XV
Two Weeks Later
The Fleet had settled back into a routine, which, for the moment, didn't include fighting off The Cylons. Pegasus and Galactica had found away to take out all four Baseships that had been been running sentry at New Caprica. No one even halfway in their right mind thought they'd seen the last of The Cylons, but no doubt it had been the biggest victory for Colonial forces since the destruction of the Twelve Colonies.
Kara was still under the care of Dr. Tribe, who was also treating Danny Novacek as well, trying to bring the man back after his tortuous three years being held by The Cylons. As for Kara, she was improving, but there would be a step forward, then a step back. She and Laura had made love a few more times, but Kara also had had a relapse, albeit much more minor, when they were making love one night, forcing Laura to simply hold her wife as she dealt with flashbacks of her captivity and torture.
Dr. Tribe and Admiral Adama were allowing Kara some SIM time, to get back her skills as a Viper jock, if, and when she was cleared, and if she decided to return. Adama was putting no pressure on Starbuck, knowing that getting over something like this was a process. He would have done the same for any pilot.
Today, Kara was in a SIM, while Kat was in another SIM, and they computer linked the two machines, so they could do simulated dog fights and maneuvers. Kat reminded Kara that she hadn't been in a cockpit in almost two years, and to cut herself some slack.
"Damn, Katraine", Kara said, rolling her eyes, before entering the SIM, "you sound like a CAG more and more each day, you know?"
Kat gave Kara a self-congratulatory smile. "I do, don't I?" Kara just rolled her eyes again as they entered their separate rooms.
Kat had been right: the younger pilot took Starbuck to the woodshed-and back-over and over for the next four hours, Kara cursing at herself, but trying to relax, knowing it would come back to her-or so she hoped. When they finished their session, both were sweating and beat, both feeling like they had actually been in real combat, which was the point of the exercise.
"Godsdamn, Kat", Kara said grimly, but with a small grin on her face, "either I've really lost my touch, or you've gotten a helluva lot better as a jock."
"Some of both", Louanne said, with no point of pride, just stating a fact. "Hot Dog and I went thorough a lot when you guys were gone. We were short-handed, and we were pulling a lot of extra duty, even when the Toasters weren't around. You have to either grow up fast, or get killed under those circumstances."
"Yeah, well, after this embarrassment, I'm glad you're not really shooting me down."
The two pilots went to what passed for the Mess Hall on Galactica. Food had never been what it was back on the Colonies, but it was edible, and they could also grab some booze while at it.
When they arrived, the place was crowded, and a host of voices gave Kara a nice welcome. Karl Agathon was the voice that was the loudest.
"Who the hell let you in here, Thrace?" Everyone laughed loudly.
Athena was present with her husband. Kara still wasn't comfortable around the Cylon, for obvious reasons, but Athena had done yoemens work planning and helping to execute the rescue on New Caprica. Kara wanted to give her the chance. She had rolled her eyes when Helo ribbed Starbuck.
"Karl, you dolt", she said with a giggle, "that's her maiden name. Address Mrs. Roslin in the proper way, will you?"
Karl took some good-natured ribbing from the pilots and the mechanics in the room, Kara laughing as he turned red.
"Score one for Mrs. Agathon", Kara said in response, getting a smile from the Raptor ace.
"C'mon, guys", Louanne said, winking at Starbuck, "she'll always be Thrace to us. In here, she's a Viper pilot, and always will be. Elsewhere", Louanne grinned, standing up, "she's the First Lady Of The Twelve Colonies." Kat curtsied, making everyone in the room howl with laughter, this time Kara turning red.
"OK, you knuckleheads, the Viper jock who happens to be The First Lady says the next round of drinks are on her!"
A joyous cry arose, everyone immediately grabbing more booze. Karl made up to Kara by grabbing Kara, Athena and himself a cold one, the three of them clinking their bottles together.
Kat sat back down with Starbuck, already drinking her beer. "Didn't you miss all this, Starbuck?"
"Like a hole in my head, Katraine", Kara said with a laugh. "Actually, yeah, I do miss this-the camaraderie. Down on New Caprica, well, there wasn't a lot of celebrating, to be honest."
"I think everyone had it hard, one way or another", Kat offered, "but what you went through." Kat's eyes took on a haunted look. "Gods, Kara, I can't even fathom what they put you through. I'm so sorry."
"You couldn't have done anything about it, kid", Kara said quietly. "In a way, I'm lucky, Kat: Sam didn't make it back-a lot of people never made it back, and I wasn't the only one who was tortured down there, the gods know."
