Kara stared down at the papers in front of her. It had taken a lot of work to get herself on board Colonial One and to get this documentation into her hands. For starters, she had to convince Racetrack to fly her off of Galactica without letting the CAG know. That had been a chore and a half. Thank gods the old sources of blackmail hadn't been destroyed during her absence.

She moved the pen forward to sign her name when her hand spasmed. Gasping, she let go of the pen and immediately started rubbing her fingers. The old injury her mother had inflicted upon her hadn't acted up in over three months. She had no idea why it was doing so now.

Biting down on her lip, Kara tried to ignore the pain as she picked the pen up once more.

"I would think about what you're doing before you sign that, Lieutenant."

Kara turned to look at where the President stood beside her. "I thought you were on a presidential visit to Cloud 9, sir."

"It was canceled earlier today because of the resolution of the Aerilon Sacrifice crisis. I thought it wise to stay where I could be constant contact with the Commander should he need me."

"Very smart of you." Kara hardened her jaw and gave the President a large smile. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to-"

"Make a big mistake," Roslin said, pulling the paper out of Kara's hand. "Signing over the rights to the children you've created in the repopulation program. That is a mighty big step considering Captain Apollo was one of the enthusiastic would-be fathers I have ever seen in my life. And enthusiasm like that only comes from the notion that the woman you love is going to raise the child alongside you."

"Permission to speak off record, sir?"

"Permission granted, Lieutenant."

"You have no idea what the frak you're talking about."

Roslin took a deep breath and sighed. "I see. Well, maybe you could enlighten me."

"I am not fit to be a mother, Madam President. It's just not in the cards for me. I spent months trying to forget that, but it just won't work. So I'm doing the only rational thing and stopping this mess before it can start."

Kara did her best to look the President in the eye as Laura Roslin weighed her words. She silently prayed that the President would not press her for more details. She neither wanted to get into details about why she was not fit to be a mother nor did she want to have to admit to the real reasons she wanted to sign the paper in front of her.

Lee Adama was the type of man who desperately wanted children. He was that guy you knew who when you saw him for the first time the only thing that came to mind was perfection. But then you saw him with a child in his arms and you knew you were witnessing heaven on earth. Being a father came almost as natural to Lee as his insane duty and commitment to loyalty.

Ironically, his loyalty would be the thing to deny him the chance of any children. He loved Kara, and no matter what happened, he would not leave her. If he ever found out what the Cylons had done to her, he would simply tell her it didn't matter.

It would be a lie.

It mattered. He wanted children more than anything in the world.

And by loving him and being herself, she had taken that away.

Leaving the only chance he had at being a father with the babies already created.

"There is more to this than you are telling me, Lieutenant." Roslin held her gaze for a moment longer before placing the paper back onto the table. "But I will not stand in your way."

"Thank you, sir."

"I just want to remind you that signing that paper instates a change that you cannot turn back. Once the mother has given up rights to her children, she cannot get them back unless the father grants her access." Roslin let out a small laugh as she shook her head.

"Is there something you find funny about this?" Kara asked.

"This whole conversation is rather humorous when you take into consideration the man we are speaking of. Lee Adama is the last person in the Fleet who would deny you access to your children, Kara. He would do everything in his power to make sure you were a part of their life."

"Maybe I don't want to be a part of their life."

"He will be crushed to hear that." Roslin picked up the pen off the desk and handed it to Kara. "But again, the decision is yours."

Kara watched Roslin make her way out of the conference room, presumably returning to her presidential duties. She thought that the conversation was over until Roslin leaned back in through the open doorway.

"I hope you know that he won't let you go that easily, Lieutenant," she said before disappearing for good.

Kara stared at the empty doorway and let out a deep breath. "That's what I'm afraid of."

Hoping the President didn't mind having one of the repopulation contracts a little soiled with tears, she leaned in and signed her name on the document.