Chapter 20

He'd been right of course, Jessica mused. The kiss had been a big mistake. Huge. But Gods how she hadn't wanted it to end. The taste of his mouth had been like a drug shooting through her veins. Stronger. And she'd felt his hunger. Felt the pulsing beats of his heart settling and thrumming between his legs until she was rubbing up against him like a cat in heat. It had never felt like that. Ever. Not even with James. While she had enjoyed kissing James, she'd never been able to feel what it did to him. She felt every one of Lee Adama's nerve endings melding with her own when their mouths met and felt every jump and push in his senses with every sweep of her tongue along his. It had almost been too much to bear. Feeling what he'd felt along with her own spinning senses, but Gods she'd wanted more. So did he, Jessica knew. He'd have taken her right there if it hadn't been for the fear claiming him. The man was afraid of her. Afraid of the claim she seemed to have on his control.

"Well honey, the feeling is very mutual." Jessica insisted breathlessly to the empty room. She poured herself a glass of water to try and wash the memory of Lee Adama from her mouth but instead decided the water would be put to better use to cool her burning skin. Jessica pulled on the collar of her sweatshirt and dumped the cool water down her chest. "Gods." She sighed as her heart rate slowed, thankfully. She leaned against her bed and let the water do its work. A knock on the door startled her and for one annoying second Jessica was wishing it was Lee, coming to finish what he'd started. She was torn between disappointment and gratitude when the guard let William Adama in.

"Nice to know I'll be allowed visitors." Jessica said when the guard closed the door behind the commander. He knew. Jessica sensed. He hadn't seen them but he'd heard her last comment to Lee and knew he had kissed her. "Lovely, you're here to lecture me. Relax, Commander. I have no intention of making nice with your son again. The man has the sensitivity of a goat."

"I'm glad to hear that. Your focus needs to be on finding the Cylons in the fleet." He reminded her as he leaned against the wall and stared down at her as she sat on the bed.

"And it will be."

"Though I would like some explanation for that outburst in the CIC." He said. Jessica grimaced.

"Do I have to?" She asked. His firm expression told her that indeed she did. " I don't suppose you'd believe me if I blamed the pills?"

"The pills may have made you lose your mind back there but your statement was made from a very angry truthful place." Jessica sighed and buried her head in her hands.

"I don't know where that came from. It's a sense I had. Things I saw. It's tangled up in what I was told about Earth." Jessica explained. She stopped him before William interrupted her. "I know you think Earth doesn't exist. I'm telling you, it does. My mother, Megan Talbot traveled from Earth to the future in Caprica."

"Has it occurred to you that what your mother suffered at the hands of the Cylons may have addled her mind?" William asked her sympathetically. Jessica shook her head.

"I don't have a clear picture of it in my head but I'm certain she told me this before the Cylons attacked us. And I dreamt of my father. My real father. He told me that I would have to lead my daughter and the rest of you to Earth. There's gonna be another war when we find Earth and my daughter is gonna help defeat the Cylons."

William sighed and Jessica knew that he thought she was suffering from mere delusions of grandeur. "Believe me, Commander. I hope to hell I'm wrong about this. I hope that I'm not leading you all into another war and that I won't be shackled to an emotional frak-wit like your son-oh!" Jessica clamped her hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that out loud." William shook his head.

"No need to apologize. So I'm guessing that's where Lee fits into the equation. He's the father of this daughter of yours?"

"My mother told me the things I saw weren't set in stone. I still have my free will to make choices that could change things. Trust me, I intend to." Jessica nodded resolutely. "I'll try and remember what my mother told me and lead you to Earth, wherever the frak it is. As for the rest. I have no intention of getting romantically involved with anyone around here, least of all your son who I'd just like to state for the record, kissed me first." Jessica blurted.

"Not that it's any of my business, but I think that's best." William said with a nod. Then he extended his hand to her and Jessica took it.

"So am I on bread and water or can I actually get some real food to eat?" Jessica asked.

"Well, depends on what you considered real food but I'll have the guard bring you something. Afterwards, try and get some rest. And I'll tell you what I told Lee. About the Olympic Carrier. You did what you had to do. There's no place for guilt when people's lives are a stake. You'll have a long day tomorrow."

"Baltar?" Jessica asked with a scowl.

"That's right." William turned and knocked for the guard to open the door.

"You know, Commander. A just man would see my working with Baltar as punishment enough for my crime." Jessica pointed out.

"I'm not known for my fairness. Ask the goat." William tossed back and Jessica felt him fighting a smile as he walked out.

Jessica flopped down on her bed and stared up at the grey rusted steel of the ceiling above her. Then she turned and caught sight of the water jug on the table. Yes, she had the power of choice. And if she chose to keep the memory of Lee Adama's kiss in her mouth a little longer, who was to know? It'd be the only one she was going to allow herself. Might as well enjoy it, Jessica thought with a wicked grin. She was grateful that the stifling guilt inside of her had eased a small bit and she had Lee Adama to thank for that too. He may be a goat of a man but he'd saved her life and kissed like a dream. Ah well, no man was perfect. And it wasn't like she was interested. She had no intention of going down that road again, regardless of any premonitions. Lee Adama was not an option. Case closed. Jessica felt strengthened by her ability to make that resolution. That was one thing she could control.

So here she was. Once again a prisoner and yet for the first time in over two years, Jessica felt like this old rusted clunker of tin could one day be home.

The End

A.N: Well that's it for this one. I hope you all enjoyed this and that you'll all follow me into the next Lee and Jessica episode. "Breathe" Coming soon.

Sweet A.K: Daddy issues indeed! (laughs) Lee could write a book. Yep, the commander is gonna become more and more protective of Jess as the story goes on. And you're right, THANK GOD for Kara! The two women are gonna be very good for each other. Thank you so much for your feedback always and I hope you enjoy the next episode just as much. Things are gonna get pretty crazy and intense and of course romantic with our Lee and Jess, despite they're best efforts! (laughs)