LOCATION: ALPHA SPACE STATION; approximately 200 miles above the surface of planet Earth
CORRIDOR B
MILITARY QUARTERS
CABIN 119B: ASSIGNMENT; TIGH
YEAR: 2315
"Dammit, Blaze, how are you losing to him?" Katya teased her friend. "He's never even been in a cockpit!"
"It's not fair, Cap," Blaze complained in defense. "This game is nothing like the real thing."
"Is this real enough for ya?" Alexi snarked as he showered Blazer's animated Falcon with ammo on the Tigh's image screen.
"Ouch!" Katya shouted as she watched the display on the wall in front of her.
"I'm out!" Blazer yelled as he turned the projection off of with his controller and tossed it to the side.
Alexi just chuckled softly to himself and reset the game.
"Wow, Blazer, I'd tell people how horrible you are at this, but you're on my squadron so I'm too embarrassed," Katya mocked as she took a drag from the long stick of a vaporizer before passing it to the other pilot.
"That game is bull," Blazer insisted between puffs. "Totally unrealistic."
"Don't be such a sore loser, Blaze," Alexi said as he put his feet up on the coffee table. "Just say it; I got my flyboy ass beat three times in a row by a boot stomping marine," He gloated grabbing the smoking device from Blaze and placing it between his grinning teeth.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Came Ellen's warning voice. "What have I told you kids about using these things!?" She said as she appeared behind the sofa.
She took the vaporizer right out of Alexi's mouth and placed it between her own lips.
"Uh, let's see," Katya mocked "I think your usual words are 'they're mine so don't touch 'em'?"
"That's right," Ellen said with a smirk as she exhaled. "Now c'mon, turn that game off and get ready. You don't even have you're tunics on," She complained as she put the vapor device away in an end table drawer.
Their guests would be arriving soon and Ellen hadn't had as much time to get ready as she thought she would.
"What's with you?" Katya frowned as she watched her busily milling around the cabin straightening things that were already in order. "You're acting so weird and high strung."
Ellen shook her head and laughed to herself.
"Katya, you don't know the day I've had," She snarked.
"Why weren't you here when Lex and Blaze came to move the furniture?" The younger woman probed.
Ellen finally stopped fussing with the table setting she was rearranging and looked at Katya.
"I told you something came up. I said I was sorry. Just put your tunic on, Katya," She warned again. "Boys, there are still some chairs in the closet. Would you get them for me? Oh and someone please move that ottoman into Katya's old room. We need all the frakking foot space we can get."
Blazer immediatly stood up from his seat on the sofa.
"Abso-frakking-lutly, Elle. I'd love to get the frakking chairs," Blazer teased as Alexi followed him chuckling softly and shaking his head.
"Watch it, Blaze," Ellen said in a warning but unserious tone.
"Can I really not say it at all tonight?" He joked as he opened the closet door and passed a chair to Alexi.
"No!" Katya shouted from where she was still planted on the sofa.
"C'mon. Everyone else is gunna be saying it," Blaze egged on. "I want to be part of the crowd," He continued to jest as he brought a chair that he'd retrieved to the table.
"Fine. Say it," Katya dared him. "I want to see Kaplan's reaction."
"You say it frakkin' once tonight, Lieutenant and I'll frakkin' punch your frakkin' lights out," Came Saul's threatening growl as he emerged from the bedroom.
He'd been in there since he'd returned home for the day. Ellen was sure that something happened on Delta. She just hadn't been able to get it out of him yet, not that she'd volunteered any information about her own brush with disaster in Med Ward.
After Tawny's admission of her major screw up with Laura's chart Ellen's first reaction had been to lash out at the frightened young doctor. She'd been livid.
How could Tawny have been so stupid? There were at least three other procedures listed within the records that Laura could have seen to inspire just as much suspicion. Tawny apologized profusely and assured Ellen that she had covered the mistake well enough. Ellen hadn't believed her until she'd finally seen Laura for herself. Ellen had been braced for a full on confrontation but Laura made no mention of the strange occurrence. She was tired and a little out of it from pain medication. Figuring that Tawny had been right about her damage control after all Ellen let herself relax and took Laura back to her cabin to rest for the remainder of the afternoon. She hadn't heard anything from her since.
"Yes, Sir, Colonel Sir," Blazer curtly answered with a salute.