Kat had suspected Kara had been tortured, but she was not going to pry. That was for Kara to volunteer, not for her to snoop. There had been rumors, but nothing more, that Starbuck had been sexually abused by The Cylons, which turned Kat's stomach. And yet through it, Louanne thought-through losing Sam, being confined twice, being part of the Insurgency, and then finding and marrying President Roslin...despite that Kara seemed like...well...Kara.
"You don't have to say anymore, Starbuck", Kat said, chills running through her. She decided to change the subject. "So, how is life being married to the President and being a mom?"
Kara laughed, thankful to go to a lighter subject. "It's, uh, interesting, to say the least. Laura tries not to bring work home, but, well, we live where she works for now. I'm trying to take on more of the load for getting Kacey to school and back." Kara paused and sighed. "Laura has been an angel through all this, Kat. And Kacey? I don't know what I'd do without that little girl."
Kat studied Starbuck. "You've changed, no doubt about it, Kara, but, also, what is amazing to me, is that in some ways, you're still the same Kara."
Kara shrugged. "I don't know, Kat", Kara confessed. "You can't go through what I did-what all of us, either up here, or down there, went through, and not be changed. I can tell you I don't want to go back to to many of the things I used to be." She looked her young rival square in the eyes. "I have too much to lose, now."
"Well, if you need me to kick your ass some more on the SIM", Kat said, making Kara laugh loudly, "let me know. Once you get your groove back, I won't stand a chance."
"Don't knock yourself, kid. Remember, you took out Scar. You aren't currently number two behind Hot Dog for no reason."
"Either way, we'll be better if and when you come back, Starbuck."
Kara stayed around to eat and drink a little longer. She had to pick Kacey up from school while Laura was playing President, so she didn't want to be inebriated when getting her daughter.
While Kara was drinking and celebrating with her friends, Laura was meeting with the Quorum. She brought up a subject today that she had been pondering ever since The Fleet had fled New Caprica after The Cylons showed up. It was a decision that went against everything that she believed, but she felt their situation now compelled her on this matter.
"Ladies and gentlemen", she said calmly, her hands clasped in front of her as if in prayer, which was her usual manner at such meetings. "As you all know-it's quite visible on the wall near my desk in my office-I have been keeping a running count of the number of people currently in our fleet. We've had a few additions, with births, which are always joyous, but our numbers have fallen by over eight thousand since we were forced away from our homes. We currently have a population of thirty eight thousand and change." She looked at them all, as serious as she's ever been.
"Since becoming involved in public service, I have always held the view that a woman's body is not subject to government legislation. I have always been for the right for a woman to get an abortion. I have also always been a proponent of making sure abortions are legal, safe, and very rare. However, we have reached a point, with our population dwindling-and it will keep dwindling, I assure you", she said with deep emphasis, "that we can no longer ascribe to the concept of abortion. We need to start having babies, and lots of them. If The Cylons don't kill us off, we will kill ourselves off unless we start reproducing, and quickly."
"But Madam President", the representative for Aerelon, who had always been for abortion on-demand, "we can't do that. We don't have the right..."
"Paul", Laura said softly and reasonably. "We have the duty, above and beyond all else, to keep the human race going. We may be out her for another twenty or thirty years, or more. Not only will we need children to keep our population rising, but we'll eventually need them to take over in running this fleet, if we're out here that long. That's simply the cycle of life. We need a new generation to become captains of ships, mechanics to fix our ships, navigators to help plot our course, politicians to lead our people, and military members to defend our people. It isn't going to happen by itself."
Laura got up for a moment, needing to move to reduce her tension. "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, ladies and gentleman. We can't afford the loss of one potential child. We just can't. Now", she said, sitting back down, "I could, under my emergency powers, simply put into effect an Executive Order to ban any abortions for the time being, with a possible jail sentence for someone who breaks that order, or we have two other choices: one, is the Quorum can pass legislation, which I will sign-and which I will take full responsibility for any repercussions, or we can hold a plebiscite, and have the people vote on it."
One representative Laura knew would support her was from Sagitteron. Sagitterons were mostly religious fundamentalist, and could be counted on to see things in a very black and white matter. "Madam President, I don't understand why this isn't the permanent policy of this government? Life is always sacred, and should be protected."
