Bright, Shiny Futures - Chapter Thirty- Six

Lee wandered the room restlessly. He was sure after the conversation on the way back to the police station that this would be a formality and he'd be released but apparently that wasn't how it was going to go. You shouldn't be so naive, his mind told him. They're going to need to find someone to blame for what happened and it's going to be you.

He sighed and sat down on the one chair they'd left him. Much as he'd hoped to get out of her and rejoin Kara and the children, he knew it was likely not going to happen. So long as they made it to Galactica and got away, that was what mattered. Sara and Zach were the most important thing and he knew Kara would do whatever she had to to get them to safety. He'd had his chance ... no matter that he'd screwed up nearly everything he'd done in his life. Now it was their turn to live.

The door opened and Nelson came in. Lee half smiled but it dropped quickly when he caught sight of the other man's face.

"I've only got a moment to warn you," he said, drawing close and whispering.

"Warn me? About what?"

"I think you're telling the truth but my partner doesn't believe your story. He's putting you under arrest."

"For what?"

"Kidnapping for starters. Possible murder if he can make it stick."

"You don't have a body or even any evidence. Just Kathryn's word against mine."

Nelson raised an eyebrow. "You're awfully knowledgeable about the law, for being a pilot."

"Used-to-be pilot. I've been working in law myself for a number of years now. With our civilization having to start all over again we needed a new justice system and I helped put that together."

"Real jack-of-all-trades, aren't you?"

Lee laughed dryly. "Not really. I became a pilot because that's what my father did. I became a lawyer because that's what my grandfather did." He met Nelson's eyes. "Not very original I'm afraid."

He shrugged. "My father was a cop," he said, eyes full of understanding. "I think a lot of men do what their fathers did to try to stay close to them."

Lee nodded. "I've known a few," he said softly.

The door handle clicked. Nelson touched Lee's arm. "Take it easy. I'll do my best to get you out of here."

Another man joined them and shut the door. He was tall and burly - much like Sam might look when he reached middle age. "I'm charging you for the kidnapping and possible murder of one Michael Smith three days ago." He pulled Lee's arms behind his back and handcuffed them.

Lee opened his mouth to protest but Nelson shook his head and frowned.

"You have the right to remain silent," the older officer continued. "If you give up that right ... "

"What he means to say is it's best to wait for a lawyer before you talk," Nelson interrupted.

"I don't have a lawyer," Lee said quietly. "Where would I get one?"

"We'll take care of it."

He looked gratefully at the other man. It was good to have an ally.

XXXXX

"Are you crazy Sammy? They're going to kill you!" Tory's eyes were red as they filled with tears.

"Maybe I'm crazy but I have to do this," he said firmly. "Besides, they'll be too busy worrying about the end of the world to bother with me. Either way, I'm going to bite it so I might as well go out fighting," he added lightly, with a trace of a boyish smile.

"Not if you come to Galactica with me. We can get away from this hellhole together." Tory walked into his arms and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Sam did likewise and buried his face in her hair. "I'd like that too but my place is here. I know what I have to do."

"Let me stay with you then," she pleaded.

He shook his head emphatically. "No. You have a job to do too. You have to make sure the children get to Galactica safely. They're our only hope of survival."

"But their parents can ... "

"No Tory, you have to help them. What if something happens to the parents? There has to be backup." He kissed the top of her head to lessen the sting of his words. "Hopefully I'll make it back there in time."

She pulled back to look him in the eyes. "And if you don't?"

He tried to smile. "Perhaps I'll see you on the other side."

"We don't know if we can resurrect like the others."

"No, we don't. But sometimes you have to go on faith." He stroked her cheek lightly. "This is one of those times."

She buried her face in his chest again and began to cry quietly. Sam held her close and laid his cheek down on her hair. As he closed his eyes, some wetness leaked out the corners.

XXXXX

Sharon broke the connection suddenly. She opened her eyes, slightly startled at her surroundings.

"Are they okay?" Kara asked worriedly.

She nodded, giving herself a moment to formulate her thoughts. She took a deep breath. "I think they are to be the leaders of the new civilization to come."

"New civilization?" Kara queried.

