Kestra finally received a visit from Lee another week after her talk with the president. When he entered she was silent. He looked broken, but she couldn't bring herself to feel too much pity for him. He had, after all, left her alone for weeks without letting her know that he had even been back aboard the ship. She recognized that he didn't owe her anything, and that in all reality she shouldn't have even expected him to care about her welfare. Of course she had spent the last two weeks obsessing over all these things, so she decided that he should have the opportunity to explain himself before she made an impulsive decision about him. He looked at her with dead eyes.

"How have you been?" he asked. Her eyes narrowed.

"Don't ask me that," she said harshly. Lee looked at the floor and sighed.

"Look, I know it's been a while, but I had some things I needed to work out," he snapped. Kestra didn't reply which angered him. "You're not the only person on this ship dealing with stuff ok. We're all stuck out here in the middle of nowhere, with no home to go to, and nothing to do but survive." Kestra clenched her jaw shut and remained as impassive as she could. She knew if she opened her mouth now she wouldn't be able to control anything she said. Again, Lee was irritated by her silence. "You can stop your little pity party, Kestra. We all know your life is hard, and we're all monsters for putting you through this-"

Lee Adama shut your mouth before I shut it for you!

Lee cringed and covered his ears as if he was trying to block out the voice coming from inside his mind. He looked up slowly and saw Kestra standing rigidly in the middle of her cell. Her eyes were blazing and unbridled fury was written on her face.

"I don't know what happened while you were on Pegasus," she ground out slowly, "but you need to get over yourself. Yes, your life is hard and you've lost your home. Well guess what Lee? So did everybody else. If I can't have my pity party then you sure as hell don't get to have one yourself. Your father runs the only military ship in your fleet and you are a captain under his command. How many people in the fleet probably wish they had that kind of privilege? Or their fathers alive? Or friends like you have? Do you even know how lucky you are, Lee?"

"Don't act like you know-"

"No! You don't get to talk. You wanna come in here fine, but you listen. You can leave, I can't, so I'm doing the talking… you selfish, arrogant, asshole. Lee…" Kestra threw her hands up in frustration as she searched for the words. "You know, if you want to compare suffering fine. Let's do that. You're upset because you lost your home? So did I. And not only did I lose my home, but I lost every single person I loved. I was alone, for years, on a planet I didn't know, in a galaxy that was absolutely foreign to me. I did nothing but survive for two years." Tears were streaming freely down Kestra's face, but she talked through them. "And when I finally thought I was saved. When I found out that there was more life than myself in this galaxy, I was imprisoned, and beaten, and threatened, and lied to by every person I came into contact with. I've experienced nothing but hostility from the only lifeforms that I've seen in years. I tried to open up, because I thought that maybe there was at least one person on this god forsaken ship that I could trust! But I was wrong. Again, you left me alone to drown in my own thoughts, wondering if I had done something to make you ignore me. Wondering if I will ever trust another being again. If I'll ever see a friendly face again. Wondering if my parents are out there somewhere looking for me, or if they've already presumed me dead. Wondering if they hate me for leaving them childless." Kestra's words were coming out in choked sobs now, but she refused to give Lee even a moment to speak. She screamed to cover up her sobs. "So don't you come in here thinking about how selfless and benevolent you are for visiting the lonely prisoner who would be broken and helpless without you. I survived for years without Lee Adama, and I'll continue to survive just as well without him. I am not a plaything for you to use at your convenience. If you're looking for gratitude to justify your meaningless existence, I'm not the one who's gonna give it to you. I'm not here for you, to ease your conscience or justify your existence. I'm done…" Her breaths were rapid, but the fight was leaving her. "I'm done," she breathed out. Her breath turned into a sob, and Kestra collapsed to the floor. Lee stood frozen in the same spot he'd been in when she'd started speaking. When she fell, it snapped him out of it. He stepped forward toward the bars, but beyond that was at a loss for what to do. She was right. He'd wanted her to be grateful that he'd visited. After ejecting from the Blackbird he hadn't wanted to live. He didn't see the reason. They fought day after day just to stay alive. Not to protect a home or end a war. Just to survive. It was an endless fight with no end in sight, and Lee was tired of it. He looked at Kestra's body as it shook with sobs and was overwhelmed with guilt. If he had nothing to live for then neither did she. She was right on that account as well. He had friends, and his father, and he loved to fly. He didn't even know what she loved to do. Lee's resolve solidified as he stared at her broken form in the brig. He turned on his heel and stormed out of the brig and straight to the Admiral's quarters.

