to sleep, he watched as Kara greeted a man at the door who held a coffee pot. Adama went to find a few paper cups that Cottle still had sitting around. Soon he and Kara sat in two chairs, each with a cup of coffee in their hands. "I spoke with Lee. He was ambushed."

"Did he want you to call Dualla?" Kara inquired.

Adama took a drink of his coffee. "No, and I wouldn't expect him to."

Kara followed suit and stared down at the cup for a moment. "Lee wouldn't tell me anything. Why isn't Dualla around?"

The admiral looked out in front of him, focusing on nothing in particular. "They got a divorce."

"Oh."

"Have you spoken to Anders yet?" Adama questioned.

Kara shook her head. "I'm not sure what to say to him. He probably doesn't know I'm alive yet. It's been hard enough telling you that I thought I was only gone for a couple of hours."

Adama weighed his next question carefully. Then he turned to face her. "Where do you stand with my son?"

She licked her lips, trying to formulate a response. Slowly she looked him in the eyes. "I'm not sure at the moment, sir, but I care very much about him. I don't want to see him hurt. And then here I go, continuing to complicate things. I never meant to cause-"

"It's alright, I get the picture. From what I see, you're the one keeping him out of trouble. You might've put more strain on his relationship with Dee, but the truth is that there was already a problem. You were just another straw, not the cause," Adama told her.

Staring down into her cup again, she remarked, "That doesn't make it any easier to accept," she stated. "I'm still a frak-up."

He put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're not a frak-up, and for the record I'm glad to have you back."

A bright smile creased her face as she looked up at him. "Thanks, sir."

After finishing his coffee, he glanced at his watch, 0600. "You'd better hurry and get some breakfast if you want to make your shift in CIC."

"Yes, sir," she responded, standing and heading for the door.

"Starbuck," he called after her. He continued when she turned back. "What do you hear?"

"Nothing but the rain, sir," she answered.

"Then grab your gun and bring in the cat," he told her. She saluted him and headed on her way.

He walked back toward Roslin's bed. "Laura?" he called softly.

She stirred, hearing him. "Bill?"

"I need to get ready for my shift. Would you like me to call Tory and make sure she brings you a fresh change of clothes?" he offered.

Roslin moved to sit up, blinking as she brushed off the last bits of sleep. Then she met his gaze and smiled at him. As he looked into her eyes, he felt forgiven for the first time since Baltar's trial. "Yes, thank you. Have you been here since you brought me in?"

"Yes. Lee had an incident at the gym and Kara brought him in. Then she and I talked for a while," he explained.

"I'm thinking of having a chat between Kara, and Anders later. There are some things that should be resolved," Roslin remarked.

Adama nodded and then leaned down to her. They shared a tender kiss and then he walked toward the door. Cottle stopped him though before he could leave. "I need to know something."

The admiral had a suspicion where the conversation would go, but answered, "What would that be?"

"It was lucky you got to her as fast as you did. Was she staying in your quarters?" the doctor probed.

"No," Adama answered plainly.

"I'm not trying to pry, but I can see you two are close. I'm bringing this up because if she were to stay with you, I know you'd keep an eye on her to make sure she takes care of herself. She specifically requested that I don't discuss her condition with you, and I'm not. I'm only suggesting that you keep her as close as possible to watch her," Cottle explained.

Adama eye him curiously. "Don't tell me you're playing cupid now."

Cottle rolled his eyes. "I never said anything about you being in the bed with her. I only told you to watch her."

The admiral snorted and then left, heading to his quarters to first call Tory, who had been on Colonial One, then to shower and change for work. He arrived at CIC on time, greeting Kara and Tigh with a nod.

While Adama began his day, Cottle disconnected Roslin from the IV as Tory arrived in Life Station. "Madame President, what happened?" the aide asked, her voice edged with worry.

Roslin put a hand up. "I'm fine, I just need to watch what I eat and when I eat. Do you have my clothes?"