"I mean it, Blazer. I invited you here to be a representative of this station and to make sure these people feel welcome. I don't need you mocking them or causing me anymore grief than I've already got, you hear me?"
"Yes, Sir. That was not my intention, Sir. I'll do my best tonight to make them feel at home," Blaze honestly assured him.
"That's more like it," Saul answered before directing his attentions toward the sofa. "Katya, put your damn tunic on."
The two hadn't spoken since the night before. When Saul had returned home from Delta Station he'd ignored everyone and retreated to his room. Katya wasn't surprised that his first words to her were barked orders. She didn't answer him. She got up without verbal protest and headed for her old room where she'd hung up the rest of her uniform earlier.
A knock at the hatch made everyone freeze in position. They had all underestimated the collective strain that keeping Roslin and Adama in the dark was putting on their nerves.
"Oh, uh, it's probably just the food service," Ellen guessed. "Alexi, would you get it?" She asked trying to shake herself free of the tension.
"Ellen, can I see you in the bedroom?" Saul's request came out as more of an instruction but she followed him anyway.
Once the door was closed Ellen took a seat on their rack.
"What's up Saul? Tell me. I know something happened today. You've hardly spoken since you got back. You're as sharp as a razor," She accused.
"Yeah, and I've got good reason," He said pacing in front of her.
"What's wrong?"
Saul stopped in his tracks and faced his wife.
"Bill saw Margot in the lab," He finally admitted.
Ellen felt her stomach turn over.
"So, what happened?" She winced, unsure if she wanted to hear the answer.
"Well, he flipped but good. I'll tell you that much," He growled.
"Shhh, Saul, the kids will hear you," Ellen warned as she stood up and grabbed his arm. "So what did you tell him? Does he know?"
"No, no. And, Ellen, I didn't lie to him but I came damn close and I don't like it," He said pointing a finger in his wife's direction.
Ellen was able to relax a bit. How Saul had gotten around the incident she didn't know but she was glad.
"We should have warned her that you were coming. That was careless," She admitted.
"Bill thought she was a copy. He thought we were hiding more bodies from them," Saul told her taking the place that she had abandoned on their rack. "We should have thought of that. The girl looks so damn much like D'Anna."
"Saul..." Ellen started as she looked down toward the floor, "Today in Med Ward...Tawny Xao let Laura see her lab charts."
Ellen glanced up to see Saul's face in a state of shock. His mouth made the 'o' it always did when he was caught off guard and the amount of expression captured in his one eye made up for the other he was missing.
"What do you mean; she let her see her charts? What did she see exactly?" Saul asked in disbelief. He had always known Tawny to be exceptionally loyal. It was hard to believe that she would have intentionally done something like that without warning.
"It was an accident I guess," Ellen shrugged. "She was trying to show her something else and she wasn't thinking...and well anyway, Laura noticed something on her chart that indicated that she'd delivered a baby."
"What?!" Saul shouted as he jumped up from the rack.
"Shhh!" Ellen warned again. "Tawny was able to cover. She said that she was able to convince Laura that it was an error. She told her that she just accidentally swiped at something that she shouldn't have and mistakenly changed the record. I don't know. I wasn't in there, but apparently Laura bought it. At least I think she did. Tawny swore that she didn't even ask a second question. Laura didn't even mention it to me on the way back to her cabin. I think Tawny had her hopped up on painkillers." Saul scowled.
"What the frak is wrong with her anyway?"
"Oh, you don't want to know," Ellen said waving him off.
"I don't like this Ellen. It's already gone too far. Too much has gone wrong too quickly."
Ellen nodded and looked toward the floor again.
"I know, Saul," She said quietly.
He walked closer to her and took her hands in his.
"Ellen, I know how you feel about this but it ends tonight. After dinner I'm taking Bill out and I'm coming clean."
Ellen nodded but she wouldn't look up at him. Saul knew that if she did he'd see that there were tears in her eyes. He put his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.
"It's gotta be this way. It's the right thing," He spoke into her hair.
"I know," She sighed as she let him go and wiped at her eyes with the back of her hands.
With a few sniffles she composed herself and Saul followed her out of the room.
They found Katya sitting on the sofa finally in full uniform. She had left her hair down but Ellen liked it that way. As she looked over at the young woman she'd raised she thought that she couldn't possibly be any prouder. Ellen walked up behind the sofa and ran her hand through the girl's long dark hair. When Katya turned to smile up at her Ellen leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"What was that for?"