Lee blew by the guards and opened the door to Admiral Adama's quarters without warning. When he entered, he found his father with President Roslin. Her presence did not bother or surprise Lee, in fact it was just as well that she was there.

"You need to release Kestra," he demanded. Bill was startled by his son's entrance and, even more so, by his sudden demand. He glanced at Roslin who shared his surprise. Bill returned his gaze to Lee.

"Lieutenant, I know you've been having a hard time-"

"This isn't about me, Admiral," Lee interrupted, "this is about Kestra, a woman you are holding indefinitely in a prison cell without cause." Bill's brows furrowed as did Roslin's.

"She is being held, because of the threat she presents to the fleet," Roslin reasoned.

"With all do respect Madam President, I was speaking to the Admiral not you," Lee said briskly before refocusing his attention on his father, "she is a prisoner on your ship, so I'm asking you, Admiral, to release her." Bill held Lee's stare with his own equally intense one.

"You know my reasons," he said dangerously, "tell me what I want to know, and we'll talk."

"Do you trust me?" Lee asked. Bill was taken aback at his apparent shift in topic. He paused to think about his answer seriously.

"Yes," Bill said firmly. Lee nodded.

"Then I'll tell you what you want to know if you guarantee her release regardless of what you hear," Lee said.

"I can't do that until I know what she is," Bill argued.

"You said you trusted me. Do you think I would let you release her if I thought she was a danger to this ship or this fleet?" Lee asked. Bill's eyes narrowed.

"Bill," Laura warned. He did not acknowledge that she had spoken.

"Deal," Bill said, keeping his eye contact with Lee. Lee nodded again.

"Admiral, that alien is an unknown that could still pose a threat to this fleet," Laura argued, "while I understand the faith you've put in your son, I don't believe even he knows everything there is to know about her." Lee turned toward the president.

"I don't know everything there is to know about you either Madam President, but I put my trust in you anyway," he said evenly. Laura shook her head.

"This is different."

"Every relationship starts with trust. I think it's about time we made a show of good faith in this one," Lee said in the same even tone. He turned back to Bill.

"Tell me," Bill ordered. Lee shook his head.

"I promised her I would never betray her trust," he said, "she has to tell you." He gestured to the doorway. Bill looked at him skeptically but followed the path he indicated. Lee paused before following him. "You can come too if you want," he said to Laura. He turned and left without waiting for her response.

The door to the brig opened again. Kestra sat in the same spot Lee had left her in. Her eyes were red and puffy. The front of her shirt was soaked in tears. She glared at Lee as he entered the room. She did not falter even when he was followed by Admiral Adama and President Roslin. Lee opened her cell and approached her. Kestra inched away as he crouched in front of her.

"You were right," he said softly, "I was being selfish, and I wasn't thinking about how any of what I was doing affected you. If you can forgive me, I'd like to try to make it up to you." He watched her intently for a response. She continued to glare at him, then shot a glance behind him at his companions.

"The Admiral has agreed to grant you your freedom," Lee explained to her. She returned her eyes to him, but her look remained skeptical. "Provided that you tell him about…" Lee tilted his head toward her to indicate that she knew what the Admiral wanted. Kestra jumped up from the floor.

"Absolutely not," she shouted as she paced away from him, "are you crazy, Lee? This is exactly what I said I didn't want to do. You promised me." She stopped pacing with her final accusation and glared at Lee.

"And I kept my word. I haven't told them anything," he said as he approached her, "but we've got to work something out here. You can't live in the brig forever." She rolled her eyes and turned away, but he caught her by the shoulder. Lee held her facing him and pleaded with his eyes. "They already suspect that you're more than human," he reasoned gently, "they're more afraid of what you might be than what you actually are. If you tell them, they won't have any more reason to be afraid of you." Kestra avoided his gaze.

"Or they'll have even more reason," she muttered.

"Trust me," he said with emphasis, "their fears are far scarier than what you truly are." Kestra met his eyes again and recognized the desperation in them.

Forgive me.

Kestra smiled softly and suddenly. Lee's brow furrowed at her sudden change in expression, but before he could question it she interrupted his thought.

I do.

Lee's eyes widened. Kestra's smile widened at his shock, she placed her hand on his face.

"But my forgiveness is not given lightly," she clarified out loud, "I expect you to earn it." Lee just stared at her for a moment before slowly nodding.

