Title: Goodbye is the Saddest Word
Author: GEM
Feedback: Please send it good or bad written: 5/27/05
Rated: T
Word count:
Story Timeline: Pre- Mini
Category: Drama/Angst
Focus: The Adamas and Kara with some minor OFC's
Warnings: Character Death
Summary: We all react differently to the death of loved ones.
Spoiler: Slight Mini and Act of Contrition
Chapter 3: I Bleed
When Dee first read the message she didn't believe it. She walked from her station to the center Dradis Console were Colonel Tigh stood.
"Excuse me, sir this message has just come in from headquarters. I think you should look at it Sir. "
He took the message from Dee. 'Oh, gods' he thought "Alright, Petty officer I need to see Lieutenant Myers and tell Commander Adama I need to see him.
Dee saluted "Yes Sir." She left and went to send the page to Lieutenant Myers. " Pass the word to Lieutenant Myers. Lieutenant Myers. Please report to CIC."
----
The CAG has this one boys and girls. This games to rich for my blood. I'm out. Lauren Myers declared as she folded her Cards. The card players all started to comment by were cut off by a ship wide announcement. " Pass the word, Lieutenant Myers. Please report to CIC."
Geata looked across the table to the brown haired brown eyes pilot "What did you do this time?"
"Hey. That's not fair and you know I'm a by the book girl."
"Yeah, a by the book girl dating the CO's son. Carrot stated.
"That's not against the regs." The CAG said simply "If your name is pulled from my flight line there will be hell to pay. Do you understand Wildcard?" Ripper added.
She stood up Saluted the CAG, and straightened her uniform "Yes, Sir. Enjoy the rest of the game." She said with a half smile and laugh. "I better go up and see what they need."
---
When She got to CIC she went over to the XO and saluted "Reporting as ordered, Sir."
"Lieutenant, you are friendly with the Adamas are you not?"
"Yes, Sir. They are like family." She smiled Tigh knew that Bill was Lauren's Godsfather, but it was not something widely known to the crew. He also knew that she was dating Lee.
Tigh's façade was beginning crack but only to the trained eye. "Wildcard, you need to read this."
He handed her print out they had just gotten. She began to read; "We regret to inform you…" the tears were welling up in her eyes. She wiped them away before they began to fall. She would not cry, not here, not now. She looked up at the colonel. The ordinarily stiff Son of Bitch was emotional as well.
"Does he know yet?" Lauren asked her voice barely a whisper.
"No, I still have to… Wildcard there is no doubt that you will also be on leave for the funeral. He' s going to need a pilot are you up to it?"
"Yes, Sir. I am." She replied with a stronger voice military training taking over. "It's the least I can do. Zac would want me to." Tigh nodded in acknowledgement.
----
They walked down the corridor neither of them saying a word. Lauren still couldn't believe what they were about to do. She couldn't believe he was gone. Poor Lee and what of Aunt Caroline, hopeful someone was taking care of her; this would certainly destroy her.
Once outside of the Commander's quarters Tigh knocked on the door Lauren let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She had to keep herself in check. She couldn't lose it yet. The door open "Colonel, Lieutenant, to what do I owe the honor?"
"Bill may we come in?" the informality of his XO and the speechlessness his godsdaughter didn't go unnoticed. "Of course." He walked back to the office area of his quarter and the two officers followed. They all took a seat and Adama turned his attention to Wildcard. Lauren, what's the matter?" Lauren tried to speak but couldn't her eyes were focused on a picture on the Commander's desk. It was one of Zac and Lee. Lauren looked helplessly to Tigh.
"Perhaps, I should… We just receive a message from fleet headquarters Bill. I'm not sure how to… tell…"
Lauren looked up at the Commander and blurted it out "Zac is dead He died during mission training this morning."
Bill felt as he had just been shot. The air was knocked out of him. Saul put a calming hand on his shoulder. "Let me see the paper, please." Saul handed it to him.
He was shaking as he read it. It's not that he didn't believe Lauren. He just had to see it for himself. Lauren moved to sit next to him and put her arms around him. He was in a state that few people had ever seen him in, overcome with emotions. Lauren held him, the paper fell to the floor and at that moment she ceased to be a pilot under his command but a member of the family.
Once he calmed down and Lauren did the same Saul looked at him. "I don't know where to start. I'm truly sorry for your loss. I've arranged leave for you and a pilot he looked over at Lauren."
"I'll need to get your leave approved." He said as he slipped back into the role of a commander for a moment. "Caroline… oh gods…"
Lauren placed a hand over his. "I'm sure it's all taken Care of."
He squeezed her hand "I'll see you on the flight desk." She nodded and let go of his hand taking that as her signal to leave. She saluted them both and walked out.
----
Bill began to pace the room and retrieve items to pack. "Saul… my boy is…" He didn't have the strength to finish. He collapsed on his bunk. Tigh was concerned about him. "Caroline and Lee, I'll have to see…"
I cannot begin to imagine what it is your feeling but all of these things will work out. Right now you need to pack and get home." Saul placed a hand on his friend shoulder "If you need anything, anything at all, just let us know." Saul walked out and Bill remained on the bunk He put his head in his hands and continued to bleed.