FIC TITLE: Instrument of the Gods

FIC TITLE: Instrument of the Gods

WIP

Author- PTBvisiongrrl

Part- 12/?

Date- 08 08 2008

Rating – R, just to be safe

Pairings/Characters- Lee/Kara, of course!!

Word Count-

Category- Short Story

Genre- Angst

Archiving- The Fallout Shelter, Apollo/Starbuck Fan Fic, . All others please ask!

Warnings- Not really- just language…

Spoilers- THROUGH FINALE OF SEASON THREE; AU after that

Disclaimers- Unfortunately, I don't own any of these characters, and make absolutely no profit from taking them out to play…

Summary- As we know, Kara didn't die in the mandela. But we don't know what happened to her yet- so here's my version. A sequel to my Malestorm Fill-Ins.

Chapter Twelve

"I am having a hard time finding a reason to keep Samuel Anders and Cassandra in the brig, without any evidence beyond Kara Thrace's word." Roslin sighed at Bill.

Bill poured out a measure of what passed for ambrosia these days for both of them. "As they both insist that they are not, and we don't have a working Cylon detector, I'm not sure how to produce it."

"The public is demanding their release. Saying that I am acting like a dictator and suspending civil liberties again." Roslin threw back the entire tumbler of rot-gut, showing the stress of her day. "What has Saul gotten out of her?"

"Nothing," Bill swallowed a measure of his own glass, wincing a little at the stiff kick of it. Nothing like real ambrosia at all, just a mockery of the name, he reflected to himself. "She maintains that Kara attacked her, and she simply defended herself. According to Cottle, their wounds say otherwise."

"And to the public, he's just another soldier following my orders. Is she trying to push charges against Kara?" Roslin inquired, rolling her empty glass between her fingers lanquidly.

"Surpisingly, no." Adama studied the look on her face.

"Then let's make sure she doesn't. We don't want any kind of public trial to bring out we're following Thrace's phantom bastard child to Earth." Laura rose, placing her glass down with a clink.

"Please remember that's my grandchild." Bill stated calmly, in a guarded voice. He had known this conversation was coming soon; he had just hoped it wouldn't be tonight. "Could be yours. You sure you want to keep referring to her that way?" He met Laura's eyes.

"Could be mine?" Laura asked, her voice unsure.

"I've wanted to tell you for a long time, but circumstances have not permitted me the luxury." Bill rose and went to her, grasping her hand and pulling her into an embrace. "Now, I have to say something. This is a point where we need to decide- either we are together, or not. I love you. I also love my children. Kara Thrace is the daughter I never had. Tierra is my grandchild, whether I ever get to meet her or not. If you can accept that, truly without doubt as I do, then I'm ready to tell everyone that I love you. Publicly. In a ceremony, if you want; in private, if you prefer. I'm done putting things off. We could all die tomorrow, and I'm not willing to waste anymore time."

"Bill!" Laura stuttered, her hand at her heart. "I didn't realize- I had hoped, had thought- but to put it out there so boldy-"

"Whether or not you accept Kara, Lee, and Tierra, I will still love you." Bill pressed his forehead to hers. "I can't be with you, though, unless you do."

"This is very sudden-" Laura started, lost for words.

"Take time to think while I handle our residents in the brig." Bill pulled away from her, all Admiral now. "I think they can be persuaded to forgive Kara's claims, if we release them."

"How can we let two more Cylons out into the fleet?" Laura asked, back to business. "Even if I don't believe Kara one-hundred percent, can we afford to let them out, just in case?"

"We let them out, and we follow them." Bill went to his desk and picked up two manila folders. "I have men carefully chosen to keep an eye on them. We can continue to watch them round the clock, just not here. If we can't keep them here any longer, it's the best compromise."

Roslin quickly agreed, glad to let Bill take care of it. She reflected what a relief it was not to have to shoulder the burden of command alone. Bill had been there for so long, had been her sounding board and partner- could she really continue to work side-by-side with him, knowing how they felt about each other for sure but with this child standing between them? She needed to think long and hard, and figure out how she felt.

Readying to leave, Roslin walked over to Bill and reached for his hand. "I love you, too, Bill. I will think about this, be sure-"

Billed leaned over and brushed a kiss across her forehead. "Be sure. Then come talk to me about it." He tucked her arm into his bent elbow and walked her to the door, just as he did every time they spent an unofficial evening together. Tonight, they lingered just a moment more than usual, not sure if it was the last night for such easiness between them.