"The Cylons all but destroyed themselves in their attempts to annihilate the humans. The ones the virus they created didn't kill, infighting did. I never said anything to the others but the creation of that biological weapon divided them. Some models believed it was a good thing to continue killing, some didn't. They ended up fighting one another."

"How do you know that?"

"We were close enough to them that I could sense it through the link."

"Why didn't you tell anyone? You could have had your chance to rid yourselves of that threat."

Sharon faced her squarely. "Because there are those among our leaders who would have taken that opportunity to their advantage and wiped out the remaining Cylons."

"Would that have been so bad? You say you're with the humans yet you still sympathize with them. I'm not sure I understand."

"I'm not for them, if that's what you're thinking," Sharon said, a trace of anger in her voice. "Think back to what the Cylons did to your people. They took human weaknesses, used them, and tried to annihilate you. You consider that genocide and completely unacceptable. How would you be any better if you'd done the same to us?"

But you're machines, not people. The thought briefly flashed through Kara's mind then she quashed it. That wasn't truly how she felt. Not about Sharon anyway.

It was as though Sharon had read her mind. "We may not be human but we're a living, breathing, sentient race. We deserve the same rights as you." She stopped and took a calming breath. "The fact that some of them voted against killing you means they're capable of evolving. We're capable of evolving. You, me and others have had children together with the others. We've created a new race by joining together peaceably."

Kara nodded, feeling slightly ashamed of her earlier thoughts. "You're right."

"It's one thing to fight your enemies face to face. It's another to attack while they're busy fighting themselves and have no defense. Though it's all kind of a moot point anyway. Cylons are nearly extinct and humanity is going to do the same to themselves. We have to save the children, get off this world and find ourselves a new home. A place where being half-Cylon won't matter. Perhaps in several generations everyone will have human/Cylon blood and DNA and we'll all be equal."

Kara looked into her eyes. "I hope so. It would be good to put all of this behind us and move forwards."

Sharon nodded silently.

Kara looked at the children, still lost in their own world. "I guess it's time to come up with a plan to get us out of here."

"I thought you were more a seat-of-the-pants sort of person," Sharon said, lips turning up slightly in a smile.

Kara grinned. "I am. But it's good to have backup, just in case."

XXXXX

He didn't like being in jail. Kara had often seemed to enjoy her trips to the brig but he never had, and years of avoiding the dubious pleasure had only made it more unpleasant.

His hands caressed the bars up and down, warming them as though he might be able to break them if only he could heat them enough. A memory came unbidden, of standing in the brig and talking to Kara for the first time since Zak's death. She'd been the one behind bars then and he'd been glad of it, as if they hadn't been there he didn't know if he'd have been able to check the impulse to take her and frak her senseless right then and there. She'd frustrated him beyond belief but somehow that frustration had always led to extreme desire on his part. He smiled ruefully. Everyone had thought Kara had been the screwed up one back then, but he'd been a damn good rival, though he'd hidden it better than she. His cheeks grew warm, though his heart pained at the memory of how horribly wrong things had gone over the succeeding few years.

The sound of the door opening pulled his eyes back to the present. Nelson came in, a look on his face that shouted out how uncomfortable he was. His partner followed him in, along with another man Lee had never seen before.

"This is Mr James Bridges. He'll be your lawyer."

The two men shook hands and exchanged desultory greetings, then everyone sat, the two officers on one side of the table, Lee and Bridges on the other.

"We need to discuss your story Mr Adama," the senior officer began, pulling out a clipboard and pen.

"What do you want to know?" he asked.

"Tell us where you were three nights ago between seven and ten in the evening."

"At the hotel your government has us staying in."

"Did you remain inside the whole three hours?"

"No, I went out for a walk."

"Why?"

"I felt like getting some fresh air."

"That sounds like a flimsy reason." The officer's attitude was almost but not-quite openly hostile.

Lee glared at him. "I've been stuck on a spaceship for the better part of eight years and when we finally arrived on Earth we got locked up inside again. Maybe you can't understand it but I needed to get outside - to breathe real air and see trees and grass."

The man took a few moments to write notes before continuing. "Did you see anyone during your 'walk' outside?"

Lee licked his lips self-consciously. "I saw Kara and her husband talking."

"Did you stop to talk to them?"

