Oasis (Part Four)

By Socket

The giddiness in Laura's stomach intensifies as the Caprica bridal suite begins to play. Roslin never thought she'd marry – she's never met anyone worth committing to, until Lee Adama crash-landed in her life. What a way to find your soul-mate – have the world end.

He'd proposed while she was in the bathtub – refused to give her a towel until she said 'yes'. She'd gotten the giggles and when he threatened to streak naked through the streets screaming "I love Laura Roslin," she had accepted. They didn't tell that story to others; it was their secret. They told a version with a moonlit supper and a ring in the bottom of her wine glass. It was more seemly.

Dr. Cottle proudly walks her down the isle, Laura carries a simple flower arrangement and wears Lee's favourite purple suit, her hair swept elegantly off her face, loose curls cascading down her back.

Her eyes scan the guests, she smiles at Tori, then Adama… next to Bill, she sees Dualla's chair is empty. Despite Lee's protests, Laura had sent an invitation to Dee, it wasn't meant as spite, just the opposite. Laura has no room in her heart for grudges. Life is fleeting, cancer taught her that, it was a waste of time to harbour ill-feeling… and she wanted Dee to know that. But obviously, Dualla hadn't wanted to attend – Laura can understand that, so she focuses her attention back on Lee - today is a happy day.

When they reach the pulpit, Cottle offers Roslin's hand to Apollo, he takes it gently and the couple ascend the podium. The priest smiles at their beaming faces and begins the ceremony.

Laura and Lee say their vows, gazing at each other as if the universe began and ended in each others eyes.

Adama shifts uneasily in his seat. He wants to be here, to demonstrate his support of their marriage - he has a special place in his heart for Laura, respects her greatly – but still has reservations about this relationship. He watches his son closely, he's never seen Lee happier, so he takes a breath - he would just have to get past his hang-ups.

They spend their honeymoon in the seclusion of New Picon springs; set-up camp in the nearby woods and live and breathe the tranquil atmosphere and each other.

Lee relishes being able to slip his arms around her waist, have her lean against his chest, kiss her neck and whisper "Good morning, wife."

To which she replies, "Good morning, husband," turns in his arms and rewards him with a tender kiss.

They've only been married for five days and it's already beyond anything he had imagined – with Laura, everything feels new, the world is brighter, even mundane occurrence are a joy when he can share them with her.

He awakes one morning to find her side of the bed empty. Lee pulls his dressing-gown on and steps out of the tent. Laura stands gazing up at the sky; dawn is breaking and saturates the sky with yellow and orange hues.

"Isn't it beautiful," she murmurs; sensing him behind her.

Lee moves beside her; his eyes on her face. "I thought you didn't like daybreak," he states.

She shivers. "Because you had to leave, but now – I have no reason to fear it."

Lee puts his arm about her shoulder and kisses the top of her head; she rests her head against his chest. Sometimes he forgets how much he hurt her. Sometimes, she still puts notes in his coat pocket… they just remind him never to take her for granted.

They arrive back at the settlement, Laura returns to work and he sets out for The Pegasus to collect his personal effects – Dee still hasn't sent them on, despite his request.

Lee stalks through the corridors of The Pegasus, he's sick of being a part of Dee's childish games. Sick of having her dictate the rules.

He enters his former quarters and begins to pack his belongings. He's almost finished when Dee enters; he ignores her and carries on with his task.

"I hear you're both very happy," she says, her voice full of injury.

"Dee – I don't have time for this," he replies sharply.

"Then make time – you owe me that much!"

Lee stops and glares at her. "You faked a pregnancy to stop me being with the woman I love – I don't owe you anything!"

Dee's eyes tear-up. "I was desperate, I wasn't thinking – I'm sorry."

Apollo shakes his head. "Lets not do this. Laura is my wife; it's behind us now. I hope one day you find what you're looking for, Dee, I really do."

"I found it," she says sadly, looking directly at him.

Lee picks-up the box containing his belongings. "I have to go, Laura's expecting me."

Dee nods sadly. "Yes – go."

He moves towards the door when red-alert pierces through the ship. Dualla and Lee exchange startled looks. Dee reaches for the phone – she calls CIC and her eyes widen upon hearing the news. "We'll be right there," she instructs and hangs-up.

She turns to Lee. "Dradis just picked-up a Cylon fleet."

They both rush from the room, heading for CIC.

Laura is teaching when she hears the aircrafts above them. She steps out into the street and looks up at the sky; it's littered with Cylon ships. Her heart stops and her mind immediately wonders to Lee. Was he already dead? Had The Pegasus been destroyed by the Cylons? Or had it made an FTL jump to safety? She closes her eyes and offers a silent prayer to the Gods to look after her husband, wherever he was.

In the distance she hears a rhythmic thud; her eyes turn with everyone else's to see centurion Cylon's marching their way through the street, heading in the direction of Colonial One. The coldness of fear grips her – the day of reckoning was finally here and Baltar was not ready for it.

An hour after surrendering to the Cylon's, President Baltar's body lay slumped on the stairway of Colonial One. A bullet wound to his chest. His blood spilled out and the angry mob he had been attempting to calm stood back in horror.

He had betrayed them, had sold them out - at least, that's what Cally said as she lowered her firearm and was arrested by guards.

Shortly after the assassination of Baltar, Thrace and Tigh were at Roslin's door; talking of reinstating her. Words like "duty", "strong leadership" and "crisis" filled the air.

Who else was there? It was a job no one wanted, a job no one else was qualified for. An enormous error had been made at the last Presidential election and now they had the chance to rectify it. She had to take the mantle once again. It was her duty.

Laura listened carefully; still reeling from the day's events; humanities existence being threatened once more, the fleet above the planet gone… Lee, the gods know where and the Presidency being offered to her again...

Like all the major changes in Roslin's life – it was happening too fast, but she was unable to slow it down - so it was time for her to start running to keep-up.

One thing Laura has always been good at is rising to the occasion, professionally – it's the personal tragedies she's hopeless at. She can't let herself think about Lee – she has to focus on that which she can affect. She's a natural warrior and the people need her; so there's no doubt in her mind about what she has to do.