Hearts and Fates Entwined

By: Fairedust

Part 4

Chapter 12

Tabby decided she was going to remain on the Pegasus and no longer travel to the other ships remaining in orbit. She knew after they had finally made contact with the surface, it wouldn't be long until a rescue mission would be attempted. She didn't want to be on another ship, where she wouldn't be able to get back, before the Pegasus jumped. She needed to be near Lee when it happened. Her whole being told her she needed to protect Lee.

That night her dreams were once again filled with the parade of frightening choices. She suffered thru seeing the Colonists systematically slaughtered, only to see them once more reunited with the Fleet. She suffered thru seeing her father figure, Bill, go down in a blaze that felt like an imploding star to her heart. Then she saw him being paraded about on the shoulders of those he'd just rescued from the surface.

She suffered thru seeing Kara as she lay bleeding to death, after being shot by a Centurian. But on a different path she watched a dark blond man, of slight build, strike Kara in her head - knocking her unconscious. Farther down that path she saw Kara being carried on the shoulder of Sam. Tabby relaxed when she realized Kara was still alive and would make it off that cursed rock. This was a path Tabby wanted to see. She wanted to see her sister of heart make it back to the Fleet. But then something strange happened as she wandered down that path. She saw Kara run back to the prison she'd been held in, only to pick up a beautiful blond haired little girl.

Abruptly the scene changed before her eyes. Next she suffered thru seeing Lee's pain. As she ran from path to path in her dream/vision, she twisted and turned, looking for a choice that would show he too could be spared. But what she witnessed was either his emotional, psychological or physical pain. On several she even saw Lee's death, either during the battle to save those on New Caprica or shortly there after. It became clear to her, regardless of which path was chosen, Lee was bound to feel great pain or death. From what she'd seen, it was likely he was going to feel both.

This was something she simply could not accept. She railed against her vision, screaming out against those who would not show her a solution - a safe path where Lee would come thru this whole and unbroken. When she did so she could all but feel the Gods cringe. But then she was shown a blank wooden door. She was well aware this wasn't a door on the Pegasus. It was a door she'd seen often in her dream state. Hoping when she opened it, she'd find a solution, she pushed the door open. All she saw on the other side was a dark abyss.

As she stood on the threshold, staring into the abyss, a thought occurred to her. Yes she'd seen the Colonists, Bill and Kara all die. But she'd also seen them all survive, to rejoin the Fleet. But what she hadn't seen was what allowed that to happen. That terrified her, because she didn't know what to do. She didn't even know if there was something she could do. Didn't know if she was meant to say something that would influence the rescue mission or not. All she could do is take comfort in the knowledge there was a possibility they could be saved.

She continued to stare into the darkness that lay on the other side of the threshold. She knew her answers to save Lee had to lie on the other side. But her mother's teaching was strong. She'd warned Tabby from the time she taught her to walk in the Nether Regions, never ever enter into the abyss. Anyone who enters will become lost. There is no up, no down. Distance means nothing in the abyss. Time means nothing in the abyss. The abyss is filled with those lost souls that never could find their way to the other side. Only pain lies in the abyss.

Taking a deep breath and mustering up all her courage, she forced herself to cross the threshold. The moment she did, she felt like her body was falling thru space. As she fell, she was able to see flashes of Lee. She was relieved to see he had survived. He looked whole, though in several flashes his eyes mirrored a deep pain. In others she saw herself kneeling in the Pegasus' Mission ready room. While falling thru the darkness she felt herself being beaten from every side, but was unable to see anyone attacking her.

Just when she was sure she could take no more, she once again felt the searing pain rip thru her abdomen. The pain was so overwhelming it snatched her from the depths of her dream state. Somehow thru all her dreaming/visions she must have managed to not make a sound, because Lee never woke up. When she tried to ease herself out of bed, his already tight hold only tightened more. Tabby realized she'd not be able to leave without waking him. She decided to stay right where she was. It wasn't a bad place to be, she thought after a few moments. There were certainly much worse places to be than being held by the man you loved.

Being in Lee's embrace made her feel secure, safe and grounded in this plane. It didn't take too long before she found herself once more in dreamland. But thankfully the visions of Lee's and Bill's choices didn't make a second appearance. Finally her slumber was peaceful.

oooooooooooooo

What Tabby didn't know was that Lee had yet to fall asleep. He'd come to bed well after Abby had. He'd been going over the plan his father had just finished ironing out. As a matter of fact, he'd only returned from the Galactica a little over an hour ago. He and his father had gone round and round about letting the Cylon prisoner, Sharon, become the focal point of their entire operation. His father had decided to send Sharon down to the surface in order for her to retrieve the Colonial ships' launch keys.

After a heated discussion, the Admiral had told Lee he'd come to another decision. Lee and the Pegasus were to remain with the 2000 plus civilians that remained in the Fleet. If the Galactica didn't return to the rendezvous point, Lee was to use the Pegasus and find Earth. As much as Lee didn't like the idea of leaving his father, he understood the importance of protecting the remainder of humanity.