Laura didn't want to be baited. "Mary, I'm not getting in a political debate over abortion. That's not what this is about. If we were to find a home, and could be free of The Cylons, I would eventually want to lift a ban on abortion, because I do not feel that, in normal times, the government has any right or claim on a woman's body. That's her choice. But for now, we simply have no choice. We must start producing more children. I know I will have your support."
The representative nodded, obviously not getting what she wanted.
They debated the subject for an hour, and it was surprisingly civil, considering the subject. Most member were like Laura-they didn't like abortion, but felt the government normally had no business in a woman's decision on the matter. They were facing annihilation currently. They may not make it, no matter what, but if they did, they'd have to reverse their population decline, then increase their population.
When they had finished debating, they had agreed to pass legislation, which the president would sign. It would ban any abortion, save in cases of rape, incest, or if the mother's life was in danger; it would ask all women who could have children to "seriously consider" having a child, even if they did not have a spouse, or even if they were in a same-sex relationship. There would be a penalty for anyone who knowingly had an abortion while the ban was in place. They would revisit the measure in five years, or if and when they found a permanent home.
Laura, Tory, and three chosen members of the Quorum would draft the final language within the next week. Before it became Law, Laura wanted to announce it to The Fleet, and allow people to comment.
The next morning, President Roslin, satisfied with the language of the legislation, stayed on Galactica after she and Kara had safely dropped Kacey off at school, to meet with Admiral Adama, Colonel Tigh, and Commander Lee Adama.
Lee was to become Vice President in under two weeks, his appointment being approved by the Quorum a week earlier. Since he was not officially part of her government yet, she had not included him in the deliberations on this issue. She was more than confident Lee would back her.
She had copies of the legislation for each of them, along with a briefing, as most bills tended to be long-winded. She gave them time to look over the document. All three gentlemen gave her the same, surprised, "wow" look when they had finished.
"You're serious about this?" Sometimes Tigh couldn't stop blurting out, but it was one of the things that made him formidable.
"I am, Colonel", Laura said seriously. "Tell me I'm wrong?"
"I won't", Bill Adama said, sotto voce, making the other three lightly laugh. "I hate to say it, but I agree with you, we have no choice."
"I'm not sure I like it", Lee said uncomfortably. He looked at the growing frown on President Roslin's face. "I didn't say I wouldn't support it, but I imagine there was some pushback from most of the Quorum?"
"There was", Laura said with a knowing smile. "Our esteemed representative from Sagitteron tried to get me to commit to keep such a policy forever and ever, so say we all." She gave them a smirk.
"That's not a surprise", Bill said again in a quiet voice. "I'm like you, Madam President. I don't want too many laws on what we do with our personal, private lives, but we need to start having more children."
Saul looked over at Lee. "You and Dee better get busy, Lee", he said with a sideways look, making Lee blush.
"Yeah, well, I'm sure we're not gonna be immune from Colonel was right. "If I may, Madam President", he said with his own smirk, "where does that leave you and Kara?"
Laura got the question immediately, a blank look coming over her face. Bill Adama snorted a laugh. "What? You didn't think you two would get out of this?"
"Frak", she said.
"That's about the gist of it", Saul Tigh said, not being able to resist. Laura gave him a withering glare, but the two Adama's howled in laughter, which, after a few moments of staring at Tigh, Laura had to join.
"If you three are asking this, I guess my sex life with my wife will be on the minds of many."
"How are you going to deal with women-and men-who don't want to father children? Or woman without a spouse or partner? How will women, or men, in same-sex marriages and relationships have children?"
"We're still working on that part", Laura said calmly. "I would never force a woman or a man to have sex with someone, the gods know, but I'm sure we could get sperm donors, I won't stop anyone, even if they aren't a couple, of engaging in the wild thing, if they do so with consent."
"The wild thing?" Lee snorted another laugh. "I hope those words aren't in the final language, with all respect, Madam President.
"Oh, hush, Mr. Vice-President Elect." She became serious again. "Those are all good points, guys, but this has to be done, or the Cylons will win without firing another shot."
That sobered them all up. "She's right", Saul said with no humor in his voice. "That's how you should present it to the people of The Fleet, Madam President. That will hit home."
"Might I suggest, Laura", Bill added, "that we find some clinical psychologists and get Cottle and the other docs in on this, to come up with how to handle people who aren't in relationships, but might want to have children. I mean, I'm sure you or your wonderful wife won't want to do the, uh, wild thing with a male in The Fleet?"