"Right here, ma'am," Tory stated, handing her a brown paper bag.

She headed back toward the guest quarters to shower and change. Once she had prepared herself for the day, Tory discussed her schedule. "You have a meeting with the Quorum, as well as the Board of Nutrition, followed by a conference with the Virgonese delegates over suggestions they have for the new education programs."

I should have her pencil in a nap. "In that case, once I've finished with the Virgonese delegates, I want to inform Mr. Anders that his wife is alive. I would like her present, as well as yourself," Roslin commented.

"Yes, ma'am," Tory said quietly.

During her meeting with the Board of Nutrition, she was informed that the ships would jump to a new set of coordinates. After the jump, she called CIC, requesting that Kara should come to the admiral's quarters later to speak with Anders. Kara arrived first, giving the president a pleasant smile as the older woman sat at the admiral's desk.

"How are you feeling, ma'am?" Kara inquired.

"Fairly good, thank you," Roslin responded. "Was today's jump your idea?"

Kara nodded. "I was able to give the admiral another set of coordinates. We're one jump closer to Earth."

"That's good news. Have a seat until the others come," Roslin responded.

A few minutes later, Anders and Tory walked into the room. "You wanted to see me, Madame President?" Anders asked, his gaze only on Roslin.

"Yes. It seems that you were not informed of someone's return," she began, gesturing to Kara.

Anders' eyes widened. "Holy frak! Kara, we thought you died! What happened?" he questioned, dashing over to her and attempting to draw her into an embrace. She let him, but then stood and stepped away from him.

Tory had stepped out in the hall, feeling like the proverbial 'third wheel.' Kara faced Anders, smiling cordially. "I found Earth."

"That's great! When we get there, I swear Kara, things will be different," he exclaimed.

Kara raised an eyebrow. "Are you telling me that you still want there to be an 'us?'"

"Yeah, but things will be better," he mentioned.

She shook her head. "I can't do this anymore, Sam. It's hurting you and I can't be what you want me to be. I have things I need to do, and it'll cause us problems again."

He reached out and gently grasped her upper arm. "I don't care. Stop pushing me away."

Roslin considered stepping in, but then Kara shook herself free of him and took another step back. "Sam, listen to me. You and me, it needs to be over. I'm too much trouble and you don't need it."

"Stop telling me what I need. All of us are in trouble up to our ears. It doesn't matter anymore," he shot back.

Kara crossed her arms, turning to look at Adama's bookcase. "It wasn't right from the start. I only married you because I was running away from my problems, like I always do."

Anders stepped in front of her so that she would look at him. Tory decided to come back inside in that moment. "Isn't divorcing me running away again?"

"No, Sam. I'm facing my problems head-on. I'm sorry, but we're over. It's for the best," Kara remarked.

He said nothing, but stormed out of the room, Tory running after him to keep up. Kara sank into the couch and the president moved from the desk chair to sit next to her. Roslin reached out and gently touched Kara's forearm. "Sometimes doing what's right hurts. It doesn't get any easier with age either. But as you get older, you prioritize differently. What used to matter when you were young doesn't matter as much anymore."

Kara sighed heavily, looking back at the older woman. "And what are your priorities, Madame Pres.?"

Roslin leaned back and crossed her knees. "To lead humanity to Earth, to protect those same people whatever their personal opinions may be-"

"And to keep an eye on the Old Man?" Kara asked with a smirk.

Roslin blushed. "Yes."

"You love him, don't you?" Kara inquired.

Just like Bill, you don't pull your punches. As personal as the question was, what Roslin had just witnessed of Kara's life made the entire tone of the conversation personal. "Very much."

After the younger woman left, Roslin pulled out one of her folders to remember where she had placed the binary doodle. After confirming its location, she stood and headed in the direction of the brig to find the only two people who might be able to tell her what it meant.

(My thanks to Calico Star, caramelapples, Tchitchina, carolann, max72, Leliana McKay, and Reagan for reviewing :D)