Ooooooooooooooooo

Back on the Galactica …

"I can do this Sir. I know I can." came Sharon's confident voice.

"I know you can Lieutenant." came the Admiral's gruff voiced response.

"Sir, may I ask you a question?" when Sharon received the Admiral's nod, she continued. "How do you know you can trust me? I mean, I'm a Cylon. How do you know I won't betray you to those down on the surface?"

"I don't." when Bill saw the confused look flood Sharon's face, he added. "That's what trust is." This he emphasized by placing his hand on her shoulder and giving her a gentle squeeze.

"Right Sir. I won't let you down."

"I trust you won't."

With those final words, Adama watched the ground assault team load into the Raptor. This time he decided to be in the Flight Control room with Captain Kelly, as the Raptor departed from the Galactica. He couldn't help feeling a fatherly pride at seeing Sharon pilot the Raptor out into space.

Much like Boomer, Bill found he really cared for this Sharon. But unlike Boomer, this past year, he'd grown very close to this Sharon. As much as she was an exact physical copy, Bill couldn't help but see the differences in their personalities. This Sharon carried herself with far more confidence and self assurance. This Sharon seem much more mature. She also seemed a lot stronger.

Knowing the hours ahead would be filled with the heavy load of preparing for the upcoming rescue mission, Bill decided it was time to return to the CIC. There was still much to be done. He only hoped they would be ready by the time Sharon got word back to them about the launch keys.

Oooooooooooooooooo

Down on the surface Sharon was met at the designated rendezvous point by Sam Anders and his team.

"Go Panthers" came Sharon's voice, hidden in the tree line.

"C-Bucks rule." came Sam's response.

When the two of them emerged from hiding, they met each other in an awkward embrace.

"It's been a long time Sam." Sharon said as she held him tight.

"Funny, it seems as if I see you every day." was Sam's awkward response. But he never the less held Sharon tight in relief.

Shortly after the two rejoined the team Sam had brought with him, they were attacked. When Sam made the call to retreat, it was Sharon who stayed his hand. Sam was looking at her with worry and question when the Centurians were hit with heavy arms fire. Sam was glad to realize Sharon had not come down to the surface alone. Not long after the area was secured, the group of marines that had come with Sharon made their way out of the tree line. Happy greetings were exchanged between the marines and the Resistance. Then Sam informed the group they needed to wait until nightfall before returning to town.

Ooooooooooooooooo

De Anna had just stepped out of the tent of the oracle. She felt disoriented after hearing the strange woman's words. If she were to believe what the oracle had told her, Hera was still alive. But how? They'd all heard the premature infant was dead. They'd all known the baby had been cremated and her ashes released into space. When they'd learned this, it felt like a crushing blow to all the Cylons. Well all of them except Cavil of course. He'd always made it clear he thought the child was an abomination.

Walking thru the main street, she began to look around. What she noticed were several women carrying small infants. A thought began to take shape. Had Roslin foreseen the importance of this child, not only to the Cylons but to the humans as well? Had she decided not to kill the child after all, which is what all the Cylons believed she had done, but to give the baby to another human mother? Was it really possible for Hera to be still alive?

As she pondered this, she saw Doc Cottle emerge from his medical tent. He had blood splattered down the front of his surgical smock. When she glanced back inside the tent, thru the opened flap, she could see a man writhing on the table.

Cottle noticed the Three as soon as he'd exited the tent. He was curious as to why she was roaming about at such a late hour. "Can't sleep?" he asked in his professional voice.

"No. Strange dreams." she responded, as she looked up from petting the dog, Jake.

That got his attention. "Dreams? I didn't know your kind was capable of dreams."

"Sure we are Doc. All of God's creatures dream, you know." she said with an indulgent smile on her lips. Cottle only managed to nod, not quite sure how to respond to that particular tidbit of information.

"So Doc., is that human or Cylon blood?" she asked, her mind still churning with the possibility that Hera could still exist.

"Cylon. A number four. He was ambushed just outside of town." came Cottles gruff response.

"Really. You could have just let him suffer you know." it was a rhetorical question.

"That's not what I do." Cottle said as he lit up one of his ever present cigarettes.

Things were beginning to fall into place in De Anna's thoughts. She stepped closer to Cottle and ran a finger thru the blood spattered across his surgical smock. "You know Doc., all this stuff looks the same to me." After a slight pause she began to speak once again. "You know something has been bothering me. How is it that you cremated the only human/Cylon in existence? Why didn't you save the baby's remains and do a full autopsy? You know, study it?"

Cottle definitely began to look uncomfortable with her questions, but he responded non the less. " I was just following the President's orders, is all."

De Anna gave the Doc a shrewd look before responding. "Exactly. You were following orders." and with that, De Anna walked away from the uncomfortable doctor.

