Thanks to all the reviewers! Your encouragement is my inspiration and motivation to keep going. Read and let me know what you think! xK
"Her lungs are simply shutting down," Cottle said, staring down at the president, lying unconscious in his life station. He didn't dare meet the eyes of the Admiral. The doctor was a hard man, but there were some things that even he couldn't take. Bill's pain was most certainly one of them.
"What are our options?" Adama replied as steadily as he could manage. He too stared at Laura. An oxygen mask covered her nose and mouth, and her chest rose and fell with marked difficulty. He stood as far from her as he could in the small curtained area. She looked so fragile, and he felt so uncontrollable, he was afraid he might break her if he even came near.
"Bill," Cottle said slowly, forcing himself to look at his CO and his friend. Adama's eyes met him, with an intensity and a plea. "We're past options at this point." He said it as gently as he could, but there was no way to lessen the cut of his words.
Bill stared at him for a long moment, taking it in. He cleared his throat, "I see." He forced himself to breathe, giving his old friend some reprieve from his burdensome position. It wasn't Cottle's fault. It wasn't anyone's fault.
"Will she wake up?" He found himself asking, before realizing that maybe he didn't want to know the answer.
"I don't see why not," Cottle responded quickly. "Her brain function is still normal, and with some good oxygen in her blood she should be able to regain consciousness." He explained, trying to convince himself of his assertion.
Bill looked away and back to Laura, his wife, asleep and in front of him, yet slipping through his finger tips.
"That said, Bill," Cottle started gingerly. "This would be the time to start making preparations," he continued, before Adama shot him a fiery glare.
"I'll leave you," Cottle sighed, turning. He wasn't going to fight with the Old Man. Not now. He wanted to slap him across the face and ask him what the hell he was thinking, bringing this on himself. He wanted to strangle the woman lying in the bed for causing the hurt and fear in the Admiral's eyes. Most of all he wanted to cure her, and to evict her from his sick bed, and make everything go back to normal. He sat down at his desk with a thud and pulled out a cigarette and drink. It was all he could do.
Bill stood at attention for the next few hours, standing straight and breathing little. He found his chest rising and falling in time with hers, and realized his lungs were fighting just as hard. He wanted to hit something, and hard. He wanted to fight something, kill something. He hated the urges that were rising in his blood, and he stood until he ached just to punish himself.
When her eyes began to flutter open, all of his controlled endeavors were thrown out the airlock. He rushed forward, no longer afraid to touch her, or to give himself over to his need to actually feel her there, alive and tangible. He took her hand in one of his, and cupped her cheek with the other, and stared into the glossy emerald pools that he'd feared he'd never have the chance to get lost in again.
Laura swallowed hard, and cleared her throat. She touched the mask over her face and took in the sights around her. She was comforted by Bill's closeness, but disquieted by the hospital around her. She also found herself agonizing over what had brought her here again, and the fear that she might never leave.
Bill's sigh caused her to focus on the warmth of his hand on her cheek. She gathered the worry and relief in his eyes and realized that he must have feared the worst. She pulled the mask off of her face to speak, and found her throat cracked and dry.
"You can't get rid of me that easy," she rasped softly, a smile forming on her lips.
Bill laughed out loud at her audacity and leaned forward to kiss her forehead.
Laura let the breathing mask fall back into place and took in the small amount of oxygen that her lungs would allow.
"You gave me quite a scare," Bill said with a sad smile. Laura just smiled back at him, her mouth covered by the mask, but her eyes radiating her emotion. She understood every feeling running through him, because his eyes reflected them so clearly. She could read his very thoughts in this state, when he let down his guard and his strong defenses.
She reached for the mask to say something impish in return, but he stopped her. "Rest your lungs Laura," he said with a soft smile. "Just rest."
She nodded reluctantly and sighed. She had a lot to say. She always had a lot to say, but at this particular moment she needed to tell him certain things, things that her eyes and her smile just simply couldn't convey.
But there was no use arguing with her husband at this point. She instead closed her eyes and reveled in the feel of him running his fingers through her hair, and drawing small circles with his thumb on her arm. She fell asleep, exhausted, and warm knowing Bill was watching over her. She let herself rest, sure in the fact that she'd have time to tell him everything when she woke up.
0o0o
Later that day Adama met with Zareck in his quarters. Laura was sleeping peacefully, and Cottle assured him that the moment she awoke he would be notified.
"I think she was putting me off for a reason," Zareck said taking a sip of the water Adama had supplied.
