We're back in action! Yay! I know I said it might be a while, but I really want to try and keep writing and posting, despite the craziness in my life right now. This story actually brings an odd sense of normalcy to my life so I will do my best to keep it up and keep posting as often as I can. Thanks for all of your support and patience! I hope you continue to enjoy this adventure with me, and please, please, please read and review!!!! Thanks so much!
Chapter 48
That night Bill lay alone in his rack thinking. All he could see was Laura's face, but thoughts of what she'd said that day swirled in his mind, confusing every thought. He couldn't find in himself the anger and frustration that he knew he felt for what she had suggested, because he was still too overwhelmed with the joy of her being alive. It was all too baffling to comprehend. He tried his best to compartmentalize his thoughts and emotions, but it was all too much.
And on top of all of it he missed her. She'd been gone for hours, and he had no idea where she was. He wanted to just forget about everything, to set aside thoughts of the future and their worries about everything and to just hold her in his arms. The thought made him sigh heavily, he knew that it would be far too difficult to put aside everything and just be together.
The sound of the hatch opening startled him and he quickly lost his train of thought. After a few moments Laura appeared before him.
"I didn't think you were coming," he said softly.
"I wasn't sure you would want me to," she replied hesitantly.
"This is your bed if and when you want it. There is never any question," he said pulling back the covers for her. Wordlessly she undressed and slid into bed next to him.
He lifted his arm and she rested her head on his shoulder. "I would miss you if you weren't here." He said kissing her forehead.
She sighed, wrapping her arms around him. "There is nothing that could keep me from this," she breathed softly.
Bill smiled widely as he kissed her hair. There were times when he wondered if it was right to open himself to her so completely and to let down his guard without fear. But despite whatever differences they had and were to come, he could not help but love her, and the feeling that trusting in her brought him. He'd been wrong. For better or for worse, it was far too easy to forget their differences and their worries and to just be.
Closing her eyes, she felt a deep contentment spreading through her as his warm skin found hers. It was almost too much to bear to be torn between the tangible and real man she loved so deeply, and the intransient possibility of what was to come and what she needed to do. She had never asked to be a leader, much less the leader of the human race or the prophet intended to save them all. When she was in Bill's arms, alone and safe and loved, she wanted nothing more than to forget survival and prophecies and to just be Laura. And for a moment she did forget everything else and just rested in the sanctuary of his skin resting next to hers. It was an oasis, but it never seemed to last for long enough.
The next morning came far too quickly and was heralded in by the sound of the phone buzzing against the wall.
"Adama," Bill said, reaching over Laura and grabbing the phone off the wall.
"Admiral we've had a security breech, we need you in the CIC ASAP." Dee's voice came through clearly.
"What happened," Bill sighed, shaking his head and glancing at Laura who stared up at him.
"The cylon prisoner escaped last night Sir. It appears she's taken a raptor and jumped away." Dee explained.
Bill paused in disbelief. "I'll be right there," he said before hanging up the phone.
Laura stared up at him waiting.
"The cylon escaped in one of our raptors. She's gone," Bill explained as he crawled over her to get up.
"Gods," Laura replied watching him closely. "How did she get out?"
"That's a good question," Bill replied as he began to dress. His mind was racing. How that thing had gotten out was a good question. An even better one was who had helped her? There was no way she'd gotten out on her own.
"I'll be on Colonial One, please keep me updated on what you find," Laura said rising herself.
"Of course," Bill said searching for a boot that was eluding him.
Laura spotted and picked up his boot. She handed it to him with a smile. "Good luck," she said sweetly.
"First day back, you're the one who's going to need it," he said, stepping toward her and kissing her softly.
He pulled on his boot and quickly ran out the door; he cursed the gods for ruining his morning. All he'd wanted to do was lie in bed and forget about the universe, but duty called instead.
Laura stood and watched him go, sighing as the hatch closed firmly behind him. Her smile faded instantly, and she sat back down on the rack, feeling shaky. She prayed to the Gods that Bill would not find out what she had done. The future of humanity was in the hands of that cylon, and her own personal future was relying on the hope that no one would ever know how she'd escaped.
Her mind flashed to the conversation she'd had with Sharon the day before. The cylon woman had been stunned to find her standing in the hatchway, and had remained so for several minutes as Laura spoke.
"I had a vision Sharon. One that showed me the path we must take to get to Earth. It showed me many things, but first among them was the necessity that cylons and humans work together toward a future and toward finding our new home. You are the proof Sharon, Hera is proof that humans and cylons can coexist. I would have never believed it, I would have rejected the idea immediately, except that you gave me pause. Hera is a miracle and she is the reason we must survive and find Earth."
Sharon was reluctant to go behind Adama's back, her loyalty was fierce. But something in Laura's words made her think twice. Her child was the future, she felt that deep within her. But could she do what the President suggested, temporarily betray her commander and her crew without being sure that her risk would be rewarded? She had decided a long time ago, when she had finally held her daughter warm and safe in her arms again, that she would do anything to protect her, to love her and to ensure her future. Suddenly, this seemed like the moment of truth. Was she willing to sacrifice her own place, her loyalty to Adama, and even her life, for Hera's, and for the future of a people to whom she didn't really belong? The answer was unabashedly, yes.
For all of her misgivings and emotions toward the president, she was glad she was alive, and agreed with her plan. She had not shared the vision that Laura had, but she did share the belief that it was possible to end the war between the cylons and humans. Love was what had brought Hera into her life, what had created her. Her love for Helo, and his for her was undeniable, and worth any risk. Laura was right, they were the proof that there was a future for cylons and humans, but it certainly wouldn't be easy.
It took a great deal of work and risk to manage it but Sharon had succeeded. Laura didn't know the details but she knew that Sharon was smart and capable. Now all they could do was wait and hope that Caprica was indeed ready to do what she had promised. Laura had decided to risk everything and trust the cylon and though she feared it might not work, she did not, even for a moment, regret her decision. This was what her vision had shown her, this was the only way.
Laura let her head fall into her hands as she felt tears rush to her eyes. She had done the right thing, she knew that. But after their discussion the day before she knew that if she was ever discovered she would lose Bill forever. Despite her best efforts to keep it from rising, there was one thought that occupied her mind. It was selfish and she was ashamed for even thinking it. But she couldn't help but worry and ask herself: Was losing Bill the price she would have to pay to save humanity? Moreover, was it even worth surviving if she couldn't have him?
