Chapter Twelve

She hadn't looked at him once. That was just fine with Lee. Or at least that's what he told himself. Jessica had kept her eyes focused on his father and President Rosilin when she had entered the conference room. One glance his way and she jolted like a startled rabbit and hadn't met his eyes since. She took the seat next to the empty one on his side so she could focus her attention across to Commander Adama. Most people were scared to death of his father. Not Jess. She apparently was more terrified of Lee than the commander. The thought made him feel like laughing and annoyed him at the same time.

"Colonel Tigh and Dr Baltar will be joining us shortly. I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you, Ms Talbot for agreeing to help us." Laura said.

"It was either that or you'd leave me on that floor right?" Jessica said leaning against the back of her chair. Lee turned to stare at her and William shook his head.

"That's not true."

"Right. You didn't see the damn star and figure you could use me." Jessica asked them. Lee stiffened in his chair. He did not like what the young woman was insinuating one bit. "Not that I'm not grateful and all but let's not pretend I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the fact that I'm a seer."

"Lee was the one who picked you up." William informed her.

"And just so you know, I had no idea what the star on your arm meant. I resent that you would think we only rescued you from the Cylons so we could trade on your abilities." Lee snapped curtly. Jessica had the grace to blush, ashamed. She turned to look at him and lifted her shoulder.

"I didn't know that. I apologize." He could have said he understood but Lee wasn't feeling particularyly magnanimous at the moment. His hands still throbbed like a bitch and it was all her fault...well, no. He admitted to himself. It was Morgan's fault but the result was still the same. Lee was in pain and cranky. He turned his focus back to Rosilin and his father.

"I imagine your nerves are still a bit raw after what you've been through." Laura offered sympathetically. She was good at that, Lee observed, putting everyone at ease. Diffusing potential difficult situations. And Ms Jessica Talbot was a difficult situation wrapped up in a pretty little package.

"There's something I wanted to bring up before Dr Baltar and Colonel Tigh arrived." Jessica offered. "Commander, I'm confused about something."

"Go ahead." William nodded.

"Do you believe that Earth exists? Cause I'm getting mixed signals. One moment I sensing that you do and then I feel like you don't." William cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"Ah...well." Again the commander cleared his throat and Laura came to his rescue.

"Well, For all we know, Earth is a myth. When the Cylons first attacked, the commander thought it would be best if the people had a goal. A focal point."

"So yes, I told them Earth existed, in reality, no. I don't believe it does. As President Rosilin explained. A myth."

"But it's not." Jessica said.

"Not what?" Laura asked.

"A myth. Earth is real." All three of them turned to stare at her. Lee remembered very clearly the day he found out that his father had sold them all a line of bull. He thought his father had done all he could to dissapoint Lee but Lee had reached a new level of pissed that day. But, like always, He and his father had put aside personal feelings in order to be able to work together and after a while, Lee's anger had abated but now here was this damn woman bringing up all Lee's old irritation. He was certain it would be this girl who'd give him his first grey hair. No doubt.

"No, it isn't." Lee insisted. "Believe me, we all thought it was for a while." Here he stopped to give his father a meaningful glare. "Whatever they told you-"

"Captain, I know Earth is real because that's where my mother came from." Lee was sure he looked like a gaping fish with his mouth dropping open like that, but on the list of things one doesn't expect to come out of a person's mouth, claiming to be a descendant of earth was definitely up there.

"Miss Talbot, really. I think your still under a fair amount of stress-" William protested.

"Commander Adama, I know this sounds bizarre."

"Well, that's good cause it sounds like you believe what your saying." Lee said.

"It's the truth, Captain Adama." Jessica said, her obvious irritation making her forget that minutes ago she couldn't even meet his gaze. The thought made him almost smile. "Not only does Earth exist, but I know where it is." Jessica said narrowing her eyes at him. Lee raised his eyes to the ceiling asking the lords for patience.

"Care to draw us a map?" Lee cracked. Here she hesitated. Ha, Got ya, ya little fraud.

"I'm not lying!" Jessica burst.

"Miss Talbot you made a statement about your mother, care to elaborate?" Laura asked.

Jessica's cheeks were flushed with anger and she sent Lee a scathing glance then deliberately turned away from him and focused back across the table.

"My mother told me that...well...that she travelled here from earth when she was pregnant with me." At least the grimace on her face relieved Lee with the assurance that she realized how insane her story sounded.

"The legend has Earth being destroyed centuries ago. Is it possible that your mother was confused because of what she was experiencing while you were being held captive?" Laura asked her softly. Jessica closed her eyes and appeared to be thinking very hard.

"I...I don't think so...I'm sure she told me this before...I think..." Jessica said.

"Well, I guess that settles it doesn't it? Your mother was obviously not in her right mind towards the end and got her myths mixed up with reality." Lee explained.

"That's not true!" Jessica cried standing.

"It's alright, Jess." Laura offered.

"No. I know what my mother told me...it's only that it's a bit jumbled in my head right now. But I do know that she told me Earth does exist!"

"Right, Then where is it?" Lee countered getting to his feet as well. They were interrupted by Colonel Tigh and Dr Baltar entering the room. If pretty little psychic chick was angry before, she went positively pale now.

"Welcome Colonel, Dr Baltar. This is Jessica Tal- Ms Talbot, are you alright?" Laura asked. Lee stepped closer to Jessica, afraid she was gonna pass out again.

"You..." Jessica murmured staring at Dr Baltar. Lee looked at Gaius Baltar but saw no recognition on his face. Just growing discomfort. "It was you...all of it...because of you..." Lee could see her visibly shaking and she was clutching on to the back of her chair so tightly her slim knuckles were white.

"I'm sorry. Have we met?" Gaius asked.

"Jess, what is it?" Lee asked, tentatively placing a hand on her shoulder. He never saw her reach behind her to pull his gun from his pants and had the gun pointed at Dr Gaius Baltar. A damning split second before Lee went into action, Jessica fired.