"Will you talk to them?" he asked. She peeked around his shoulder at Adama and Roslin who looked mildly confused.

"Yes," she said as she returned her focus to Lee, "but I'm going to tell them all of it." Lee nodded in understanding. He turned around and led her over to the pair outside the cell. "You want to know about what your doctor found in my brain?" she asked them. The both nodded. "We might want to sit down," Kestra said and gestured to her cell. Bill and Laura both sat in chairs facing Lee and Kestra, who sat on the edge of her cot. Kestra proceeded to explain her telepathy as she had to Lee, including the fact that it only worked one way, most of the time.

"Most of the time?" Laura asked as soon as she finished. Kestra glanced at Lee.

"The only time I've ever been able to sense someone else's emotions or thoughts is with Lee," Kestra explained. Bill and Laura both looked at him in surprise. "It's only happened twice, and both times it was very short and he was very emotional," Kestra continued. Again Bill and Laura looked questioningly at Lee. Lee shrugged.

"I know about as little as you do," he said. Bill narrowed his eyes.

"Then what did you do to Laura?" he asked Kestra, "the other day when we were here." Lee looked questioningly at Kestra, but she ignored him.

"I just projected a noise. It was only meant to make her uncomfortable. I just took advantage of the fact that she was already physically weak, and she wasn't expecting it. It got the desired effect," she explained. Bill looked to Laura for confirmation. She nodded.

"So you can use this… telepathy against us?" Bill asked. Kestra smirked.

"At the most I'm a distraction. I don't have enough betazoid DNA to manipulate other beings. I can't read your thoughts, so your military secrets are safe with you," she said, "the most I could do to you is mess with your focus and maybe," she glanced at Laura, "cause you discomfort."

"Then how can you read Lee's thoughts?" Adama asked. Kestra blushed.

"I'm not sure honestly," she said, "I know it's at least partially because I am closer to him personally than any of you. The emotional distress we were both under when it happened is also probably a factor, but aside from that… there are some answers I don't have either."

"And we are just expected to believe you?" Roslin asked. Kestra gave her an unyielding stare.

"Do you think I would still be here if my telepathy was stronger?" she asked icily, "I've been imprisoned and beaten by you. If I could manipulate you I never would have let you take me off the planet you found me on." Laura stayed silent, and Kestra released her gaze.

"Well, now that we've held up our end of the bargain, Kestra, you're a free woman," Lee said to her, effectively ending the conversation.

"Wait," Roslin interrupted, "there are so many more questions that need answered."

"That wasn't our deal," Lee said to her, but switched his attention to his father, "we agreed that she would tell you about the telepathy, and she would go free." Lee watched his father with unyielding eyes. Bill nodded once. Lee released a sigh of relief. He stood and offered his hand to Kestra. She accepted and stood up with him. "Would you like a tour of the ship, my lady?" he offered chivalrously. Kestra chuckled lightly.

"I'd be delighted, kind sir," she replied. Lee smiled back at her as he led her out of the brig. Laura and Bill sat alone in the cell.

"This could be a big mistake, Bill," Laura said as she stared at the empty doorway. Bill sighed as he stood up.

"Lee's right. It's time we show some good faith," he said, "I trust him." He offered her his hand, which she accepted, and led her out of the brig.

Lee walked Kestra through the hangar deck. People milled around them, and Kestra could feel the stares. Lee was too busy pointing out all the features of the deck and describing the vipers to notice anything strange. As they were leaving, Kestra pulled him into an alcove by the door.

"Hey, what's going on?" Lee asked with a laugh.

"What happens to me now, Lee?" she asked seriously. Lee raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean? You're free. We did it," he said happily.

"No Lee," Kestra said harshly. The smile fell off Lee's face. "I'm not free. I'm stuck on a ship where every one of your crewmates sees me as an enemy. That's what happens when you keep a person in jail for months. Everyone here sees me as a prisoner. A threat. What am I supposed to do? Where am I supposed to live?" Lee cocked his head and sighed.

"I don't know, but we'll figure all that out. Can't you just enjoy your freedom?" he asked.

"No, Lee, I can't until I know that I can continue to survive outside of that cell. I can't trust that everyone on this ship won't kill me the first chance they get."

"So… what are you saying?" Lee asked in irritation.

"I'm saying you need to get me off this ship," she said bluntly. Lee's eyes widened.