"No."

"Why not? She's your friend isn't she? Why not stop and say hello?"

Lee counted to ten before answering. The way the other man was pushing him reminded him of his father. "Yes, she's my friend, but it looked like they were having a personal conversation. I didn't want to interrupt."

"Uh huh." The officer scribbled some notes. "Did you see anything else?"

"No."

Lee was sure the man didn't believe him. The questioning continued for a long while - some questions being repeated numerous times, sometimes it was new questions. He was careful with his answers and the lawyer never interrupted so he figured things were going well.

Eventually the officers stood, the older one closing up the clipboard and tucking it under his arm. "We've got a fairly good circumstantial case against you Mr Adama. Motive, means and opportunity. It's not looking good."

Lee shrugged, opening his mouth soundlessly.

"All we need to do is find some evidence and our case is complete. And we will find the evidence, make no mistake about that."

Lee shook his head. "I didn't do anything," he whispered.

Bridges put a hand on his arm. "That's enough. You've cooperated as far as you need to." He shot the officers a warning look. "I need a chance to debrief my client. Perhaps we can do that over lunch."

Nelson nodded sympathetically. "I'll have something sent in for you."

The atmosphere was tense till the door closed behind them. Bridges turned to face Lee. "So, did you kill him?"

XXXXX

Cally turned fiery eyes back to her husband. The man she'd married. The pseudo-man/machine. She didn't even know how to think of him anymore. He's a machine! her mind screamed. He's not a man. You don't owe him anything!

"You wouldn't dare." The words oozed out of her mouth challengingly. "You wouldn't dare kill me, it would get you into too much trouble."

Tyrol stepped forward till he was nearly in her personal space. "I'll do whatever I have to, and frak the consequences. Making sure Nicky is safe is more important than anything. Even you. Make no mistake - I will remove any obstacle that stands in my way."

Cally paled at the intense determination and anger in his eyes. "You really are one of them aren't you? she said softly. "You're not the Galen Tyrol I thought I knew."

Tyrol backed away slowly, face set angrily. "No, I guess I'm not."

She choked back a sob and zipped up her bag. "I've got myself another room. I won't be back."

Tyrol sighed as the door slammed behind her. "That went better than I expected."

XXXXX

Kara grabbed a piece of paper and pen from a drawer and began to write. It wasn't till the children broke apart and there was noise in the room that she came back to herself and looked around.

Sharon had stood quietly, keeping watch over all of them. "Working on the plan?" she asked.

Kara glanced at her without really seeing her. "Mmm." Her head bent back down over her work. "It's difficult," she murmured. "Too many variables ... " She scrawled for a long while, words and pictures covering the page. Suddenly she looked up. "Are Adama and Roslin back yet?"

Sharon shrugged. "I don't think so. If they were, Karl would be here."

Kara pulled out her cell phone and searched for the number she'd been given. She dialed and waited, feeling a little self conscious as all eyes were on her.

"Hello Mr Vice President, this is Kara Thrace."

"So far ... well, not really good, but things are still holding."

She was silent for a long minute as she listened.

"Yes. I wanted to know how soon you'll be on your way back."

"Already? That's excellent news." Kara smiled briefly. "I've got a plan I want to run by you all." Her cheeks coloured. "Yes I know sir, but we need to be ready just in case the worst happens."

"Yes sir. Thank you sir. Goodbye."

"So?" Sharon prompted.

Kara's cheeks flamed. "I guess I forgot the people in charge here don't have to listen to me," she said ruefully. "I got used to the Admiral and Roslin always being willing to listen to me even when I wasn't a ranking officer."

"We could have used some of your crazy-ass ideas during the last eight years," Sharon said softly. "We really missed you."

Kara blinked several times. "It seems you managed okay without me."

"Barely."

The two women shared a smile. "Come on over here and take a look at what I've got. Let me know what you think."

"It sucks." Sharon grinned and started across the room.

Kara stuck her tongue out. "Shut up," she said playfully.

"No you shut up."

"No you ... "

XXXXX

Sam walked into the police station purposefully, taking a quick look all around before heading to the desk.

"Yes, can I help you?" the officer said politely.

"I'd like to turn myself in for the murder of Michael Smith."

TBC