She glared at Bill, but her eyes twinkled at him, knowing she got it, while Lee and Tigh snorted more laughter.
"A good idea, Bill", Laura said, jotting that down, after the hilarity had died down. "I can ask Dr. Tribe to get a group together. She's been fantastic for Kara. I trust her."
"How's she doing with Bulldog", Saul inquired.
Laura sighed. "Danny is gonna need counseling for a long time, Colonel. He's had more shit happen to him than anyone deserves. I'd love to say he could become a pilot again, because he was obviously a good one, and we could use every pilot we can get-hence this legislation for the future-but I can't see that happening."
"I should have leveled with him when we talked shortly after he arrived here", Bill said sadly. "The whole fraking thing was my fault to begin with."
"We talked about this, dad", Lee said, dropping formalities.
"And so did we, Admiral", Laura admonished him. "Others were involved, so none of that."
"I know, but..."
"No, buts, Admiral", Laura said with force behind her voice. "That's an order."
"Yes, Madam President", Bill said meekly, for once in his life.
After Kara had another SIM session with Kat, she was informed that her wife had already returned to Colonial One, and then would be visiting several ships, in anticipation of her announcement about the re-population of The Fleet. Kara would have to get Kacey back home for dinner.
With the second day of simulations, things began to come back to Starbuck, but she knew she had a long way to go, both mentally and physically, before she would get into a Viper again. She had asked Helo if Athena might give her some time working in Raptor SIM in the near future. Like with Kate, Dee, and Lee, Kara wanted to try and mend some fences. Sharon "Boomer" Valarii had been a good friend of hers before she went all Cylon on everyone. She owed Sharon "Athena" Agathon a chance because of that.
Kacey seemed OK on the short ride on the Raptor, driven by Helo, back to Colonial One, but when they entered their quarters on the lowest deck, Kara noticed something bothering her daughter. First thing she did, however, was have Kacey change out of her school clothes, get her a snack and a drink, and then sit her down at the kitchen table.
"Hey, munchkin", Kara said, gently looking at her daughter, "something bothering you today?"
"A boy at school says I'm not normal 'cause I have two mommy's." She didn't look up at Starbuck. "He said that isn't what the gods intended."
Kara was taken aback that her almost five-year old daughter would hear something like that form a classmate in pre-school. On a ship, like Galactica, where guys and gals who were pilots, mechanics, and whatnot, took showers together, and saw more bodies than they could imagine, and knowing there were both gay and lesbian couples, she couldn't imagine anyone on the ship having such an attitude.
"Kacey", Kara began, still not quite feeling all that smart when it came to being a mother, "there are all types of different families and people who are married or who are in love. I love your mommy very much, but I was in love with, and married Sam before that. There are families with two moms, two dads, one mom and one dad. The only thing that matters, honey, is that you are loved by your mommy and me, and by others like the Admiral, and Lee, and Helo. They're like part of our family, too."
That made Kacey Thrace-Roslin smile a little. "Momma, can I have a little brother or sister someday? Could that happen."
That was one thing Laura and Kara had not discussed, and little did Kara know that they would have a major discussion about that later in the evening. "Well, I'm not sure if I can have any more children, Kace. I got hurt a while back, and I haven't checked to see if I can. And your mommy is a little older than me. Maybe it's something we can think about, OK?"
Kacey happily nodded.
"Just remember, baby", Kara said, kneeling down next to her daughter, "you are loved so very much by mommy and me. You're more important to us than anything in the Universe, and we will do everything to make you happy and safe, you got it?"
"Yes, momma", Kacey said sweetly, moving off her chair to hug Kara. "I love you, momma, more than the Universe."
Kara always teared up when she and Kacey had a tender moment, knowing she never experienced such moments as a child, and determined to make sure her daughter was loved unconditionally. "I love you too, baby. I love you so much."
A little later, Kacey seemed to be mollified, and she helped Starbuck prepare a dinner, not sure when Laura would be home, but knowing she'd be hungry.
It was about 2000 hours, Bill Adama signing some paperwork to finish his official day, then he would relax. As he was finishing up the dreaded bureaucracy, there was a knock on his door.
"Come on in."
The door swung open, and Lee appeared, with a tired smile on his face. "Mind if I come in for a few?"
"No", Bill said with a smile, "take a load off, will you. You know", Bill continued, as Lee took a seat, "I'm kinda disappointed I can't say to you, 'take a load off your fat ass', any longer."