"What? No. You can't just go out into the fleet. You don't have any means to support yourself. You'll die. The safest place for you is on Galactica. With me," Lee argued. Kestra shook her head and walked out of the alcove and into the corridor. "Hey!" Lee shouted as he chased after her. "Don't just walk away."

"I agree that living out in the fleet would be very difficult, but I'd rather take my chances on a civilian ship than on one with trained killers who hate me," Kestra shot back as she continued down the hall. Lee sped up to keep pace with her.

"Well I'm not going to let you get yourself killed just because you don't trust me to protect you," Lee said angrily.

"It's not about trust, Lee. You have a job, a duty to your ship. You haven't even thought about what it would take to keep me safe on Galactica or how that would interfere with your duty," she replied.

"Then let's talk about it. Where are you even going?" he shouted as she continued to speed up. They rounded a corner.

"Hey," a voice rang out, and Lee turned abruptly. Kara had come out of an adjoining corridor and launched herself at Kestra. Lee ran over to them, and Kara noticed his approach. "What the frak is this toaster doing out of it's cell?" she yelled as she held Kestra against the wall by her throat. Kara's gun was pointed at Kestra's temple.

"Kara, let her go," Lee ordered as he ripped her gun out of her hand.

"What the frak, Lee?" Kara yelled as she turned to him with her hand still on Kestra's neck.

"The Admiral released her hours ago. Let her go," Lee enunciated the last three words deliberately as he stared Kara down. She narrowed her eyes at him and refused to move her hand.

"Has the Old Man lost his mind? She's the enemy," Kara yelled. A crowd had begun to form around the group, and Lee could see several people placing their hands on their weapons.

"If anyone," he addressed the crowd, "has a problem with the Admiral's orders, they are welcome to take it up with him. However, until that time," he returned his eyes to Kara, "this woman is to be left unharmed. Is that understood, Lieutenant?" Kara glared at Lee a moment longer, then released her hold on Kestra. Kestra coughed and turned to brace herself against the wall. Lee was by her side in a moment. "Are you ok?" he asked. She nodded weakly.

"What is wrong with you, Lee?" Kara said over his shoulder, "You-"

"Lieutenant Thrace, I thought I made it clear that this conversation was over," he barked and turned to the onlookers, "go on. Get out of here." People slowly began making their way back down the corridor. Kara glared at Lee for a moment longer, then huffed and stalked away toward the Admiral's quarters. Lee turned back to Kestra. "Maybe we should take you to Doc Cottle," he asked anxiously. Kestra shook her head.

"I'm fine," she said as she started back down the hall. Lee grabbed her by the arm to stop her.

"Hey, at least let him look at you. You had a bad concussion a few weeks ago and she threw you against the wall pretty hard," he reasoned

"I said I was fine, Lee," she said as she shook him off and walked away. She quickly turned down another hall and stopped in an empty corridor. Lee caught up to her and noticed tears in her eyes.

"Kestra?" he asked gently as he placed a hand on her shoulder. She met his eyes and took a shaky breath.

"That's why I can stay, Lee. Because I walk down the hallway, and people assume I'm their enemy," she said.

"Starbuck is stubborn. She just doesn't understand," he said.

"Lee," Kestra said, shaking her head, "do you think more people on this ship think like you or Starbuck?" She looked him in the eyes and saw the understanding dawn on him. His face fell, his hand slipped off her shoulder.

"I don't want you to go," he said softly. Kestra smiled sadly and grabbed his hand.

"You said you wanted to make it up to me?" she said, and he nodded, "well you can do that by doing what's best for me, even if it's not what you want." He laughed a little.

"I got in trouble for not seeing you, and I'm making up for it by sending you away?" he asked jokingly, "that doesn't make much sense." She laughed too.

"You can fix that by promising to visit me," she said shyly.

"Definitely," he said, "now we just have to figure out where to send you." Kestra shrugged.

"You'd know better than me," she commented.

"Well I meant it when I said I won't send you to fend for yourself on a ship of strangers. The problem is, there's no one I really trust outside this ship," he said. Kestra was silent while Lee thought. "Maybe my father will have some connections," he finally said. He looked to Kestra for approval, and she smiled.

"I trust your judgement, Captain," she said. Lee smiled and led her back toward the Admiral's quarters.

Just before they reached Adama's quarters Kara stormed by them angrily. She only paused momentarily when she recognized them, then sped by them quickly. Lee entered his father's quarters first.

"Admiral?" he asked as he stepped in. Bill looked up to see Lee and Kestra in his doorway.

