Title: Doubting Faith

Author: Sentra Aquila

Rating: PG

Spoilers: Episode 2x04 - The Resistence

Pairings: Laura, Kara/Lee

Summary: "As long as Lee has faith, so will she."

AN: A ficlet resulting from insomnia, too much wine, and "Faith and Despondency" by Emily Bronte.

Laura hears him sometimes.

When he mumbles in his sleep, her name tumbles from his lips. Like a mantra, like a prayer. Yes, a prayer to some deity other than herself.

Kara.

She knows that Lee is not a religious man. He does not believe in her prophetic powers or the cycle of time. Yet, he has faith in Kara.

She wishes she could say the same.

On their transit from Cloud Nine to the Geminon Liner, Tom Zarek inquires about the Arrow of Apollo and its recapture.

Instinctively, she can feel Lee's jaw stiffen, his gaze grow colder.

In this moment, she wonders if her protector will become her executioner. But if politics has taught her anything, it is to be diplomatic and exude confidence.

"Lieutenant Thrace will retrieve the arrow and return to us soon."

Her facade proves viable and both Lee and Zarek seem content with her answer.

But will she ever be?

From the porthole of her compartment, Laura can see the endlessness of the stars, so vast that the sunbursts eventually surrender to the black.

In a nearby bunk, Lee stirs in his slumber. His words are broken, like pilot chatter over communication waves in space.

"Incoming raiders...Reverse thrusters...Starbuck...Your frakking stunts..."

She turns to stare at him. His appearance has grown weary and worn over two months time, but his heart and his mind remain untouched, relying on the deceptive belief that Lt. Thrace will pull a Starbuck and find her way home in spite of the miles logged since their departure.

Miles and miles of uncharted space. Miles and miles from Kobol. Miles and miles to go.

Returning to the original point of fixture, Laura wonders if Kara Thrace has dodged the Cylons' clutches and acquired her prize.

Has she flown back to Kobol? Has she seen the emptiness of space?

Does she know she's been abandoned?

Times tells her yes, but the sleeping figure cares to disagree.

As long as there is a chance, though be it small, that Laura Roslin will soon be able to emerge from hiding, reclaim the presidency, and return to the birthplace of the gods, he will believe.

As long as Lee has faith, so will she.