9 Years Before the Fall
The men and women of the Battleship Valkyrie stood at attention while their stoic XO went from being Colonel Adama to Commander Adama. Executive officers of Battlestars were supposed to be tough and hard, but Adama had balanced the need to be a mean XO with his warm heart. It earned him the respect, loyalty, and devotion of the crew.
One man in the crowd remained aloof. No smile graced his old face in support for his XO; he didn't really do smiles. In fact, his tolerance for these silly rituals was nonexistent, and so his face remained impassive. He couldn't suppress his double take when a familiar face appeared in the crowd. Laura.
During the promotion ceremony, the unsmiling man snuck glances at Laura every few minutes. With how many times he glanced in her direction, it was inevitable that their eyes would meet. When their gazes locked, his heart stopped. He saw it; the flash of recognition in her eyes, and he realized that Laura had memories of another time too. Of a future that hadn't happened.
As the ceremony continued, he felt the back of his eyes warm when the realization hit him; Laura was here as Bill Adama's wife. They had found each other in the past. His throat choked with emotion at that. He'd witnessed their pain and heartbreak as she slipped away from cancer. He'd seen them love each other as her time drew to a close. He'd been overwhelmed at the grace she maintained in her passing.
The moment that pierced his icy heart the most came when he saw a little boy, who was unmistakably their son, reach up and grab Laura's hand. His eyes did fill with tears then, and he tilted his chin up unwilling to let them fall. That certainly wouldn't have helped the carefully crafted image he maintained. After the promotion ceremony he practically ran away; he damn well wasn't going to break down crying for the first time ever on this rickety barge in front of this half-witted crew.
Laura had caught the same flash of recognition in the man's eyes. Her joy conflicted with her fear. Neither she nor Bill had seen a single sign of their previous lives for years. Their family had lived in peace. Now she was afraid of who else might remember their other lives.
She sighed and thought back on their years of peace.
15 Years Before the Fall
On their first wedding anniversary Bill came home and surprised his wife by asking her out on a traditional date. She had laughed, realizing that they'd never gone on one before getting married.
He explained that on Tauron paper was the traditional gift for first anniversaries. She teased him about being the romantic one out of the two of them. She gasped in pleasure when he revealed they were going to an antique bookstore.
"I know you, Laura," he said, smirking at her delight.
"You really do, Bill."
Walking into the store, the first thing they noticed was the smell. The musty aroma of old books permeated the store; hints of vanilla and almond wove together. It was like an aphrodisiac for the mind. They had each taken a deep breath when they entered and smiled at each other.
"Guess you love the smell of old books too," he remarked.
"It comes from an organic compound in the pages of books which breaks down over time and releases the smell," Laura murmured, blushing when she realized how like a schoolteacher she sounded. She bit her lip. "It is good. Isn't it?"
He tilted her chin up, so she looked into his eyes. "Where would any of us be without teachers? I like that side of you," he assured her while staring into her eyes. He wanted her to know that he was telling the truth. He placed a chaste kiss on her lips before grabbing her hand to tug her along. Her heart warmed with affirmation at his assurance that he appreciated a vital part of who she was. She grinned; he hadn't appreciated her schoolteacher side when she ascended to the Presidency.
They tucked themselves into the mystery section of the store and began their mission. Somewhere in those shelves that held their favorite genre was a book waiting to be read by them. They were determined to find it and took turns reading the backs of the books; laughing together at some particularly bad blurbs. The one they decided to read together Laura ended up finding on the top shelf. She'd had to tell him the title several times to get his attention; her husband had gotten distracted staring at her lithe form while she stood on her tiptoes and stretched out to reach the book.
It had been so enjoyable that they both agreed to keep going on dates. It was wonderfully normal for them, and they felt peace at knowing they had adjusted to a quieter life.
…
14 Years Before the Fall
Saul Tigh hopped out of his viper after shoving the post-flight checklist into the waiting NCO's hands. He unzipped his flight suit with a groan, glowering at the deckhands who walked too close. Most of the deckhands knew to steer clear of viper jocks who'd just pulled a double CAP shift.
"Twelve frakkin' hours in that seat," Saul muttered to his friend who fell in step with him as they both headed to the showers. He clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes at the various deckhands who happened to look his way.
"Wasn't too bad," Bill shrugged with a grin.
"Not too bad? Are you out of your Gods damn mind?" Saul growled but noticed his friend's good mood. "Ohhhhh, you are out of your mind. You can't think of anything but getting home to see your girl today," Saul taunted, rolling his eyes as Bill's grin widened but reticent man refused to reply.
