Chapter 11

Bill "Joesph" woke up with a hell of a headache and his guardian angle was gone. What did she say her name was? Shevon, her name was Shevon. He would have to find her later but now, he decided he needed to find a more premanate place to stay. He sat up slowly, but the pain from his abdomen along with his pounding head caused him to fall back against the pillow. He decided that the best thing to do at the moment was stay put. Shevon might return and he might be able to repay her kindness.

--

Lee was fuming as he walked down the corridor. He stepped into the brig and walked over to the cell. He stood motionless and stared at his target for a long time, as if contemplating his next move.

"Open the cell." Lee commanded.

"Major?" Venner stood and walked toward the acting commanding officer.

"I said open the cell."

Venner was uncertain if this was a wise action but did as he was instructed.

Tigh stood up.

"Sit down."

"You don't tell me what to do, Major?"

"I do now. You're no longer a Colonel in this fleet. Sit down." Lee's voice was hard.

"You messed up your objective. He's still alive."

"Thank the Gods."

Lee began circling Tigh's chair. "Tell me Mr. Tigh, exactly how long have you known you were a cylon?"

"I'm not a cylon! I'm Saul Tigh."

"So, you keep telling us." Lee stopped a looked Tigh in the eye. "Tell me Saul Tigh. Where is my father?"

"You said he was alive. I assume he is here."

"He's not." Lee yelled. "You chased him away. You violated his trust! You the very thing that we're all trying to escape from he couldn't take it anymore." Lee face was red with anger. He turn to Venner give me you're side arm.

"Sir?"

"Give me your weapon, Corporal!"

Venner handed his side arm to an enraged Lee Adama. Lee pushed the weapon against Tigh's Temple. "Where is he?"

"I don't know!" Tigh said fear evident in this voice.

"How many cylons are there in the fleet? How many of them are our friends!"

"I don't know." He did know but his wasn't about to say. Lee pushed him the deck and walked out of the cell. He placed the weapon on the table as he left.

---

Bill rolled out of bed and collected his belongings. He had to leave before the girl returned. He needed to keep moving. He didn't want to be found out. He needed time. His ribs still hurt and he wondered if he had gone that at the bar but then thought better of it. He had drunk too much but he didn't remember getting into any fights. The only memory of the bar was the beautiful blonde woman that was his savior. He wanted to stay here and escape with her but he had to move on. Shevon was a beautiful woman but there was something about her the told him to get away. Bill didn't know exactly why, it was just a feeling.

----

Dee walked down by the plot table. Alpha team has complete and sealed grid one. There's no sign of him. They're move to gird two. Delta has complete search grid five and sealed it, no sign of him. They're moving on as well."

"Frak, where in the hell is he?" Lee reached down and captured Dee's hand under the table and squeezed it. "We're running out of time Dee."

"We'll find him Apollo. We will I know it."

"I hope you're right Dee."

Dee knew it wasn't the place or time but she reached up and caressed his face. "We Will." Lee took her hand from his and held "I'm sorry." She whispered.

Lee shook his head, smiled at his wife and drew her hand to his lips lightly kissing her hand. "It's okay."

"How's Laura?"

"She feels responsible."

"We all do."

Dee hang her head and Lee put a hand under her chin. "Hey none of that now," Lee wiped her tears away. "Yes, we do. I need you Dee. I'll be storng for you if your strong for me."

"I'm not going anywhere but you are doing a wonderful job with all of this I'm proud of you. Your father would be proud of you too."

---

Bill Adama wandered through the corridors of the Prometheus. He was careful to hide his face; for fear that someone would recognize him. He hadn't shaved in a while and the scruffy look was helping him to fit into the fabric of the ships occupants. He still was uncertain if he was truly unrecognizable. He found a deserted area and put down his belongings. He needed to rest awhile his side was sore and he was short of breathe. He hid in the corner from any passers by and ate a ration pack. Food was a necessity but it wasn't a friend. His stomach wasn't used to solid food and ration packs weren't the best solid food. He struggled to get it down but once it was there it stayed. He was thankful for that.

Bill fell asleep for a short time and when he woke up he heard voices talking in the corridor. "They say they want to board and search the ship for their missing man. I say let it be if the man doesn't want to be in military they shouldn't force him. You would think Adama would have a better head about this. The Captain is allowing them to come on and search. It's like he knows something that no one in the fleet knows."

Cold fear descended on his body. They knew he was missing and they were about to search the ship he was on. He was certain that most of the people on this ship wouldn't know his face, especially now, but his men would know he had to leave and quickly

Bill walked quietly down the corridors to the hanger deck in hopes of finding passage away from this place but he was meant by a wall of ships security personnel waiting for the search party from Galactica. He was trapped. There would be no way off the ship until after they left and then he knew that getting off would be difficult. If Lee was smart, and Bill knew he was, the searched ships would be quarantined away from the rest of the fleet. He would have to find out which ships had already been searched and get passage to one of those, if he wasn't found before then.

---

Shevon was surprised Joe had left so soon. She got an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. There was something about him she couldn't put her finger on. She knew she shouldn't search for him but, there was something that drew her to him. She knew his was hurt, mentally and physically. She wanted to help. She searched the room for any clue of his whereabouts or true identity-she had figured out the Joseph was not his name. It was the look in his eyes when he told her, even under the influence of alcohol she could always tell when a man was lying.