"I wanted to talk to you," he said and beckoned them forward.

"Is it about Starbuck?" Lee asked glancing back at the doorway.

"She's upset," Bill said.

"I know," Lee interrupted, "we… ran into her in the hall." Bill nodded. "I don't think it's safe for Kestra to remain on Galactica." Bill raised his eyebrows, but Lee quickly continued before he could speak. "But I don't want to send her to a random ship in the fleet where she'll struggle to survive." Bill sat back in his chair as he pondered Lee's request.

"What do you propose?" he asked. Lee shifted awkwardly.

"I was hoping you could help with that," he said, "I want to know someone's looking after her, but I don't have anyone I trust outside Galactica. I was hoping you might have an idea about who we can send her to." Bill thought about this for a moment. He didn't have many connections outside Galactica either. In fact, the only person he trusted outside Galactica that he could think of was Laura Roslin. She wouldn't want the girl with her, but he agreed with Lee. She wasn't safe on Galactica. Laura had opposed freeing the girl, but perhaps she would agree to keep her on Colonial One, if only to keep an eye on her. He narrowed his eyes at the girl. He trusted Lee's judgement, and she hadn't ever attacked them unprovoked. The incident with Laura in the brig, he admitted, had been instigated by their own hostility. The only other times he knew she'd used her abilities was when her life was in danger and whatever it was she and Lee did together. Bill also agreed with Lee that an act of good faith on their part would be the best way to proceed.

"President Roslin," he said finally. Lee's eyes went wide.

"What? Roslin hates Kestra," Lee said, "she wouldn't agree to keep her safe."

"President Roslin agreed to trust my judgement, and she'll agree to it, because it allows her to keep an eye on the girl." Lee narrowed his eyes at his father.

"Do you really believe that she would protect her?" he asked, "I mean if there was a threat to Kestra's life, do you honestly think that Laura Roslin would protect her?" Bill was silent for a moment.

"Why should there be any threats to her safety aboard Colonial One? The only people who know what she is are here on Galactica," Bill asked.

"Roslin herself is a threat. She disagreed with releasing Kestra. The last time she disagreed with you, she went behind your back and split the fleet," Lee argued.

"She's changed since then. We both have," Bill said, "if you want the girl off this ship you're going to have to trust somebody. Let's bring the president over and discuss it with her." Lee looked to Kestra who had remained silent during the whole conversation.

"What do you think?" he asked.

"It wouldn't hurt to discuss it with her," she said to Lee then turned to his father, "Will I be allowed to take part in this discussion?"

"Yes," Bill agreed.

Laura entered the familiar environment of the Admiral's quarters. She looked around at the room which was exactly as it had been last time she saw it except for the addition of the young prisoner from the brig. She narrowed her eyes and looked at Bill questioningly.

"What is this about?" she asked. Bill gestured for her to sit down, and she obliged.

"Please, have a seat Madam President," he said. The four of them sat at the Admiral's table facing each other. Bill inclined his head toward Lee.

"President Roslin," Lee started speaking calmly, "we have concerns about Kestra's safety if she stays aboard Galactica. Therefore, we need to find somewhere else within the fleet for her to stay. The Admiral presented the idea of her staying aboard Colonial One with you, and we wanted to discuss it with you." Roslin's eyebrows shot up and her gaze flew directly to Bill. His expression remained stoic as he stared back at her. Laura laughed.

"You want me to take a prisoner back to Colonial One?" she asked incredulously.

"She's not a prisoner," Lee corrected.

"A decision I opposed if you'll remember, Captain," Laura quickly responded, "Admiral." She looked almost patronizingly at Bill. He sighed heavily.

"Madam President, whatever reservations you may have about the… Kestra, she is here. Our options are to kill her or keep her aboard," he said. Lee sat up straight and opened his mouth to protest, but Bill held up his hand to silence him. "Unless you intend to convince me to throw her out an airlock, we have to come up with another solution." He looked expectantly at Laura, and she stared back thoughtfully. After a few moments she let out a defeated sigh and nodded for him to continue. "If you were to take her back to Colonial One, you'd be able to keep an eye on her if you still feel she is a danger to the fleet." Laura pondered his claims.

"If I take her back with me," she said measuredly, "I would need some assurances from all of you." Bill and Lee exchanged a glance, then nodded to her.

"I need to know that if she commits any hostile acts against my ship or the fleet that I have the authority to deal with her accordingly without retaliation from Galactica," she said pointedly.