"Lucky bastard," Saul muttered. He'd met Laura a handful of times but didn't much care for her. She was too polished and polite. He wondered how the hell his best friend had managed to score himself an actual lady. They moved through the corridors, and Saul couldn't resist needling his friend.
"Your wife gonna be excited to see you?" he probed, and Bill could hear the unasked questions in Saul's voice. He thought back to all the times he'd come home; Laura always spent his first night back writhing underneath him.
"She's always excited," Bill assured his friend as they reached the showers. He'd discovered that it was nice to be married and come home to a loving and insatiable redheaded wife.
His devotion to the military had once overshadowed his private life. He'd been able to claim the respect of those who served with him, but his real family had never been a priority. It was a bitter regret that now ebbed away as he tried to be a husband and father. He wasn't going to settle for anything less than giving his children and Laura the priority they deserved. So far, he had no complaints.
They'd settled into their quieter life and made it their own.
…
13 Years Before the Fall
She ran her hands over the grooves that made the letters of each name engraved on the marble. Sandra Roslin, Cheryl Roslin, Judith Roslin, Edward Roslin.
"I miss you, so, so, so much," she whispered to the graves. Fresh flowers rested against each of the headstones. She had loved her family wholeheartedly, and it had broken her in many ways to lose them. All the times she'd needed advice from her parents or wanted a sister to talk to - Laura went through those moments alone. No one could fill the hole that their absence had left; her heart would always hold their empty places as sacred.
Bill stood behind her, supporting his wife as best he could. It had taken her years to tell him about the drunk driver who'd killed her family. He wrapped his arms around her when she stood, and he noticed her body shaking and the tears running down her cheeks. She leaned heavily against him and sobbed her heart out.
"I miss them," she croaked.
"You loved them, very much."
"I did. And now there's no one left from my family. I'm the only one." Her eyes ached from the tears she'd cried. He rubbed her back as soothingly as he could. She rested her head against his chest and let him support and care for her. "Our son is the only child from his generation in my family. The only grandchild or great grandchild. There are no other Roslins left. He should be running around with his cousin, Cheryl's kid. Instead… It's not fair."
"No, it's not."
"I wish my parents and my sisters could be here too. They'd have loved you. Mom and Dad would have been thrilled I found someone who makes me happy. My sisters would have teased us mercilessly," she said, smiling through her tears. Bill had only seen pictures, but the three women that smiled from the photos radiated love, mischief, and happiness. He'd have loved to see Laura with her sisters and the trouble they would have caused.
"They live on in your memory," he murmured.
He drove her home in silence after she'd finished paying her respects. Once they'd returned home, she'd simply sat down on the couch and watched their young son play on the floor with his blocks. Bill wrapped her in his arms, and she nestled into his embrace.
He let the silence stretch and looked around their space. Books he'd collected were mixed with hers now. Laura's paperwork was scattered on various surfaces, and her shoes were discarded in the middle of the floor. Family pictures of the two of them together and of their kids were now displayed on various surfaces.
"I never thought I'd have a family again after I lost my parents and sisters," she whispered. "We were a makeshift family on Galactica, but it feels like we've lost them too. We won't even get to see them again. Not really. After all, I've gone to Lee's parent teacher-conference meetings. I've sent him to his room. He'll never be the same young man, Captain Apollo, who I met all those years ago. What will Starbuck be like in the changed timeline?" Laura sighed.
"Sometimes, I feel guilty we have this second chance and others don't," she admitted, looking down at her hands.
"This was out of our control. Best we can do is use this chance and change what we can. Kara shouldn't have been haunted by Zak's death. Dualla… Billy… they deserved better," he sighed and held Laura tighter. "And, I shouldn't have had to live on after watching my wife die just as we reached Earth."
"It will be different now."
They'd settled into their lives, but they remembered.
…
12 Years Before the Fall
It's almost always the same when he comes home; Laura patiently waits until the boys have hugged their father. Then he turns to her and their eyes meet. The air always becomes practically electric. After a moment, he breaks the silence.
"Missed you," he rasps as he reaches out to grasp her shoulders.
"Me too," she murmurs as he pulls her into a warm embrace. Every time she sighs as a surge of contentment warms her; it's like coming home. She always wraps her arms around him, and then buries her face in his neck. They simply enjoy being together for a moment. Then he hears it. "I love you," she whispers next to his ear before pulling back to look at the happiness in his eyes.
"About time." He still says it and tries not to smirk. When they pull back, he watches her smile; it's the one she only gives him, filled with love, happiness, joy, and relief.
They'd settled into their lives and were happy.
….