"Nothing," Ellen said with a sad smile. "Just 'cause I love you, kitten" She added.
"Oh," Katya smiled back. "I love you too."
"Ellen?" Alexi interrupted. "The food's here. I put it on the warmers in the kitchen."
"Thank you, Alexi, honey. You've been so helpful today," She told him.
"Yes, ma'am. Oh and Blazer ate something off the dessert tray and tried to get us to lie for him," He added.
"Alexi, what the hell, man!? Blaze griped from the kitchenette. "Are you nine years old? Did you just rat on me?"
"Get away from the food rocket jockey!" Saul warned.
"Blaze, sweetie it's okay," Ellen assured him with a giggle.
"Oh, I almost forgot, Ellen, this came with the delivery," Alexi added, holding out a bottle of wine. "They said it was compliments of Tawny Xao."
Ellen laughed as she took the bottle from him.
"Ha! That's the least of what that girl owes me," Ellen scoffed.
Confused Alexi looked toward his wife for some kind of explanation but she just shrugged.
"So does that mean we can drink now?" Katya asked.
"You bet it does, kitten," Ellen answered over her shoulder.
"No one's even here yet," Saul weakly protested.
"Oh, so what?" Ellen scoffed. "When has that ever stopped us? One drink with just us," She said looking over at her husband. "We'll toast to family."
Not long after that the Tigh's guests had arrived. The commander came first which they were thankful for. It gave everyone a chance to get on the same page about what information had been divulged to Bill and Laura so far. Kaplan wasn't about to give Katya or the Tighs any direct orders on how to deal with the more personal aspects of the situation,!but he made his feelings clear; the subjects of the project, at least on his station were to be treated with respect. That meant not lying to them or leaving them in the dark for any longer than necessary. Though both Saul and Ellen knew the truth would be out by the end of the night neither let the others know of the plan. Saul hoped the dinner would be an opportunity to make peace and work on second impressions. He didnt want to cast a shaddow over the evening so he kept his intentions of telling Bill the truth later on to himself.
By the time Bill and Laura arrived everyone was at least a few rounds in and Saul was starting to worry about the liquid courage Katya was pounding back. He'd taught the girl to hold her liquor but he couldn't ever be sure what might come out of her mouth when she was doing so. Short of just preemptively dismissing her he had no choice but to get half way loaded himself and hope for the best.
They sat around the dinner table which was set up on an angle in the cabin's living space. Saul was at the head of the table with Ellen to his right and Laura to his left. As a precautionary move Katya and Alexi were seated all the way on the other end. Saul figured that it would be best to put the Commander and Blaze in the middle. Kaplan took the lead, beginning most of the conversation with the LT's help. Saul figured he had done well inviting Blazer to join them. The kid could be goofy but he had a certain charm and he never shut up. With him around there was no time for awkward silence.
"Bill, Laura? Can I refresh your drinks?" Ellen asked standing up to refill her own glass.
After a quick trip to the cooler she brought back the bottle that Tawny had sent over and popped the cork.
"Laura, Dr. Tawny sent this over for us tonight. Guess she wanted us to have a better evening than we did a day," Ellen laughed.
Laura's eyes widened at Ellen's reference.
"Are you feeling alight, Ms. Roslin," Kaplan asked in a concerned tone.
Laura shot Ellen a glare which she ignored as she poured.
"I'm fine, Commander. Just a check up," She assured him hoping he would drop it.
She couldn't believe that she was even sitting there. She was miserable. The implant procedure had only cause her pain to worsen. The pills she'd been given had her in a fog and only provided her mild relief. She wanted nothing more thant return to her rack and curl up into a ball.
"Well you look just lovely, Ms. Roslin" Blazer said noticing her hesitance and doing his best smooth out the situation.
Blazer could sense the slightest unease in others and he was excellent at making sure anyone he interacted with felt accepted and comfortable.
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Laura said with a sight but grateful smile.
"Viy'eb'nutsa," Katya said motioning toward Blazer.
The strange verbiage got a snort out of her husband but left everyone in the dark.
Laura didn't know what the hell the girl had just said, but she could tell by her mocking tone that it wasn't complimentary. She ignored it when it seemed as though everyone else had. When Ellen reached to fill her wine glass Laura stopped her.
"Ellen, I don't know how much I should be drinking."
