"Okay, now how do we get out of here?" Kara asked the million cubit question.
Luckily, the hologram disappeared on its own. It must have been on a time release mechanism of some kind, allowing them to remain in the projection area long enough to study the symbols.
They found themselves back in the tomb. Kara gestured to the statue of Sagittaron. "What about the…"
Laura shrugged. "I guess it served its purpose."
Bill and Lee concurred, so Kara left the arrow in the bow, and the group exited the tomb.
Helo and Chief were at the entrance with the machine "What happened? Did you find it?" Chief asked.
Bill nodded, pulling Laura against him. "We found our way home, but it's gonna be a long journey."
Laura held onto Bill. "We'll do it together."
Chief nodded. "So say we all."
Bill made a joke/order about them getting moving again. However, it was getting dark soon and the mountain was a good enough place to camp, so they set up the tents.
Bill and Laura ate together, making small chatter about what they'd experienced together: the symbols and signs, the wonder. They "designed" their cabin: a porch swing, bookshelf, giant bed, large shower. "What about the kitchen?" He asked.
"I want it big enough for us both to cook."
He raised a brow.
She shrugged. "I just like the idea."
He took her hand. "Me too. It's just….different."
"Hmm."
"Good different, I promise."
She squeezed his hand. "I'm glad. It's...different for me too."
They cleaned up their dinner and settled on their bedspread. She snuggled against him. "You're my favorite pillow, Adama."
He stroked her hair, moving his hand down to her back, rubbing small circles. "You're my favorite blanket, Roslin."
/
The return trip seemed to go by much quicker. It was like the trail runs Laura used to take when she was younger. The first leg was always longer, as she learned the trail, typically tripping on a tree root or something sticking up from the ground at least once. But the second leg was always faster because she knew the route, avoided the troublesome spots, and ran more quickly with anticipation of her homecoming, where she'd reward herself greatly. She'd stopped running when she got into politics: she just didn't seem to have time anymore.
For years, her mother had pushed her to keep up with her exercise, and Laura did enjoy the occasional jog, or more often, a power walk, as that was easier on her body, which had lost its previous conditioning.
The long hike back to the raptors was like those runs of old. They were familiar with the route and elated with their discovery. They were ready for the reward waiting for them with the fleet, and Laura longed for the moment when she could share their findings with the people. Most press conferences filled her with dread, especially after Seacade, but this was one she was actually excited about.
It seemed the cost in blood had already been paid, as there were no further cylon attacks nor any other incidents. The planet...was at peace. For how long, she didn't know, couldn't possibly know, but for the time being, they had a break, which lasted until they were able to board their raptors and leave the planet.
Laura sat next to Bill, as he piloted their raptor home. "Will you miss it?" he asked.
"Miss what? Kobol?" He nodded, and she shrugged. "I'll miss the freedom to kiss you whenever I want-" He snorted. She smiled and continued, "And the weather, the air, things like that. But…"
"The cost was great, I know. But it was worth it, Laura. It'll be worth it because we'll make sure of that. Together."
"What did I do to deserve you?"
He chuckled. "I was just thinking that about myself."
They let it drop. It wasn't awkward, just quiet, and she watched him work the controls. His eyes were constantly moving from the glass-whatever it was called, window perhaps-to the various monitors and radars. He looked...comfortable. At home.
"What was your first mission like?"
He smiled briefly before turning back to his controls. "That's a good story. I was piloting a raptor with a grumpy ECO and a mysterious scientist. We were under orders to follow the scientist on a mission, but she...betrayed us. She wanted to help the cylons, or...I don't know. We stopped her from her plans. And then I continued serving on Galactica until the end of the war."
"Will we always be at the mercy of traitors?"
He snorted. "I hope not. It's bad enough they look like us. How are we supposed to pick out the possible human traitors?"
How indeed? She gestured toward the glass. "What is this called, Bill?"
"What? The glass?" He chuckled. "Viewscreen."
She giggled. "That fits."
"What did you think it was called?"
She tilted her head to the side. "Window. Or a windshield."
"That fits too. You know how we are with our terms. I guess Lee didn't cover that part with you."
"No. It's not something I thought to ask, and he probably didn't think to explain it."
They were silent again. She contented herself watching him in his element. Wondering about the missions he'd flown and how dangerous they were. He was...everything she wasn't, but somehow...they just made sense.
Later, the sight of Galactica through the viewscreen filled her with an excitement and longing she never would have expected just weeks before. He maneuvered the raptor onto the flight deck, where Saul, Billy, and Baltar were waiting for them.
Bill opened the hatch and guided Laura as they walked out. "Watch your step, Madame President."
Back to work. "Thank you for a safe trip, Commander Adama."
Laura glanced at the second raptor. Its occupants exited, and they were moving to meet the landing party.
She refocused on the men in front of them, as Saul saluted them both. "Madame President, Commander. Tell me you found something good."
Bill saluted his friend. "We did indeed, Colonel."
She addressed Billy, Saul, and Baltar. "Let's debrief in the Commander's quarters."
Bill turned to the rest of their team. "Stand down until your next shift." Then he addressed the Chief, "And put that thing back in its cell."
Chief Tyrol nodded and Lieutenant Agathon made no protest although he clearly wasn't happy with that order. The copy looked as though it had accepted its current status. The machine behaved in a way Laura didn't understand, and there were moments - not many - when she could almost forget it was a machine.
