Col. Tigh came in to Adama's room. Everyone was quiet for once, even Starbuck. He smiled at the thought.
Laura Roslin followed quietly behind him.
"Gods!" Laura was shocked. William Adama looked like hell. He had tubes going everywhere. He was usually so vital. This William Adama was someone she didn't recognize, and it scared her.
Tigh turned quickly. "Shh! What are you doing here, Madam President.?"
"Is he really OK?." She whispered in disbelief.
"With some rest he'll be fine. The doctor says it was close, but he'll make it."
Laura looked visibly relieved. "Starbuck?"
Tigh sighed." She got the arrow. She also got beaten within an inch of her life by a Cylon. She's alive though. She broke her ribs on both sides, bruised a kidney, fractured her arm. and bruised her lower spine. She'll recover with rest."
Laura waited. Tigh's tone was wrong. Something was up. She looked pointedly at Tigh.
Tigh was about to continue when…
Voices intruded on William Adama. He thought he heard Lee's voice earlier. Then the memory of Sharon and Lee screaming came rushing back. Adama jerked awake jumping and yelling in pain as a result..
Tigh and Laura turned immediately toward Adama. Lee jumped at the sound and immediately reached for his father.
"Easy. Dad don't move." Lee grabbed his father and helped settle him in the bed.
Adama's chest was heaving. "Get the doctor now!" Lee ordered Laura just acknowledging their presence for the first time.
Kara woke to Lee's screaming. She looked over at them, and watched helplessly.
Laura ran out of the room in search of help. Tigh moved toward the opposite side of the bed.
"Dad! Dad can you hear me? It's Lee." Lee called to his father.
Adama calmed when he heard Lee's voice.
.Lee held his hand reassuring him.
"Dad, listen to me. You're safe. You're in Life Station.. You're going to be fine. I need you to stay still. Do you understand me?"
Adama took a deep breath and opened his eyes. The doctor and med tech came running into the room.
"Get everyone but Captain Adama and Lt. Thrace out of here now." Dr Salik ordered.
"Commander, Will. It's Dr Salik. Can you hear me?"
Will took a deep breath and tried to take a mental inventory. He was in Life Station. Damn his stomach felt …
"Will, Commander, look at me!" The doctor ordered. His tone allowed no disobedience.
William Adama forced himself to focus, and turned his head to Dr Salik.
The doctor smiled. "Well, that's better. Now I need you to stay with me for a few minutes, while I check you out. Can you do that?"
Adama nodded his head slightly and closed his eyes for a minute.
Lee released his breath. His father understood them. That was a good sign.
"L…Le.." Adama stuttered having trouble getting enough breath to speak.
'Quiet now." Dr Salik admonished. "He's right here. He hasn't moved from here. He's not going anywhere. Now don't speak. Just relax and nod yes or no if I ask."
Lee moved and took his father's hand again and squeezed it firmly to let him know he was there "I'm right here." Lee said softly.
Will looked into his son's eyes. There were tears there. What the hell, Lee was crying? He must be in bad shape? Lee never cried. He screamed, cursed and ranted at him, or worse shunned him and said absolutely nothing for years. Will could count on one hand the number of times he'd seen Lee cry, if he'd ever seen Lee cry at all.
The doctor examined him, while Will tried to put all the pieces together. He was missing things. He was obviously hurt. Given Lee's reaction he had been hurt badly. He remembered Lee's screams in CIC, and Lee talking to him telling him to stay with him. He vaguely remembered a blaster, and pain, only pain after that. He had clung to Lee's hand and voice Lee made him stay. Lee didn't want him to go.
There had been a long confusing ride, and not much after that until now. It was all a jumble. Something else, something important was missing. The doctor was talking to him again when his mind clicked into gear. KARA! Where was Kara? She would be here too! He knew she would. A cylon raider flashed into his head.
Adama jumped again.
"Dammit ,Dad stay still." Lee looked and there was fear in his father's eyes. Something Lee never remembered seeing ever "What ...what's wrong. Calm down it's OK. You're safe." Lee looked at the doctor desperately. What was wrong? Adama was increasingly agitated
The doctor shook his head unsure.
"Sir, stop fighting everyone that's my job, dammit! Stay still and listen to Lee for once." Kara ordered. Lee looked up at her shocked. He wasn't aware she was awake until now.
Adama calmed and looked in her direction. Kara motioned for someone to roll her over to the Commander. One of the techs grabbed the gurney and placed her within reach of the Commander. She grabbed his hand loosely.
"Now be quiet, sir you woke me up. The CAG here says I'm supposed to be resting. How is a body supposed to sleep with all this noise? You wouldn't want me to disobey a direct order now would you , sir?"
The doctor broke into laughter. An unorthodox approach yes, but that was Starbuck. It worked far better than sedating a patient this weak.
Lee chuckled under his breath, and mouthed a thank you at her.
Adama sighed and relaxed. His eyes drifted shut. His family was safe for the moment. There was more he knew, but right now it didn't matter. He was too tired to worry about it anyway. It could wait until later. He drifted back to sleep.
Lee looked expectantly at the doctor. Dr Salik spoke softly, so Lee and Kara could hear. He didn't want to wake Adama. The more rest he got the better.
"He's doing remarkably well. He took one hell of a hit."
"Why is he having trouble breathing and talking?" Lee was scared. He had never seen his father this weak.
"He took two direct blaster shots to the stomach, son. It's amazing he's not on a respirator. He's tough. He just needs rest and time. He answered everything sensibly. He understands and knows his surroundings. Trust me he's better than I expected.
Lee nodded unsure, but it sounded like good news.
"He's going to fine, Lee" Kara turned and smiled at Lee.
It was Kara's turn to reassure him. Lee looked at her and believed her.
He sighed and walked over to her and took her free hand and kissed her forehead..
.They talked softly, and the doctor left unnoticed.