"Oh c'mon, Laura, you need it. Besides, it will give whatever Tawny gave you a little kick," She smirked.
With that in mind Laura put her glass right out for Ellen to reach.
"Fill it up, maybe she's more pleasant when she's drunk," Katya mumbled into her glass.
She'd said it to herself but loud enough so that she knew Laura would hear. She didn't bother to look for the woman's reaction and she purposefully ignored the warning glare that Saul was giving her from across the table. Only Kaplan and Adama separated her from her target. If either of them had heard her they'd chosen to ignore it.
Laura rolled her eyes and took a big sip of wine. She wasn't about to start anything at the dinner table. Certainly not with someone barely out of their teens.
"You know that's the wine Dr. Xao named Tawny after," Katya said to no one in particular trying her best to quickly take the focus off of her rude remark.
Ellen turned the bottle around to read it. She had to move it back and forth a bit before she could focus since she'd finished almost half of it before her guests had even arrived.
"Oh yeah. 'Old Beta Tawny Port'," She read out loud. "That's cute," She added topping her glass off.
"Huh," Bill started, "I wouldn't have pegged that little guy for a…"
"Wino?" Blazer finished, getting laughs from Katya and Alexi.
"Well, I wasn't going to say exactly that," Bill answered, "But to name his daughter after a bottle of wine..."
"Wait til' you see him drunk on that E-Rep rice wine crap he loves," Blazer laughed, looking over at his two friends, "Remember his birthday party last year?" He asked the table getting even more laughs.
The old doctor was strict and professional in the clinic but he did have a slight reputation for hitting the bottle pretty hard on special occasions. He was always good for a scene or two. There was nothing too obscene about his antics. The impression it made on the rest of the crew was largely due to the obvious contrast from the man's stoic demeanor in Med Ward. When he let loose Tawny was always embarrassed but her friends and colleagues were always entertained.
"How could we forget?" Kaplan admitted and cleared his throat. "But, I assure you Ms. Roslin, Admiral Adama, Ning Xao is very professional; a dedicated serviceman and superb doctor. He'd never drink on the job," The commander assured, rushing to defend his major.
"I'm sure he wouldn't," Laura smiled. "On the other hand, our doctor on Galactica used to puff on cigarettes right in our faces," She remembered with a brief giggle.
"He sure did," Saul confirmed. "Grumpy old bastard. Burned a frakkin' hole in my uniform once trying to take my damn blood pressure!" He said getting the entire table to laugh with the image.
"Oh, I remember," Ellen said with a sigh. "I miss the old coot. Xao is nothing like that, though. The commander is right."
"Think he'll be at Slip-Shot's pinning party tonight?" Alexi asked.
"Hell, I hope so!" Blazer answered. "You coming later, Commander?"
"Of course, I'll be there. Now you've got me hoping Xao does bust out the rice wine," The man chuckled.
"And he's not a wino, Blazer," Katya added,"As Margot would say; he's a connoisseur." She said doing her best to mimic the Le Blanc's traditional tongue.
"Whatever he is, he's hilarious," Blaze said with a snort.
At the mention of Margot Saul's eyes darted to Bill. Did the man ever forget a name? Saul saw him stiffen in his seat. He knew Bill could tell that he was looking at him but the other man just avoided his gaze. Laura seemed to notice his unease as well.
"What's wrong?" She whispered discreetly beside him.
"Nothing," He lied. "Actually Ellen, do you have anything stronger than that?" He asked motioning to the wine bottle.
Before she could answer Saul interjected. They would all need something stronger if the night was headed in the direction he planned.
"Sure do, Bill. Katya took care of that for us. Isn't that right, Kat?
Katya sipped at her drink and nodded. Besides a random hug her uncle had given her after their little family toast the two still hadn't interacted much since their fight the night before.
"Yes, Sir," She curtly answered without explanation.
When Saul grimaced at her obvious attitude Alexi jumped in.
"Katya has family on Gamma Station. They distill this there from starch like potatoes," Alexi explained as he passed Saul the bottle of clear liquid. "Katya's cousin, well, her father's nephew…" He found himself stumbling, "Miloš, he brings us some every few weeks when he comes to Alpha Station."
"Good man," Saul said as he poured Bill a glass. "Well actually he's not. That kid is actually a punk, but as long as he brings this with him I don't mind his visits," He said with a chuckle.