She tossed the bed and the bedside table, searched the floor and bathroom and found nothing. She would have to do this the hard way. She left her room and headed for the bar. She'd heard that the Galactica was searching for someone and she knew that no one would get of the ship, eventually he would have to eat and the bar was the only decent place to get food. She would search the corridors and other hiding place along the way.

---

Laura stood on the observation deck. She enjoyed the peacefulness of this place. She was often afforded time to herself and in light of recent events. Laura felt that she had been neglecting her duties, so today she had gone back to Colonial One and acted Presidential. Her heart was somewhere else but she survived the day.

Laura was happy to be back aboard the Galactica somehow when she was here she felt closer to him. He was out there somewhere and she wanted to be with him. There was so much she hadn't said. There was so much they hadn't admitted to. She loved him and she needed him back. She had to tell him before it was too late.

Laura was lost in thought, staring into space. "There you are?"

Lee put his hand on her shoulder and she cringed. "Oh, Lee you scared me."

"I'm sorry. I thought you..."

Laura waved off the apology. It's not your fault. I'm in my own little world right now. I'm not much use to anyone, especially this fleet."

"You're doing a fine job, Laura, no one will blame you for the way you're acting, no one here does."

Laura turned around and Lee was able to see the distress on her face. He drew her into an embrace. "It's hard to put on a face, to be presidential, when I know he's out there, alone and hurt."

Lee held her tightly as she cried into his shoulder wishing there was some way to take her pain away and meld into his own.

---

Shevon sat at the bar for a most of the day but there was no sign of Joseph. Joseph there was something familiar about that name. Maybe it was one of her clients from the past. No, that wasn't it. My grandfather was a lawyer, I always wanted to follow in his footsteps, but it wasn't in the cards. Lee!!! It was Lee! The Admiral that, who it was-- how, had she missed it. It's in the eyes. Those eyes that she looked in so deeply last night-how did she miss that?

Shevon slid off the barstool and went running. She ran until she got back to her room and to a wireless. "This is the Prometheus communications link, Can I help you? "Yes, I need to place a wireless call the Galactica, Lee Adama, Please." Shevon held her breath and waited.

"Ma'am, I can't place that call at the moment we are in the middle of a fleet search."

"Look, I know, but I need to speak to Lee Adama, It's very important...it could mean life or death."

"One moment please. I have to get clearance." The line went dead again and Shevon's heart began to pound faster in her chest. She mentally kicked herself for not seeing this soon. The line picked up again. "This is Lieutenant Dualla."

"Yes," Shevon's voice was shaky. "I would like to speak with Lee Adama. I have some information about your missing crew member."

"Hold a moment." Dee tried her best to control her emotions as she switched to ship wide. "Pass the word to Commander Adama, Commander Adama, call CIC. Commander Adama, call CIC."

---
Lee and Laura eased their embrace. "I just have to get this. Why don't you sit down here? Lee walked her over to the window sit and eased her down. He went and picked up the handset. "Adama"

"I have someone on the line that says they have information about your father. She'll only talk to you." Dee's voice was calm and quiet

Lee shifted a little and looked over to Laura. "Put here through down here."

"Please hold for the Commander."

Shevon took a deep breath. "This is Adama."

"Lee it's me, Shevon."

"Shevon?" Lee paused why would she be calling him? What information could she possibly have? Then his mind flashed back. "Why didn't you tell me about the woman?"

"Lee I can't believe I didn't notice this last night...I'm sorry I should have. I should have noticed earlier."

"Noticed what?"

"He used the name Joseph, I should have figured it out."

Lee could feel his stomach flip. "Shevon, is he...are you saying?"

"He's here...He was with me...last night...I'm sorry."

"Where is he now?"

Laura stood up and walked over toward Lee. She stared at him hopefully. He reached for her. "Shevon, this is important. He's hurt."

"I know, but I woke this morning and he was gone. He still has to be on the ship...no one can leave."

"I know, hold tight, I'll find you."

"No, Lee I have to look for him but most everyone knows me here now, I'll try to stay in touch with you."

Lee smiled. "I can't ask you..."

"I want to do this Lee."

"Okay, but be careful. We will be there soon."

Lee hangs up the handset when the line went dead. "He's on the Prometheus... Lee picked up the wireless. "Flight deck this is the Commander ready SAR alpha one, CIC, Adama. Contact sickbay...medical team to SAR raptor."

"Aye Commander." Dee answered giving the order, "Lee who was that girl?"

"It's a long story Dee and one for later."

"I understand."

Lee hangs the handset up again and turned to Laura. He took a hold of both of her shoulders. "Laura, I promise, I'll bring him home." Lee began to walk away but she stopped him.

"Lee, I'd like to go."

"I can't, it's too dangerous."

"Lee." Her voice pleaded as she came closer and looked into his eyes. "It's always been between us."

---

Adama sat in the dark corner of the deck, gasping for air. He side hurt he reached down and grabbed his side, coming up with blood on his hand

"This just gets worse and worse. So now the Cylons look like us?"

"Right down to their blood.

"My God... you realize what this means? They could be anywhere. Any one.

"I've had time to think about it, yes."

"What do we do?"

"I have no idea."

He had no idea what to do...Tigh...betrayed. Frak no idea. no idea. He had an idea to make this all end.