12 Years Before the Fall
Laura Roslin knew Lee Adama could pull some stupid stunts. She'd watched him make some questionable life choices in the previous timeline. Apparently, it was a trend he started as a teenager.
She had come to love him like a son in the alternate future despite his shenanigans. Now, in this timeline she loved him as her son. Carolanne had disappeared from his life and, while Lee never called her mom, he was willing to let her fill that void. The problem was her son could be a complete idiot when he wanted to be.
Lee had snuck out last night. Thinking himself clever, he had made sure to come home before Laura was supposed to be awake. But she knew. She also knew Bill would be home later that day.
When Lee got home from school, Laura was ready. She looked up and smiled at the teenager from where she had been reading a report on the couch. The tone she summoned struck a balance between motherly and presidential.
"Did you have fun last night?" she asked and watched Lee's face fall. Busted. She held up a hand before he could respond. "Your father is waiting for you in his study." Sometimes, those words seemed to be the only thing that scared the boy. He hung his head and his shoulders slumped. Laura watched him head back to the study door and take several deep breaths before knocking.
After that, Lee never snuck out again.
It wasn't always a quiet life, but it could be so much fun when it wasn't.
….
11 Years Before the Fall
It was a summer weekend, and the smell of fresh cut grass wafted through the air from the open windows. Their kids' laughter could be heard from outside. They were out of school and Lee was enjoying his last summer of freedom before he'd join the Colonial Fleet. He was being a good big brother and kicking a ball outside with Liam and Zak. Laura smiled at their antics, sipped her morning tea, and read over reports from her school districts.
The sound of a pen dropping on the table caught her attention, and she looked over at her husband. He pinched the bridge of his nose. A pile of correspondences lay on the table in front of him. There was a tense set to his jaw, and he groaned before picking up the pen again. He wasn't a social person by nature, but keeping up with contacts, friends, comrades, and allies could one day prove useful. Laura sensed more than his distaste for socialization in his mood.
"You going to tell me what's on your mind?" she probed. His eyes snapped over to her, and he tugged on his ear as he mulled over what to say.
"A conversation I once had with Chief," he said vaguely.
"And?" she pushed, raising an eyebrow and taking a sip of tea. She waited for a more complete answer. He sighed.
"He talked about how no one ended up with the person they really wanted in the other timeline. We made do with who the Cylons left alive," he explained, furrowing bis brows.
"I can see why he'd think that," she admitted; it was what it was.
"Is that what happened to us? Are we only together because the end of the world forced us together?" he asked, staring at his hands and avoiding her gaze. The atmosphere tensed.
"Are you really asking me this?" she sighed, thinking of her own moments where she'd wondered if they'd work as a normal couple.
"What would have happened if we'd met on Caprica?" he asked.
"Why ask? We met on Galactica. That's where we fell in love. The reality is that the second I awoke in this time you were the only one I could think about. How could you ever question us?"
"I've just been thinking..."
"Well, that's dangerous," she quipped, and he shot her a look. "What brought this on, Bill? Was I the best of limited options for you then, and now you feel stuck with me?" she asked, and her voice shook. Her body felt cold.
"No! Don't ever think that, Laura," he exclaimed, reaching out to cover her hand.
"What's going on then?" she asked after taking a relieved breath.
"I realized something. I've known you longer in this timeline. In the time we've known each other, we've been married longer than we haven't. Sometimes I just can't quite believe it. And you are still here willingly," he explained, laying his own insecurities bare for her. Laura sighed and shook her head.
"We belong together," she said, picking up her mug and standing. "But you have a point. We've never really stopped and asked why we felt the way we did. The world had ended, and I was dying; it was what it was," she explained and leaned over to kiss the top of his head. "I've told you, you're the best man I've ever known. If you really need to know, I chose you and stayed with you because you're kind and thoughtful. Smart. We can talk about anything. There can be such a formal and composed air around you, but it can't quite hide how compassionate and warm you really are. You're fierce and unbelievably loyal. I feel safe with you. I like how you care for people and care for me. So, Mr. Tactician, do you feel better having the facts?" she teased but her eyes were serious.
"Yea," he rasped, trying not to let his voice break from emotion. It wasn't just the end of the world and their quest to change the future forcing them together. She'd just made that clear. He heard Laura walk into the kitchen, and he took a deep breath before standing to follow her. He watched her get more tea before coming up behind her to wrap his arms around her in an embrace. "You know I might have one or two things to say to you in response," he said, kissing her cheek.
"You don't have to, Bill. Telling people how you feel isn't your forte. But if you'd like to try, it would make up for that ridiculous question you asked me," she hummed, giving him an out. She leaned back against his solid frame, and enjoyed how they fit together.