Bill lifted the glass to take a whiff as Kaplan took the bottle from the Colonel. He began to pour some for himself as he spoke.
"Historically, it originated on the surface of Earth in the area of the Eastern Federation, where Katya and Alexi's families came from years ago," The commander told Bill. "If you're getting it from an Isakoff, you know you're getting the good stuff," The man said winking at Katya beside him.
"I'll drink to that," She said clinking the man's glass and taking a gulp.
"Drink up, Bill," Saul encouraged. "It's no ambrosia but it gets the job done," He joked.
"What do you call this stuff?" Bill said looking at the glass.
"Vodka," Blazer mocked, mimicking the way Katya and Alexi pronounced it.
"Well, then cheers to vodka," Adama said taking a swig. He winced just a bit as it stung at his throat. "That's some powerful stuff you're family makes, Captain," He said raising his glass toward Katya.
She smiled primly and nodded.
"Laura, you want to try?" He asked offering her his glass. "It has a bite to it," He warned as she took it from him.
"I'm sure she'll just bite it back," Katya smirked as she poked at her meal with her fork.
Laura just rolled her eyes again and took a bigger gulp of the liquid than she'd first intended. If she was going to get through dinner she needed all the help she could get. Bill's eyes widened at the amount of vodka she shot back. Was she really letting the girl get to her?
"Katya," Ellen seemed to warn, "I want you eat what's on your plate. Don't just move it around," She said surprising the girl who figured that she was about to be admonished for her comment.
"I am eating," She lied.
"You better be," Alexi chimed in.
"Oh she will," Kaplan assured as he looked over at Katya. "She's keeping her strength up for when she gets back in the cockpit next week. Aren't you, Captain?" He said winking at her.
"Yes, Sir," Katya appeased as she pierced some vegetables with her fork and popped them in her mouth.
"Notoriously bad appetite," Saul explained.
Bill nodded with a small smile.
"Well, we don't want you fainting on us again, Captain," He told the girl as she forced herself to chew.
"I'll try not to, Sir," She said, suddenly slightly embarrassed.
Every time Katya thought of her mortifying face-plant in front of Bill and Laura she could feel her cheeks turn red. She hoped the color that the vodka had probably already given her complexion would hide it.
"Speaking of that, Captain," The commander continued. "You know Tawny is going to have to okay you to get back in the air," He informed her.
"But I'm fine," She assured him.
"I'm sure you are, but since there is a record of it I need her to tell me it's okay before I let you get back in a bird. Got it?"
"Yes, Sir." She said again as her shoulders fell.
"If you don't mind me asking, what's you call-sign, Captain?" Bill asked.
Katya didn't know why the question caught her off guard. Maybe it was the fact that she'd dreamed about talking shop with Bill Adama all of her life and now that it was happening she was half drunk. When she didn't answer right away Blazer jumped in.
"It's Koshka," The lieutenant answered with a bright smile.
"What's it mean?" Laura asked, emboldened by her sip of liquor.
"It's E-fed for cat, ma'am," Alexi answered.
"Hmm, fitting," Laura snarked with an arched brow before taking a sip from her drink.
Katya had to laugh at the remark. She was impressed that woman had started to fire back.
"Meow," Katya said back mimicking a claw in the air.
Saul lightly hit the table with his fist trying to get Katya's attention but she avoided him. Ellen just laughed into her glass.
Bill cleared his throat.
"Any significance to it?" He asked trying to break up the interaction.
He wasnt happy with the girl's rudeness toward Laura but afer the conversation he and Saul had earlier in the day he better understood her anger. He hoped that persistant amicable interactions would eventually quell her ire. She was Saul and Ellen's daughter and that meant Bill wanted to give her a chance. He wanted to know the girl his old friends obviously loved so much.
"Koshka was a pet name from her father," Saul explained. "And then Ellen..."
"She's always been my kitten," Ellen interrupted with an air kiss down the table to Katya who blushed and rolled her eyes.
"Just sort of stuck," Saul finished.
"Plus, the captain here is one of the most graceful pilot's I've ever known," The Commander added. "She flies swift, smooth and agile like... well…like a cat," He decided with a smile.
"I'd like to watch you fly one day, Captain," Bill said to her directly. "You too L.T." He added toward Blaze.
Katya nodded wishing that she wasn't the topic of conversation.
"Well, once I'm cleared maybe Uncle Saul will take you to the observation deck," She suggested.