"Why's that?" Adama replied, taking his seat on the couch.
"She's been trying to convince me to stay on, after…" He trailed off, not wanting to say it at all, but especially not in front of the Admiral.
"She's expressed as much to me," Adama said evenly, trying his best to focus on sizing up the man in front of him. Laura had spent many an evening trying to convince him that Zareck could actually make a decent president.
"You've discussed it?" Zareck said, a gleam in his eye.
"Of course," Adama said quickly. "We discuss all matters pertaining to the leadership of this fleet."
"Of course you do," Zareck said with a smile. "I just assumed, considering your opinion, that the issue would be moot."
"My opinion?" Adama prompted.
"Come on Admiral, you think I'm still a terrorist and a rogue and there's no way you'd want me to take over once Roslin is gone." He said it a little too quickly, and a little too callously, and immediately regretted it.
Adama was quiet for a long time, considering Zareck's statement and trying to weed out his desire to strangle him, and consider him fairly.
"I just meant that the President can't have ever thought that you'd change your mind." Zareck offered, trying to undo some of the damage he'd just done.
"The President made her arguments to me, and I considered them as objectively as I could," Bill said softly, but evenly.
"She can be very persuasive," Zareck said with a smile that caused Bill's skin to crawl.
"Yes, she can," Adama replied stiffly.
"I don't mean to pry, but I assume by the urgency of this meeting that things are not going well," Zareck threw out, trying to change the subject.
"Mr. Zareck, Laura… The President is dying." He replied curtly, the fear of this morning's episode still stinging painfully. "Do you or do you not consider yourself worthy or even capable of executing the duties of the highest office of this fleet?" Adama said, his voice raising only slightly.
"I don't," Zareck said quickly. "At one time I thought I did, but that was before New Caprica, and the devastation I saw there. I have a new appreciation for the concept of government, and the needs of 50,000 people. And I'm not sure that I am the right man for the job." He said it with an honesty that shocked Adama completely.
"She said you'd say that," Adama replied after a moment. "Tom," he continued slowly. "I can accept that you've changed, that you are no longer the radical you once were. I believe that all men have a chance to decide their fate, and if you've truly found a new path I am happy for you.
"That doesn't mean I think you truly are a new man. It doesn't mean that I think you can handle the pressures and the responsibilities of the office of the President. But that said, you're the best we've got. I realize you have reservations, and I would want and expect that out of anyone who understood the vastness of undertaking this position. But, I need to know right now, upon the honor of your conscience and the survival and well being of the human race; I need to know that you've completely renounced your old ways, violence, anarchy, and radicalism. I need you to swear to me that you won't try and use the office as a launching point for your personal goals. I need to know that you'll take the oath of the Articles seriously, and to lead, protect and serve this fleet with me. "
Zareck stared at Adama, taking in his words, and realizing for the first time why this man had the respect and loyalty of so many, including President Roslin. Adama could certainly strike fear into any he met, but Zareck had never before appreciated the degree of mutual respect and admiration that he could inspire.
"I do have reservations, Admiral. But I have no hesitation in swearing to you that should you ask me, and moreover should the people need me, that I would do my best to serve this fleet as President Roslin has, and to work with you toward the best interest of the human race," Zareck proclaimed it steadily and genuinely, as far as Adama could tell. It was huge risk to believe him. It was a bigger risk to cast aside the only person in the entire fleet with enough brains and guts to actually accept the position of the presidency.
"Alright then Mr. Vice President it's settled. Laura would like you to visit her in the Life Station tomorrow. You'll need to take over her duties starting as soon as possible. Tory can help you with the transition." Adama stood and smiled tentatively at the man across from him.
Zareck rose as well, nodding in understanding. As the pair walked toward the hatch Zareck couldn't help add, "I hope you know how deeply saddened, I am, we all are, to be losing her." He rested a hand on Adama's shoulder for a moment, trying to forge the beginnings of some personal connection between them.
Bill nodded in response, unable to find words to reply, and finding he had to look away trying desperately to hide his unrestrained emotions.
"Oh and, here," Zareck said, reaching into his pocket and handing something to Adama. Bill reached out and Zareck dropped the object into his hand. "I understand that is the tradition around here," he said.
Bill turned the piece of glass over in his hand and shook his head softly.
"Thank you Tom," He said, finally meeting the Vice President's eyes once again.
"You're welcome Bill," Zareck said with a playful smirk.