Lee looked his dad with surprise, then saw the look on his face, and busted out laughing. "Oh, I'm gonna get you back for that, dad, you just wait. But, yeah, it feels good not to be a fat ass any longer." Both men chuckled, Bill grabbing two glasses and pouring each some whiskey.
"To not having fat asses", Bill said, Lee laughing. They clinked their highballs together.
"So, off the record, what do you think of the impending legislation that the President talked about with us this morning?"
"Same as on the record. I agree with her. Normally, it's not the government's business what a woman does with her body, but we need to start having kids, of that there's no doubt."
"I agree", Lee said, but quickly went on. "However, people don't like to be forced into such things. It's human nature. Yeah", Lee said with a smirk, "so is wanting to have sex, but there is gonna be some blow back."
"You're gonna be Vice-President soon, son. She'll need you to mitigate the blow back."
"I know, and I'm more than ready to do that, but as I said this morning, there's still a lot of details to iron out. Plus, how do we handle the female pilots? We can't have all of 'em get pregnant at once, and unfortunately, by the time of the third trimester, most won't be able to fit in those cockpits on Vipers. That's not a dig, but a fact."
"Preaching to the choir, son", Bill said, taking a small sip. "Timing won't be as important with civvies, but once this goes into effect, we need to have a plan in place covering essential personnel like pilots."
"That's something I can work on with Laura", Lee said confidently. "You don't think she took offense with what I said about her and Kara? I meant it in jest."
"No, I don't think she did, to be honest", Bill offered. "But it's like you said, it's personal business."
"Kara told me when we were chatting a few days ago that she's not even sure she can have kids. I'm not sure why she said that."
"It probably isn't my place, Lee", Bill advised him, "but when Kara was back on Caprica, on tat crazy mission to get the Arrow of Apollo, she was captured by The Cylons. They took one of her ovaries, and according to Leoben, that's how Kacey is her mother."
Lee almost fell off his chair. "Those bastards", Lee said, his eyes lighting up with anger. "Those godsdamned bastards!"
"That about sums it up", the Admiral said. "Plus, you know what she went through the last time she was held. That's why she's not sure."
"Next time I see a Leoben up close and personal, I'm cutting his balls off." Bill looked at his son with some shock. "I'm serious, dad. That bastard has it coming."
"I'd rather not sink to their level, but if there's two of 'em in front of us, I might take the other one."
"I understand what you're saying, dad", Lee said, frustrated with the situation. "We have to be better, but that's hard to do when every day, you're facing annihilation of the entire race."
"You've got a point. He'll all of us have fractured the rules since we got thrown out here: I tried to overthrow the President, for gods sake; you put a gun to Tigh's head because of that; Laura tried to rig an election because of that. What a fraked-up Universe."
"So say we all." Lee took a belt of his drink, putting the empty container in front of his dad for a refill. "I don't think we'll every have 'normal' again, even if we find Earth, or anywhere else to put down. Not i"f The Cylons are out there."
"All this has happened before, and will happen again", Bill sighed, looking at his son thoughtfully. "Are they right about that? Can nothing change this thousand-year old pattern?"
Lee shrugged. "For all the grief I gave you about Athena, and commissioning her, maybe she can help bridge the gap? If Athena feels that way, you think there would be others."
"Playing Devil's Advocate, who on our side is willing to stop the cycle. After what happened on New Caprica-to Kara, Tigh, and so many others? Hell your pilot Duck blew himself up to stop them. What hope do we have?"
"We have to play the hands we're dealt, dad", Lee said quietly. "Which brings us back to the necessity of what the President will propose."
"Do you feel that the military should take a public stand on this, Lee?" His dad wasn't joking around. Lee was soon to be in the Administration, a heartbeat away from the Presidency, but he had been in the military his entire adult life.
"Like we told the President, we need to work out protocols for our people, especially on Galactica. But, yeah, when she makes the announcement, it might not hurt to have both of us standing near her-you in uniform, me in a suit and tie. I won't be representing the military much longer, remember."
The Admiral nodded. "I'll ask Laura if she wants us there. I might even suggest that Kara and Kacey be there, to make a symbol of all of this."
"What do you think of Kacey, dad?" Lee smiled at his dad, knowing he had always wanted grandchildren. "I haven't had a chance to spend more than few minutes with her. You've spent more time with her."
"She's a handful", he said with a bright smile, "and she has got to be Kara's the way she runs around all the time." They both laughed at that definition of the little blonde. "But she's as sweet as can be. She's damn lucky to have two mom's who are strong, intelligent, and fiercely protective of her."