Oooooooooooooooo

Sam had just informed the Colonel that his wife, Ellen, had betrayed them to the Cylons. Ellen was a collaborator in a time of war. His proof was the map that Ellen was supposed to have put into the burn barrel. It was found on one of the dead Skin Jobs at the ambush.

"Colonel. You know what has to be done. If, Gods forbid, the ambush had been a success; we'd not only have lost our only hope for retrieving those launch keys - but the Cylons would be aware we were in direct contact with the Galactica! Now if you can't do this, I will understand. But you know either way it will be done. It would be better for her, if it was you who did it."

Tigh was in shock at the implications. He knew that collaborating with the enemy, in a time of war, was punishable by death. The words Ellen had said in her defense were still ringing in his ears. 'Saul I did it for you! I did it to save you!' Over and over her words kept repeating themselves thru his overloaded mind. Taking a quick glance at Ellen standing at the far wall, he could already feel his heart break.

Sam was right of course. She had betrayed them all in her efforts to spare him. The implications from Sam also bombarded his already overloaded thought process. If the Cylons had intercepted this particular meeting, they'd have shown no mercy. They'd have started to systematically slaughter the civilians here on the surface. Or worse, taken away any chance of hope and nuked the site from orbit.

With a heavy heart, Tigh looked Sam in the eye. "I know. I know what has to be done and I'll take care of it." Sam gave the Colonel a curt nod of acceptance and walked away. He had to meet with Laura Roslin in another bunker.

Tigh grabbed a mug and poured something into it. He tried to shut off his emotions, but it just didn't seem to work. Like a man walking to his own execution, he approached Ellen. He indicated for her to sit on a cot and took a seat next to her. As hard as he tried to shut out what was happening, he was unable to do so. He sat next to her and listened to her heartfelt admission. He listened to her as she told him all she'd been thru to spare him. He listened to her admit she'd do it all again, do anything, frak anything, if it meant sparing him.

Finally she seemed to have said all she needed to say. When she noticed the mug in Saul's hand, she told him she was thirsty. As if in a trance, Saul watched her take the mug of liquid from his numb hand. He watched her raise it to her lips and take a long pull from the mug. Then he saw her begin to droop.

"I love you Saul. You've always been there for me. You've always protected me. I had to do it Saul. I had to protect you. . . . I love you." came her tired voice.

"I know, I know. It's going to be alright now." Saul managed to squeeze out past the pyramid ball size lump in his throat.

"I'm so tired Saul."

"Rest now. You just go ahead and rest. I'm right here. . . . I love you." Saul said in a quiet, strangled voice. Then Ellen was gone. She'd crossed over. Gently he laid her down on the cot and looked at her. The sounds now coming from his mouth sounded more like a wounded animal than anything human.

As he wept over his dead wife, Sam stood just out of sight. It brought him no pleasure. He just had to be sure the Colonel would follow thru with what needed to be done. Hearing the wounded sounds now escaping the man still inside, Sam was sure the deed was finished. Quietly he left the tunnel, to meet with Roslin.

Ooooooooooooooooo

Lee had just left the Galactica for the second time in the last 12 hours. This time he left with the jump co-ordinances for the rendezvous point and the orders to wait there for 18 hours.

"You'll be there in 18 hours, right Dad?" Lee said, trying to hide his growing anxiety.

"I'll be there. I'm getting old so I may be a little slow, but I'll be there." came the Admiral's gruff voice. This was as hard on him as it was clearly hard on Lee. The Admiral was not a fool. He was well aware this may be the Galactica's last mission.

Their last report showed there were only two Baseships in orbit above New Caprica. But it wouldn't take them long to call in reinforcements. All he could hope for is the element of surprise. He needed to hold off the Cylons long enough for the ships on the ground to jump to safety. Then, Gods willing, the Galactica would also be able to jump away. It was a risky plan, but it was the best anyone could come up with. He just hoped it worked.

Lee moved in as if to hug his father good-bye.

"No Lee. Don't make me cry on my own hanger deck." Adama quickly stated. So instead of the hug both men wanted, they settled for a firm handshake instead. As Lee was boarding his waiting Raptor, Adama called out. "Commander of the Pegasus, departing."

Lee turned to see his father and those around give him a salute. With as much dignity as he could manage, Lee returned the honor then entered the Raptor. This was the hardest thing Lee had ever had to do. In his mind he was sure he'd never see his father again. He'd never see any of the Galactica's crew again. In his mind the best case scenario was that the Galactica would fall. But by doing so some, hopefully most, of the Civilian ships would be able to jump to safety.

……………………….

When Lee was once again aboard the Pegasus, he made his way to the CIC. It was time to jump the Fleet. As soon as the Fleet's jump was complete, Lee ordered the mission clock to be set at 18 hours. The clock was now ticking.

Ooooooooooooooo

tbc