Lee and Kestra were laid out under the shade of the looming buildings at the far end of the city. The sun was sinking low in the sky, and cast long shadows over the whole planet. In the shadow of Baltar's creation they had been discussing the failings of their current president.

"I wonder how stupid people have to be to elect someone like Baltar," Kestra said.

"Not stupid. Desperate," Lee said, "people wanted to have somewhere to call home. They're tired of running. I can't blame them." Kestra sighed.

"I wonder if Laura was right. She insisted that we wouldn't be safe here, but the cylons haven't come yet, have they?" she said, "maybe if she had agreed to settle here we wouldn't be in this situation."

"Maybe," Lee said, "she certainly cared more about the people than Baltar. You wish she was still president?"

"Yes," Kestra said, but furrowed her brow after, "and no. I can tell she's happier teaching. She never liked politics… even though she was good at it." Lee barked a short laugh.

"She sure was," he said, "she surprised all of us. My father thought she was just a silly school teacher when she was sworn in. Boy did she give him a run for his money."

"He surprised her too," Kestra remarked, "she didn't expect him to care about the survival of the civilians over warmongering. She expected him to be more like Admiral Cain."

"Well, I think there have been a lot of wrong assumptions made since the attack," Lee said, casting a sidelong glance at her.

"Yeah, I've made a few myself," she said. Lee shook his head.

"Everything you ever said about us is right," he said sadly.

"No," she said, "I never took into account the position you all are in. You represent the last remnant of your race and, to your knowledge, your species. You have to protect yourselves as a species. Individuals mean less in situations like that. How can I expect to be welcomed, when the possibility that I could do you harm could wipe out your entire race?"

"It's no excuse for the way you were treated."

"Maybe not, but it is easier to see your perspective now. If I die, it will only affect me and my family. If you die it's one step closer to human extinction." Lee nodded solemnly.

"It's crazy to think that we're all that's left. I think part of me has to believe that there are more survivors out there. Ships like Cain's that were able to get away during the attack. The cylons can't be tracking all of us."

"If Cain was able to show up out of nowhere, it stands to reason that there could be others," Kestra agreed.

"But we can't rely on that being a fact either. If we really are the only ones left, it's up to us to ensure humanity's survival."

"I believe you'll do it," she said. Lee looked at her and smiled. When she smiled back his face fell.

"I wish I could come down more often," he said.

"You have a duty on Pegasus," she reminded him. Lee shook his head and sat up to be able to see her face better.

"Kestra, I love you. I know you don't trust me, but this… I can't stand this. Only seeing you every few weeks. I miss you all the time, and it's torture to get a few hours or even a day with you and then to go back to Pegasus alone," he said. Kestra turned away to avoid his gaze.

"Lee," she said tentatively, looking out at the horizon, "I…" She was interrupted when she felt a surge of longing that didn't belong to her.

I miss us.

She turned to him and met his eyes. She knew it was his longing and thoughts she was hearing, but she couldn't help but reciprocate those feelings herself. Lee obviously received those feelings from her, because the next moment he was kissing her. She didn't stop him. They sat in the dirt and kissed until the sun had sunk below the horizon. Lee looked into Kestra's eyes in the light of the moon. He smiled.

"Come back to Pegasus with me," he said.

"Ok," she said softly. Lee pulled her into an embrace and laid back on the ground. As they looked up at the stars, both Kestra and Lee could feel their own love and longing mirrored back to them. Their telepathic link placed them in perfect sync with each other.