Spoilers: Black Market
Disclaimer: The characters belong to Ron Moore and Universal Studios. Not me.
A/N:A big shout out to Nathalie, the SC, for her zealous encouragement! And to Robin, who likes her L/L to be happy in Fanficland!
Corollary (Part Two)
By Socket
"The President's not happy," Adama told him, as if Lee didn't know how to read Laura. He knew every expression on her face, every intonation in her voice, every inch of her.
It grated him, because this time, his father was right. Roslin wasn't happy and Apollo knew he had contributed to that. The last time he and Laura had had a conversation with any substance was the night he showed up in her quarters and berated her. Since then, on the rare occasions they did meet, it was formal between them… even when they were alone they kept their discussions impersonal.
Well, he was about to change all that.
Lee reached the President's office, took a steadying breath and then knocked.
"Come in," Laura called.
Apollo entered.
Her eyes lifted from the file she was reading and settled on Lee; her manner hardened. "Captain Adama," she greeted coolly. "What can I do for you?"
"May I sit down?" he asked.
Laura leant back in her chair; fully aware that this was not an official visit. "Yes," she consented and removed her glasses, her full attention on him.
Lee sat opposite her. "We haven't seen much of each other lately," he began.
"I was under the impression that you had no wish to see me, outside of office hours," she replied.
Lee looked down at his hands. "I was angry with you, hurt… I disapproved of your decision about Cain, but that doesn't justify my behaviour towards you or some of the things I said," he glanced across the desk at her.
Roslin's eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Some of the things?" she took a pained breath. "I think that given your recent conduct, Captain Adama, your condemnation of my choices is rather incongruous. You of all people have no right to play the moral card."
Lee's eyebrows rose in surprise at her inference. He hadn't come here to renew the animosity between them. "Madame President -"
"Shevon, wasn't that the prostitutes name?" Laura said sharply, perhaps too sharply.
Apollo felt his blood run cold. He had hoped he could keep the President from finding out about that aspect of his life… he wasn't proud of it, but nor would he deny it. It was a part of him now; he understands the world better, because of it… the experience had taught him to forgive. It had brought him back to Laura.
The President shifted forward in her seat, her eyes searched his. "Whether I approve or disapprove of the choices you make is irrelevant - I understand what drove you to make them, Lee. What hurts is that when the tables were turned – you had no empathy for me. You tore into me without mercy and when I was dying…" her voice looses its strength and she struggled to regain control.
His heart swelled at seeing her so distressed and he wanted to apologise till he had no breath left, wanted to make amends so desperately.
"Billy was there, even your father held my hand, but where were you, Lee? Where was my champion when I needed him most? Where did you go?"
"I was scared to see you," Lee said meekly.
"Scared of what? It was me lying in the hospital bed!" Laura cried.
"I wanted to remember you as you were... and I was afraid, that you might not want me there – that if I showed up, you'd send me away."
She stared at him, genuinely hurt that he could ever think that she would turn him away. "I'd never do that, Captain... I trusted you," Laura said disappointedly. "More than anyone…"
Apollo looked away. "I did visit you... once," he whispered, barely audible.
Laura looked dazed. "What?"
He looked directly at her. "I heard your condition was critical, that you wouldn't survive the night… I had to see you one last time, so I went to the Life Station... I sat by your bed, held your hand and I… I told you I would never forgive myself for the way we parted."
Roslin softened as his words touched her. "I thought that you had let me go without saying goodbye," she said gently.
Lee shook his head. "No, Madame President, I would never have done that," he paused. "We won't always agree, we won't always be on the same team, but I will always hold you in high esteem, and I shall always love you."
Laura smiled in understanding. "And, whatever obstacles may come our way in the future, Captain Apollo, my feelings for you will never diminish."
Lee smiled; feeling released from the heavy cloud that had settled around his heart since their confrontation all those weeks ago.
They held each others gaze and then Lee stood up. "I should get back to Galactica," he declared.
Laura nodded and got to her feet. "Don't be a stranger," she said softly and held her hand out to him.
"I won't," he promised and took her hand.
Laura leaned across her desk and placed a tender kiss on Lee's cheek, then drew back. Their eyes locked.
"Take care, Ma'am," Lee said and exited her room.
Laura sat down at her desk and took a deep breath, then she picked up the file she had been reading before Apollo's arrival.
