Chapter Eight
Jessica knew she could stand outside Commander Adama's door all damn day and she'd never be certain she was making the right choice. You were never supposed to make life-altering decisions when you were drunk, drugged or sleepy and right now, her mind felt as if it were all three. Right or wrong, she knew what her decision was though. She just wasn't sure she had the courage to do it. No, not true. She knew she didn't. There was also the little voice in her head that whispered traitor. Wasn't that precisely what she'd be if she helped the people who had left them at the mercy of the Cylons? Then the white hot fury came that burst through her mixing with the mind numbing terror at the thought of going up against the Cylons. Only this time, she'd have the whole goddamn military behind her.
Before Jessica could think herself in circles, she forced herself to knock. She heard William Adam's gruff voice beckoning her inside.
Jessica clutched Elosha's book to her chest and stood against the wall while the commander poured her some coffee. Remembering the foul taste, Jessica simply held the cup in her hands.
"I'll do it." She said as William lifted his mug to his lips. He gave a short nod and took a long gulp. Jessica pursed her lips in annoyance. "You already knew I'd say yes."
"You're the seer, not me." William said with a warm glint in his brown eyes. "I know what a powerful motivator hate cane be and as much as you hate us, you hate the Cylons more."
"You're sure about that?" Jessica asked tartly. She was as unnerved as she imagined others were when she could see through them so easily. Commander Adama merely lifted an eyebrow. Jessica turned to glance around his room.
In the light of day it looked even smaller. One narrow bed. A fold up table he used as a desk. A small filing cabinet next to it. Between his door and the door to a narrow shower was a compact, three drawer dresser. Three framed photos were propped on top.
One photo was of Lieutenant Thrace, dressed in civilian clothes giving a salute with a thick cigar tucked playfully between her teeth. Another was of a blonde woman being squeezed between Lee Adama and a man Jessica hadn't met but knew was the late Zak Adama. Studying the woman, Jessica could see that Lee favored his mother more than his father in appearance. In temperament though...Jessica gave a suffering sigh, he was all Adama. Looking at the last photo, Jessica marveled at how the differences between the two brothers were evident even at this young age. Zak's grin was wide, cheeky, all teeth while Lee's smile was hesitant. His joy was all in his blue eyes, not on display. A younger William Adama stood behind the two boys, the proud father. "I'm sorry for your loss." Jessica said, her eyes burning with tears for the broken family.
"It doesn't get any easier. You just push it further back so you can function." William said behind her.
Jessica stared back at the blonde woman. "You never stopped loving her, even up to the day she died." Jessica bit her tongue, well aware of the ridiculously personal statement and yet unable to stop herself. William gave a bitter laugh and shook his head.
"I suppose we should all get used to you being in our heads."
Jessica lowered her head, embarrassed. "Dr Salik said she's gonna try some drugs that'll keep me from spewing everyone's business all over the Galactica."Jessica assured him, greatly impatient for that moment.
"That might not be the best thing. It might affect your ability to detect the Cylon plants." He leaned against his desk, mentally weighing the pro's and con's. "But we'd also have to worry about you blabbing that you're working as a detector."
"You're priestess said that might be able to help me train my mind to keep my mouth shut." Jessica shrugged.
"That could be a better alternative. We don't want drugs affecting your judgment. The fewer people who know about this, the better.
"I agree." Jessica nodded sitting on the bed.
"Outside of myself, Captain Apollo, Lieutenant Thrace and Dr Salik and President Rosilin, the only other people who will be aware of your purpose will be my XO Colonel Tigh and Dr Gaius Baltar."
"I haven't met them yet. Have I?" Jessica asked.
"No, you'll be working closely with Dr Baltar. He's our scientific expert on Cylons." Jessica grimaced in dismay.
"Scientists are not overly fond of me. Once they realize that they can't easily define how it is that I do...well, what I do, they convince themselves that I'm faking it somehow."
"Are you?" William asked. Jessica didn't even bat an eyelash at what should have been an insult.
"When you were ten years old you won a tap dancing competition. You keep the ribbon hidden in a secret slot in the box with your first wing pin." Jessica said with a smile at the commander's startled face.
"I didn't think you were faking." He assured her.
"I know you didn't."
"Your real function on the Galactica will remain confidential. For appearances sake I'll hire you on as my secretary. Can you type?" He asked trying not to laugh as her face fell.
"Your secretary? I'd rather eat dirt than work for you." She blurted then bit her tongue.
"Well, the lunch menu is pretty close. This is the best way for me to keep an eye on you."
"You believe me but you don't trust me." Jessica said stiffly.
"Trust is earned."
"That's right." She said pointedly. William smiled at her.
You may not like me, Ms Talbot but you do trust me, He thought, knowing full well that she'd be privy to the thought. Jessica narrowed her eyes at him.
"I can't type worth a damn." She said, putting down her cup and getting to her feet.
"You'll learn." He said curtly.
"Damn." Jessica sighed. He was right and he knew it. She did trust him and damn it all to hell if it wasn't outside of the realm of possibility that she may actually come to like him. "I think you're a pompous jackass."
"Get in line." He said, fighting a chuckle.
"Maybe you're a Cylon." Jessica crossed her arms over her chest.
"You'll get your own room." William informed her. Jessica's mouth broke into a wide grin.
