Codename: Life Station

Call sign: Moggie

Summary: William Adama & Laura Roslin Short story with no real plot. Something about change and trust, a heart and a President.

Rating: Pg13 / T / Genre: Drama & Romance / Pairing: Commander Adama & President Laura Roslin / Disclaimer: I do not own Battlestar Galactica. / Notes: This is my first attempt at BSG, so forgive the errors. I was also basically sleeping whilst writing this, so I'll correct mistakes when I read it again. lol. Thank you to DeeRich for looking these chapters over.

Chapter Four - Galactica #2

"I told you then, and I'm telling you now." Doctor Cottle puffed out a large cloud of smoke from the cigarette perched between his lips. "With the stunt you pulled after surgery, I'm surprised you didn't rupture all my handy work. Now, with the stunt you pulled the other day, that's why you are having trouble breathing."

Adama sighed and brought his hand up to his face, slowly rubbing his forehead.

"I can't keep patching you together, so you need to take it easy. I know the stress you're under right now isn't helping-"

"There's a war on Major." Adama murmured unnecessarily.

Cottle continued without pause. "and to completely heal, you need a day or two to rest."

"Not possible." Adama lowered his hand slowly, his eyes fixed on the doctors face. "Not while we have Cylon Raiders jumping within range and targeting the fleet."

"Then you're going to be back in here everyday until you can't stand anymore." Doctor Cottle said firmly.

Adama scowled at him.

"Doctor Cottle."

Cottle turned his head. "Madam President, you're up late."

Laura stepped into the room and walked towards the bed where Commander Adama was laying. "I forgot to ask you earlier, I need some more painkillers."

"Headache?" Adama asked, his voice was rough with exhaustion and pain.

"I wish." Laura smiled, watching the doctor leave the room. When he left, she turned to face the foot of the bed. "Sleeping on the job Commander?"

Adama smirked. "No Ma'am."

"So?" She put her hand on the bed's foot bar, sliding it along as she walked around the bed. Her hand slipped off the bar and onto the blanket.

"It's nothing serious." He informed her.

Laura looked at him, her eyes moving over him. He was in his uniform, his jacket unbuttoned and open, his glasses folded on the table beside the bed, which left his hands folded over his stomach. "Nothing serious, coming from you," she raised her eyebrows at him. "is usually something really serious."

Adama sighed, his head turning slightly towards her. "Are you going to make me to take a few days off, Madam President?"

"Well," Laura said lightly, pulling a stool closer to the bed so she could sit. "I did hear a rumour, not so long ago, this evening actually," She smiled. "that your ship is fully capable of running without you. Now, if that rumour is to be believed, I'm sure you can assure me that a little rest wouldn't hurt."

Staring down at his hands, twisting his wedding ring, he nodded.

"If it will make you feel better, I'll make it an order." Laura smiled at him.

Adama's eyes searched hers for a quiet minute, then looked down at his feet. "With the Cylons sending out scouting parties every day, we might not get any rest."

She tilted her head, "Is that your way of saying, yes?"

"It's my way of saying, that I'm not the only one who could do with a day off." He looked back at her.

Laura nodded in understanding. "Understandable that 'rack time' is it?" she grinned when he chuckled. "Is little and far between."

"Funny, I thought my son was your military advisor." Adama gave her a coy look, teasing her, allowing professional stress to evaporate, and personal tension fill the air between them.

"I guess I still have a lot to learn, Commander Adama." They shared a brief laugh.

Adama took a deep breath and grimaced for his mistake. Doctor Cottle returned with two white bottles in time to catch the pain flash across the Commanders face. "Time to rest, Commander, that's an order."

"I've already been given resting orders, thank you Major." Adama retorted as he struggled to sit up. He swung his legs over the side, his feet settled on the floor when he slipped off the bed.

Laura stood at the same time and stepped back to give him some room.

Cottle held out both bottles to the President. "One for you, and one for him. Please order him to take them, I have more important places to be, like my rack. Good evening to you both, and good night."

Amused, Laura tucked the bottles into her red jacket pocket. "Looks to me as though you are out numbered."

"Out gunned more like." Adama grumbled, his fingers shaking as he attempted the buttons on his jacket, getting rather frustrated that he couldn't dress himself without pain shooting across his chest.

"Think of it as a reprieve from another argument with the President." Laura said softly as she stepped closer and began buttoning his jacket. "Why all the buttons? It's such a lot of fuss over a uniform."

Adama's shoulders went up and then down as he breathed a more comfortable lungful. "Looking the part is half the job."

She smiled. "They are rather dashing."

Chuckling, he reached up and covered her hands as she struggled with the top button just below his chin. "They itch." He deadpanned.

Laura laughed, leaning forward. Adama smiled at her, he held her hands against his chest and watched her as she laughed heartily. She squeezed his fingers tightly as her body swayed with the happiness that filled her from their easy banter. Her fingers felt the warm metal of his wedding ring and absently brushed her thumb over it.

Adama's blue eyes captured brown when she opened them. Smiling at each other, they stared into each others eyes. It seemed so easy for a moment, but both knew the personal complications that could unfold. With the three months that had passed, and the loss they had encountered, it was only a matter of time before they leaned on each other.

"Bill," Laura's lips parted slightly into a warm smile just before his head tilted forward.

To Be continued