"I don't want to get on their bad side, that's for sure", Lee said with a smile, then growing quiet for a moment. "Could you ever have imagined Kara and Laura ending up married? I almost fell over when we got the news."
"Never saw it coming", his father agreed, "but when you're in a desperate situation, like they were, you grab love and happiness where you can find it. I'm glad Laura was there for her after Kara's first incarceration, being freed, and finding out Sam had died."
"That's one I can't believe", Lee said with remorse. He and Sam had butted heads, but Lee also respected the guy for his bravery and toughness. "He and I didn't always get along, but he was in incredible shape. That was a tough one to swallow."
"I didn't know him that well", Bill Admitted, "but Kara loved him to pieces, and Laura has told me she was devastated when he died as well. I'm glad they found each other."
Lee raised his glass to his father. "So saw we all."
Laura got home right around 2100, thankful that she was taking, at least schedule-wise, a three-day weekend to recharge her batteries. She was planning to announce the legislation on having children Monday morning, but she had barely had time to breathe since becoming the President again. She needed that weekend.
Kara had been used to having her wife come home most days after Kacey was in bed. Laura hated that she didn't get to see her daughter some days, and it broke her heart. Both of them knew there was really no rest for a President, and Kara always assured Laura that Kacey, even at her tender age, had an idea why Laura was away so much.
Starbuck sat with Laura while she at the dinner that her wife and daughter had made earlier in the evening, and they began discussing their day and the weekend ahead.
Kara was stunned at the proposal Laura had made to the Quorum that morning. Laura had also relayed to Kara her meeting with the Adama's and Saul Tigh.
"You think that'll fly with the people in The Fleet?"
"Whether it flies or not, Starbuck, I think it's a necessity if we're to survive."
Kara nodded. "The numbers don't lie. Hell, I might have taken out thirteen-hundred a long with Lee, with the Olympic Carrier. We could lose a civvie ship any time the Toasters show up. We lost pilots almost every time we have combat. I agree with you, but damn...this is going to ruffle some feathers."
"I know, babe", Laura said with some worry. "I'm going to announce it Monday morning. Bill and Lee are onboard, and if they're onboard, most of the military will be onboard. One less headache."
"Yeah, but I've always been like you-a woman's body is hers, not the government's. But this isn't a normal situation. If we don't start having children, we're fraked either way."
"That's what I told the guys this morning", Laura added. "Saul even said I needed to put it in those terms-if we don't, it won't matter if the Cylons ever fire another shot at us."
"I've given that bastard a lot of grief over the years", Kara said, with nothing approaching humor in her voice, "but he's not a dummy. I think he's right."
"You two certainly came to an understanding on New Caprica?"
Kara nodded. "Yeah, we did", she said gently. "Even after they took his eye, he didn't flinch from those bastards. I don't think we make it without him."
"I don't either. He and I got in a heated discussion before Duck's suicide bombing, but he didn't back down. In the end, I still don't agree with it, but history-if we have one to tell-may show that he was correct."
"Ellen's betrayal almost did him in, but he soldered on", Kara reminded her. "He's been through his own hell."
"He has", Laura said, then they became silent for a minute. After a short pause, Laura slightly changed the subject. "Speaking of my announcement, Lee did bring up a good point-what about you and me?"
Kara didn't get it at first. "What do you mean, what about you and me?"
"If we're going to start having more babies, shouldn't you and I lead by example, my dear wife?"
Kara's eyes bugged out. "You mean...getting pregnant?"
Laura snickered. "That's how you have babies, you know, Thrace." Laura liked to use Kara's maiden name when throwing some shade at her.
"Well, yeah", but...I don't know if I can have any, and you're in your mid forties, honey."
Laura gave her a mock glare. "I'm older, but still young enough to have babies, thank you very much."
Kara rolled her eyes. "Would you want to have a baby? How would we get pregnant?"
"Probably by anonymous, artificial insemination, I would think. I'm not gonna let you frak a guy, and I have no desire to frak anyone but you." That lightened the mood.
Kara sighed. "I think it's time to make an appointment with Cottle for a couple of things?"
"A couple?"
Kara nodded. "One, to see if after having one ovary being removed, and being raped over and over, if I'm able to have any." They both still shuddered in thinking what the younger woman had gone through.
"What's the second?"
"I need to find out if Kacey is really mine."
Laura looked hard at her wife. But she didn't disagree.