Laura laid in her makeshift bed with Billy holding her hand. She watched as he tried to fight exhaustion. He would nod off and just as his head hung he would jerk back awake.
"Billy," Laura said weakly. "Go to bed."
"Madame President. . ." Billy started to argue but stopped when she mustered up the strength to give him her best glare.
"Please." Laura's glare broke into a sad smile. "See you in the morning."
"Yes, Madame President." Billy's eyes filled with tears. He knew he wouldn't see her in the morning. At least not alive. He surprised her with a kiss on her forehead. "Goodnight, Madame President."
"Goodnight, Billy." Laura's own eyes welled up as she watched him walk away. He switched the light off walking out.
Laura laid awake waiting for death to take her. She was ready, but she wasn't.
Laura was ready for the aches and pains to stop. The cold that had settled in her bones to go away. The shaking of her hands and lack of strength in her whole body to stop.
But Laura wasn't ready to let Baltar take her place. She was ready to let go of the dream of earth. She had failed her people. She wasn't ready to let go of the ones she grown fond of.
Would Billy become President one day? Would Lee and Kara quit fighting the attraction for each other and finally give in? Would Bill miss her? What if she hadn't been sick? Would they have. . .
Laura closed her eyes. She didn't have time to dwell on what could have been. She was too tired for that. Tired of trying to control the things she couldn't.
Ready or not, Laura was dying. Eaten from the inside out. Any minute she would take her last ragged breath.
Laura's thoughts we broken when she heard someone walk into her private quarters. She knew those heavy foot steps. She felt another blanket added to the ones covering her before covers lifted. A large body climbed in next to her. She knew the arms that circled her. She knew the body that the heat came from.
"Bill. . ." Laura groaned.
"Sshh." Bill knew what she wanted. He gently moved her so she laid on his chest. "I heard your teeth chattering all the way on Galatica. I brought you my blanket."
"Thank you." Laura smiled.
"Any time, Laura." Bill kissed the top of her head. "Go to sleep. You need your rest."
Laura closed her eyes again. She felt his warmth circle her. The heat easing the pain. Something more than sleep was taking over. In his arms, Laura was ready for anything. She knew she was safe. Her people and her new adopted family would be safe with Bill Adama leading them.
Laura was at peace.