Deception, Day 11…

As predicted, the press did not want to ask questions about the latest supply issues, or maintenance plans, all they wanted to focus on was yesterday's Colonial Fleet Day celebrations. And, even then, they didn't want to know if Laura felt it had been a fleet-wide success, or if children on board the Rising Star had enjoyed themselves. No surprise there. No, the only newsworthy topic was the President's dance with Admiral Adama – oh, and their late arrival.

"Is it true that you and Admiral Adama snuck into a storage room for a quick encounter before the party?"

"Is there any truth to the rumour that the pause in your dancing was because Adama had just asked you to marry him?"

"You and the Admiral were looking very cosy last night, are we to take this as indication that the rumours about the two of you are true?"

Laura raised her hands to stop them. "Okay… Okay… I really thought you'd have learned by now that if you all shout at once I can't possibly distinguish each and every question." The room settled down and Laura was glad to be able to return her voice to normal. "I am, however, getting better, and I think I managed to isolate three that time. I couldn't identify whose they are though, so I'll just relay them back… Is it true that the Admiral and I snuck into a storage room for a quick 'encounter' before the party?… No. That is not true. We went to the storage room to retrieve a bottle of wine to give to Captain Thrace… Is there any truth to the rumour that the pause in our dancing was because the Admiral asked me to marry him?… No. I can assure you that did not happen then, or at any other time, last night, or any other day since Admiral Adama and I met… We were looking very cosy last night, should you take this as indication that the rumours are true? Well if that refers to the same rumour as the previous question, then obviously, no."

Several hands began to raise, Laura waved them down again.

"If, however, you're referring to the rumours that the Admiral and I are more than just good friends, then… yes."

And everyone shouted simultaneously again.

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