Kara and Lee left the hangar bay with little more than a few small smiles and quick salutes to their Old Man.
Seeing his will was done, Bill offered Laura his arm, and she took it, ready to spread the good news.
/
They crowded around Bill's work table. Laura went first, sparing a few details, but essentially revealing the events on Kobol, ending with the big finale.
Saul's eyes widened. "Well, I'll be. It actually worked." He glanced at Bill. "How long will it take?"
Bill sighed. "It could take a few years. It's many many jumps away, and who knows what will happen on the way there." He smiled at Laura. "But the important thing is that our President has given us hope. And we have a clearer direction now."
Laura looked around the room at the three men she and Bill had left in charge of the fleet. "All right, you've heard our good news. What's been going on around here?"
Saul cleared his throat. "It's been very quiet for the most part. Delegate Zarek-" Bill growled a little at the mention of that name. But Saul continued, "wanted to know why the entire senior staff was on a camping trip, but the three of us answered his question satisfactorily. The rest of your quorum, Madame President, even explained how everything was done according to Colonial Law. So Zarek shut up."
"Very good. I'm sure that's not the last I'll be hearing from Mr. Zarek, but as you said we acted according to the code, and I acted according to the Scriptures, which should satisfy most parties. Our news of Earth will satisfy everyone else, I'm sure." Everyone nodded and murmured their assent. "And the cylons?"
"Not a peep, Sir," Saul said.
Laura smiled. "It sounds like you gentlemen did a fine job. I'll have to remember this for when I need a vacation." Baltar looked like he was on the verge of a panic attack. She snorted. "I'm kidding, of course. No vacations for me until Earth." She looked at Baltar. "Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I'm sure you're glad to give up the helm."
He nodded. "Yes, Madame President. It is not a task to take lightly. I...um...you deserve much credit. But I do believe I'm up for the challenge….if the...need should arise, I mean."
She was careful to flash her most polite smile. "Yes, I understand. And thank you again. I'm much more at ease knowing you're here should, as you said, the need arise."
Bill cleared his throat, thanked everyone for their work, and dismissed everyone - meaning Baltar really. Billy lingered a bit, and Laura went to hug him. "How much of his work did you do?"
Billy shrugged. "Close to all of it, but...I'd rather be sure it was done and according to your standards."
She nodded.
He gestured to the quarters. "I suppose you might as well rest here tonight. You've been...travelling a lot. And I'll see you at our press conference tomorrow."
"Yes, I'm sure the Commander will acquire guest quarters for me, as an overnight stay is necessitated by my exhaustion."
"Of course, Madame President. Good night." He paused at the hatch. "And I'm so glad you found it and came back to us. I'm an atheist, but I believe in you and the Commander."
She smiled. "I believe you and Commander Adama have more in common than a name, Billy. Good night. Perhaps you can visit Dee on your way back."
He shot her a sheepish look and scooted out through the hatch.
Bill and Saul were conducting their own changing of the guard, which ended in a hug. "It's good to have you back," Saul said.
"It's good to be back."
Saul approached the hatch, saluting Laura on the way out. "Good night, Madame President."
She returned the salute and the sentiment, and he exited. She turned to Bill who was seated on the sofa, looking...exhausted. She sat next to him, as he lifted his arm to wrap around her, and she leaned against his chest and shoulder. He kissed her forehead. "I finally have you to myself, and all I want to do is sleep."
She sighed. "I know. But...sleeping could be nice."
"And it would be an upgrade compared to where we've been sleeping."
"I say we get to it then."
Bill stood up, his knees creaking. Then he offered his hand to help her up, and they went into the head. Bill handed Laura her toothbrush before picking up his. "We should get his and her sinks in here."
She pat his shoulder. "While I'm sure Chief Tyrol is talented enough to handle such a request, I'm not sure that's a valid use of our resources. Plus, we're mature enough to share, I think."
She didn't dispute the fact that she'd be spending a fair share of her time in his quarters. That they'd likely become their quarters. Or that she was prepared to defend their relationship whatever the cost.
He ran his brush under the water, and began brushing. She followed suit. They brushed their teeth. Bill put a lot of pressure on the brush as he pushed it across his teeth, in and out, up and down. She was decidedly gentler with her brush, and she didn't take as long either.
"We'll install them in our cabin, though, right?" he asked when he was finished.
She nodded. "That I can agree with."
"I always enjoy debating policy with you, Madame President."
"Me too, Commander."
He stripped down to his tanks and boxers, as she changed into her blue nightgown. He looked her over. "As lovely as that is, I must protest."
She smirked. "All you wanted to do was sleep, remember?
"I still want to feel you against me."
"I'm sure this will do just fine."
He made no further protest, so they moved toward his rack. She let him slide in first because she had a tendency to wake at odd hours to use the head. She spooned behind him. The rack - as small as it was - was a great improvement over her own cot and the sleeping conditions on Kobol. "It feels good to be home, Bill. Goodnight."
"G'night, Laura."
She could feel his body slow to its resting state. He was out. The trip had taken a lot out of him, but it was worth it. They would pay Cottle a visit after they finished their press conference.
The exhaustion hit her, and she followed her Soldier.