By the time Ellen had put coffee and dessert out Laura was more than ready to leave. She was exhausted and sick of fending off Katya's frequent quips in her direction. Done with her cup of coffee she put her hand on Bill's thigh and gave it a light squeeze hoping he'd get the hint that she wanted to go. He looked over at her and could see the weariness and discomfort in her eyes.
"This was a lovely dinner, Ellen," Kaplan spoke as he put his napkin over his dessert plate. "I thank you for the invitation."
"Any time, Commander," Ellen said sweetly.
"And it was wonderful to spend more time getting to know you, Admiral Adama, Ms. Roslin," He said earnestly.
"Laura," She insisted, trying her best to smile at the kind man through her pain and fatigue.
"Yeah everything was great, Ellen, Colonel," Alexi said looking at his cuff, "But we really should be heading to the rec-room for Slip-Shot's party," He announced before backing his seat out.
"You kids go ahead," Ellen told them, "And have a good time."
Blazer and Katya both moved to follow Alexi's lead.
"Thank you for everything, Elle," Blazer said as he stood beside Ellen's seat and rested a hand on her shoulder. "As always you are a most gracious and beautiful hostess," He lathered on.
"Thank you, Blaze," She said giggling at his flighty words.
"Alright, out with you," Saul said pushing Blazers hand off of Ellen's shoulder.
Blazer laughed as always. Despite Ellen's maternal role in his life he often playfully flirted with her just to get under Saul's skin. She was happy to play along with the harmless joke. She knew that Saul loved both Blazer and Alexi, but sometimes it seemed like the only way he could show it was to scold the boys at every chance he got.
"You coming out tonight, Colonel?" Blazer asked.
"I don't know yet. Maybe. Now go on," Saul instructed.
Katya walked over behind Ellen's chair and leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek the same way Ellen had to her earlier. She'd wanted to return the gesture ever since and there was a certain satisfaction in doing so in front of Laura Roslin. The other woman might not know why but Katya still wanted her to understand on some level that Ellen Tigh was all the mother she needed.
"You sure you don't want me to stay and help you clean all this up, Aunt Elle?" Katya asked.
"No, kitten. I've got this. You go have fun." She assured her.
Katya nodded and turned to Saul. The two stared each other down for a few long moments until Katya broke. She smirked and shook her head as she leaned down to give him a kiss on the top of his bald head before she walked away. He wanted to be angry at her, and he was, but she always knew how to get to him to melt into a puddle. Suddenly Saul realized that the next time he saw her it would be to tell her that Bill knew.
"You have fun," He called after her. "Don't over do it. Be safe," He added as an old habit.
"I'm right behind you," Kaplan said as he stood from his seat. "I'm supposed to make the toast tonight," He explained.
With a few more goodbyes and thank yous Saul and Ellen were left alone with Bill and Laura.
"We should probably get going too," Bill said moving his seat back.
"Actually, Bill," Saul stopped him.
Ellen felt her heart drop. She knew what he was about to ask him and she was dreading it.
"Would you mind taking a walk with me? Just for a bit? I'm sure your security detail will get Laura home just fine."
Bill stopped for a moment and considered it. He had a feeling that Saul wanted to talk about what happened in the lab earlier. After hearing Margot's name again from Katya Bill was more than curious about what Saul had to say. From the way they spoke of her it seemed as though the family was close to the girl who looked like D'Anna's double. It was strange to say the least. Bill looked to Laura. He knew that she was overtired and would probably pass out soon after they got to their quarters. It wasnt as if they would stay up conversing. Still, he knew that she wasn't feeling well and he thought that maybe it would be better if he went home with her.
"It's okay, Bill," She said knowing he'd only refuse to go on her account. "Just go. I'll be fine. I'm going right to bed," She assured him.
"Are you sure?"
She did her best to smile and nod.
"I'll walk her back to the cabin, Bill," Ellen offered.
"You don't have to do that," Laura protested.
"Nonsense," Ellen said with a grin and a squint. Besides, it'll allow me to put off clearing the dishes," She joked as she rose from her seat.
The four left the cabin and parted ways.