"Your legs," he began, and Laura snorted out a laugh. "Your taste in books," he continued, keeping it lighthearted for the moment. "The glint you get in your eye when being playful and mischievous." He took her tea and turned her to face him. "How frakkin' stubborn as hell you are." She raised a disbelieving eyebrow at him, and he grinned before continuing: "how dedicated you are. Smart, although it would be nice if I was right for a change. You're pragmatic but warm and stronger than anyone I've ever met. What's not to love, Laura?" he finished and his gravelly voice sent a shiver down her spine.
"So, we've been married that long?" she marveled looking into his eyes. They both smiled.
They'd settled into their life, but sometimes it was still unbelievable.
…
10 Years before the Fall
Laura was standing in her office at home; torn cards and broken pencils scattered all around her feet. Listening to her muttering as she practiced parts of her committee meeting testimony, Bill sat smirking in an armchair off to the side. He held a pencil out and ready in one hand, but also had a book propped open on his lap. A half empty pencil box sat on the table next to him along with his half empty glass of ambrosia. Both jumped when a piercing whine shattered their concentration.
"Mommmmmm! Can you help? This math homework makes no sense," Zak begged, trudging in and glaring at a piece of paper in his hands. They could see frustration in his scrunched-up face. Laura giggled suddenly. Then another. When she tried to suppress the almost inevitable third giggle, it ended up sputtering out anyways.
"Giggles, always at the weirdest times," Bill muttered. Zak was looking between his parents. "Try and think of something serious," Bill ordered.
"Like what?" she asked through giggles.
"Math?" Zak offered. His answer only caused both of his parents to snort with laughter.
"I'll be right there, Zak," Laura managed to wheeze out. She took a deep breath and followed him to the living room. The coffee table was scattered with his papers. It still felt quiet with Lee gone. He was now a student at War College. Zak showed her the problem, and Laura began carefully explaining how to solve it.
Meanwhile, Bill leaned in the doorway and watched them. They'd become a happy family, and Laura was a wonderful mother. Nowadays, it came more naturally to think of her as an educator, mother, and wife than to remember her as the President.
It was a quiet life, and it was their life.
….
9 Years Before the Fall
He was being promoted. Commander.
Crewmen stood at attention around the CIC of the Battlestar Valkyrie, the magnificent and shiny modern warship. Adama stood in the center of CIC with his retiring Commanding Officer standing off to his right side. He'd be replacing him. Laura, Liam, Zak, and Lee stood off to his left. Saul hung close by too. Bill tried to keep his face somewhat stern, but the sight of his proud wife and grinning kids wasn't helping.
They'd been in this timeline for many years now. He'd learned that he could be the man he always wanted to be. He was a loving husband and devoted father. He adored his family, and they adored him back. There were days that fact alone still shocked him.
Being part of the military wasn't easy, and it took sacrifice. The reality of being constantly separated from Laura and the boys was rough. Wearing the uniform and protecting the future meant a price was paid. He did his best to balance his life, and Laura was understanding. His spitfire of a wife was also quite willing to let him know when he needed to think about what he was doing. There had been more than a few hushed arguments between husband and wife behind closed doors. They had their flaws, but they were happy. A testament to his growth as a husband and father was the fact that there had been no family present when he'd been promoted to Commander in the previous timeline. This time, they had all come. He forced himself to stop glancing at his glowing wife who'd worn his favorite dress. Instead, he turned his attention to what the old Commander was saying.
"…confidence in the patriotism, integrity, and qualities of Colonel William Adama. In view of the demonstrated potential and aforementioned qualities, William Adama is hereby promoted to the permanent grade of Commander in the Colonial Fleet."
Laura was asked to step forward; the spouse of a military officer could pin the new rank insignia on their partner during promotion ceremonies. He stayed at attention while she reached up and pulled his Colonel's pins off. Her hands grazed his neck, and she smiled up into his eyes. She handed the small tokens to Zak before turning and accepting the new rank pins from his CO. She carefully affixed one to each side of his uniform jacket before pressing a quick chaste kiss to his mouth. Get promoted, kiss Laura, he thought. It was tradition now. Maybe he'd try to make Admiral in this timeline. Motivation. Also, greater access to Fleet resources and a more important voice. Apocalypse.
"Congratulations, Commander Adama," his CO beamed and they exchanged salutes. Cheers broke out around the ship. Officers moved to shake his hand and offer their congratulations.
Meanwhile, Laura searched for the pair of familiar eyes she had spotted. She sighed. It had been a quiet life. But now there was someone else who knew about the future. If one other person knew about the future, she couldn't help but wonder how many there were who knew.