"No," Lee said quickly. Roslin raised a brow, and Bill's furrowed in confusion.

"Lee," Kestra said softly, "I'm not going to do anything hostile, so why is it a problem?" Lee kept his focus on Roslin as he spoke.

"Because she's asking for permission to use summary judgement where you are concerned. If Kestra dies on Colonial One for any reason, you can bet your ass I'm going to retaliate," he said.

"Lee," Bill scolded him. Roslin simply looked amused.

"It's alright Bill," she said, "we can discuss this. You're worried she will be killed?" Lee shook his head.

"Let's drop the act Madam President. All four of us know you don't like Kestra, so you don't need to be polite and diplomatic. I want the truth from you, and frankly the only reason we're talking to you is because my father seems to trust you," he said. Roslin's amused look finally faltered as she glanced briefly at Bill while Lee spoke.

"Alright Lee," she said seriously, "what is it you want?"

"I want her to be safe. The people who saw her on Kobol view her as an enemy. She can't stay here where she'll be attacked in the halls, but I won't send her out in the fleet alone. You are my last resort, because you are the only person outside Galactica that the Admiral or I can trust. However, I still don't trust you to treat Kestra fairly. That is why I will not give you individual authority over any action taken against her," he explained. Roslin nodded slowly.

"Fair enough," she said, "do you have any suggestions in mind?"

"You retain the authority to detain her under any circumstances, but all punishment is to be carried out aboard Galactica," he offered. Laura considered this.

"Agreed," she said with a nod, "but I have other concerns. I want to know everything you know about this… telepathy and how it works." Lee furrowed his brow, but before he could speak Kestra interjected.

"You could just ask me about it," she said conversationally, "I am here after all, and the Admiral assured me that I could be a part of any discussion about my future." Roslin raised her eyebrows at the girl.

"Very well, how does it work?" she asked.

"President Roslin," Kestra began politely, "I've already explained the basics to you. Any further technical explanation of my abilities may be beyond the development of your society's sciences. Would it suffice for now if I were to promise not to use my abilities without your permission aboard your ship?" Roslin considered this.

"You can assure me that you won't use your telepathy at all while on my ship?" Roslin asked. Kestra nodded.

"Not if you don't want me to," she said, then furrowed her brow, "however, the occasions on which I've heard Lee's thoughts were unintentional, and I understand that he could hear my thoughts from his post on the Pegasus. I don't think I can promise any control over my shared thoughts with Lee, because I myself don't entirely understand the nature of them." Roslin narrowed her eyes at the girl. After a few moments of silence she finally spoke again.

"I thank you for your honesty. I don't have a problem with any connection you have with Captain Adama provided he is alright with it," she said looking at Lee. Lee looked at Kestra.

"I'm fine with it," he said with a small smile.

"Alright," Roslin interrupted their exchange, "would you like me to take her right away?" Lee looked back at her abruptly.

"Oh, uh, yes," he said, his face falling a bit, "the sooner we can get her off Galactica the better." He looked sadly back at Kestra who shared his melancholy expression.

"Lee, will you take Kestra outside for a moment. I'd like to speak to the president alone," Bill asked. Lee nodded and led Kestra out the door and closed it. Roslin looked at Adama with a raised brow.

"What's on your mind, Admiral?" she asked.

"Laura," he said seriously, "if you're not going to take the safety of this girl seriously, I'd like to know now." Roslin's expression changed to one of exasperation.

"Bill, we don't know anything about this girl. I can't afford to let my guard down," she said in irritation.

"I'm not asking for that," he said pointedly, "I'm asking that if you agree to protect the girl you take it seriously. For Lee's sake and for hers."

"What am I supposed to do with her? Let her wander Colonial One unsupervised? Treat her like one of us?"

"Just give her a bed and some food, Laura," Bill said firmly, "maybe a little sympathy."

"I am fighting for humanity's survival. I can't afford sympathy right now," she said cynically.

"What is our survival worth if we lose our humanity along the way?" Bill asked earnestly. Laura stared pleadingly at him, but he did not retract his question. She sighed sadly.

"Alright, Bill," she sighed, "I'll keep her safe." Bill smiled softly.

"You might try treating her more like a human and less like an enemy. You might learn to like her," he suggested.

"Don't push it, Bill," she said tiredly. Bill smiled again and reached out to grab her hand.

"Thank you, Laura," he said sincerely. She smiled back at him.

"You're welcome, Bill," she said.