LOCATION: ALPHA SPACE STATION; approximately 200 miles above the surface of planet Earth
CORRIDOR B
MILITARY QUARTERS
The two women were mostly silent as they walked a few paces in front of their security detail. Laura wished that she had denied Ellen's offer to accompany her but in the end she'd figured giving in would just be easier. After the day she had, after that dinner, all Laura wanted to do was take two of whatever Tawny had prescribed and then crawl into her rack. She regretted letting Bill convince her to go to the Tigh's at all. Though she knew that she couldn't live her new life as a recluse the idea was tempting. There wasn't anything for her outside of her cabin except more frustration. The only thing she was looking forward to was waking up and having Bill next to her. She would miss him as she fell to sleep but she wouldn't begrudge him a good time with an old friend. At least Bill had that; some other connection to where they were besides just being called on to help. Laura had nothing. She felt so empty and out of place. Bill was right; they were there together, but it just wasnt enough to erradicate her unhappiness. She knew that they had been together before in whatever existnace they had been taken from. Though she didnt remember it she wished so badly that they could return. The more time passed the more she felt herself wanting to withdraw from her new life. Besides Bill there was nothing to motivate her to try and make her life more than a summons to duty.
"I just wanted to see if you were really feeling any better," Ellen said as they walked." I know we really couldn't speak freely at dinner. I wanted to make sure that you were okay and that you have everything you need."
Laura kept her eyes in front of her as they walked the halls.
"Oh I don't know, Ellen, I think some of us were speaking rather freely in there," Laura said with a wry smirk.
Ellen didn't respond to Laura's remark but she was too tipsy not to let a soft chuckle escape her lips. Katya had been in rare form.
"But, yes, I'm feeling better, Ellen," She lied. "I'm just very tired. Thanks for asking. And thank you for helping me today. I didn't know who else to go to," She admitted.
"Well, woman to woman, I'm happy to be your only choice," Ellen mused.
After a few twisting halls, walls and doors that all seemed to blur together the two had arrived at the hatch.
"Thanks for the company, Ellen," Laura said as she ran her station cuff in front of the hatch lock.
Her thanks sounded more like a dismissal but she was long passed the point of caring. As the locks clicked and she moved to open the door Ellen stopped her.
"Laura?"
Ellen wasn't sure what she was going to say, she just knew that she wanted to say something. The next time she saw Laura she might very well know the truth. She felt as if she should leave the other woman with something to think on.
Laura paused and leaned against her door allowing Ellen to go on.
"I just want to apologize for Katya. She's not usually like that," Ellen told her.
With a sigh Laura looked up.
"You know, Ellen, people keep telling me that about her. You, Saul, even Bill seemed moved to defend her last night. Her peers seem to think the world of her, even the commander," Laura observed with a shrug.
"She really is a good kid, it's just…"
"Well, see that's just the thing, Ellen," Laura interrupted, "She's not a kid. She's a grown woman and she's responsible for her own words and actions the same as I am and the same as you are. Maybe she'd do better without people making excuses for her."
Laura was aware that her comment had come off as less than understanding but she had just taken a proverbial pelting from the young woman through an entire meal and she was feeling less than generous with her compassion.
If Ellen hadn't known where she was going with her words before she sure did after Laura's cold criticisms. Maybe it wouldn't make things easier for Katya but she knew it would eventually make them harder on Laura and that's what she wanted.
"Laura, I know this is probably hard for you to understand not being a parent, but just because kids may be grown and out of the house doesn't mean that you're done raising them. The girl still needs a mother," Ellen said carefully choosing her words.
"Yes, and she seems to have that in you," Laura affirmed.
"She absolutely does," Ellen agreed with a satisfied grin.
Laura considered her tone before continuing. She could honestly care less about whether Saul and Ellen's daughter really was a spoiled impetuous brat or not. She didn't have any business with the girl but she knew that she would have to deal with Saul and Ellen often if she was truly going stick her new life out.
"You know, Ellen, I don't mean to insult your child. She and I...well, we just don't seem to get along very well. I surely don't seem to inspire the best in her," Laura posed. "Saul means a great deal to Bill, so it won't bother me in the least if he would like some sort of relationship with his friend's daughter. I just think that maybe it would be best if she and I stayed out of each other's way."
Ellen inhaled deeply and smiled.
"I don't think I'll have any trouble convincing Katya to agree."
Laura nodded and went back to opening the hatch.
"Thanks again, Ellen," She said without looking back at her.
Ellen turned and started to walk away.
"Oh, you're very welcome, Laura," She replied without turning around. "For everything."
