A/N: This bit was inspired by a story I've read some time ago. It was nice, but I felt I wanted to say something different with similar starting point, so here it is :)

There was an eerie calmness in the room, when Colonial One took off from the surface of New Caprica. Most of the people present sat down, even if on the floor, waiting if the evacuation would proove possible for them. It was known that Galactica and its pilots angaged the cylons, but nobody was mistaken - this could still very well end in a disaster.

Laura Roslin sat behind the presidential desk, or what used to be one before Baltar, and kept clutching her worn diaries like a lifeline.

"At least let us reach Galactica, oh Lords of Kobol" she prayed in silence. "If we've got to die today, let us die in space instead of that blasted piece of land..."

Colonial One flew upwards and upwards, shaking from time to time from whatever was happening outside. They could see the sea of smoke and fires, but Laura refused to look directly. She smiled and nodded to whomever was watching her, hoping to build strength and assure that everything would be okay in the end. When something blew up particularly close the whole ship rattled and threw people to the ground. Laura hit her head pretty hard and managed to haul herself up only when she heard a child's cry nearby.

"Everyone allright?" she asked when she wobbled to her feet. Gods, it was a blessing she wasn't wearing heels right now. She looked over everyone and saw them nodding, but the sound she heard earlier seemed weird, whenshe didn't see any child in the compartment. "Tory, where's that cry coming from?"

"What cry?"

Tory seemed shaken, but she looked like she managed to stay upright unlike most of the passengers. She just shook her head, but Laura couldn't shake the feeling the sound was still there. And after another shake, when the rest of them were still getting back to their places, she heard it again. For once, Laura just left her journals and went to where the sound came from. Or at least shere she thought it came from. It stopped suddenly and she was about to go back, when she sa the slight movement doem the curtaing that used to be her privacy wall but was now shoved aside.

"Sorry, sorry, I need to get there." She moved through people sitting by the bulkhead and grabbed the railing, when the shole ship shook again. The time seemed to pass much slower, when all you wanted was for the start to be over. "I need to see what't in there."

People moved, she moved and pulled at the curtain but it didn't move. It might have been just stuck, but it ws pulled back a moment later. Laura sat downe na dclutched the timy bundle that became obvious after a moment.

"It's all gonna be all right, sweetie" she said, encircling the weeping child that she was now sure she ddn't just imagine. "Tory, need your help." She waitted. "Tory!"

That seemed to snap her former aide to attention and make her move. Tory grabbed the curtain and yanked it from the fastenings, then pulled if from between Laura's hands. Then ducked when Colonial One shook again. Laura was left with a crying, dirty bundle of oversized clothes and tangled red hair that instantly clutched her clothes.

"It's okay" she said and started stroking the little girl's hair. "We're gonna be safe soon. Admiral Adama came for us. He will make sure." She looked up and found all the eyes lookig to her like when she was first declared the dying leader. She nodded. "Admiral Adama came for us and he'll get us off this hole."

The time went by incredibly slow. It must have been no more than minutes until they were all outside the atmosphere and jumping, but it felt more like hours. Another hours until the captain confirmed the number of ships that made it to the rendezvous point. He came in and recited a list like it was a time before New Caprica.

Laura was, however, waiting for one name that took much longer to appear on the wireless.

"Galactica just jumped in!" came through the wireless and only then Laura was able to release the breath that seemed to be stuck in her lungs. She didn;t hear anything else, but she knew they wouldn't stay here for much longer. They had to jump away and fast, not to leave a trace for the cylons.

"Laura... Laura! Madam President!" She snapped and looked up at Tory. Her former aide was looking at her waiting for something. "You should get up."

She nodded and looked at the child. "Hey, sweetie, we need to get up" she whispered. "I'm gonna stand up."

She felt small fists just clutch her tighter and blessed her flat shoes once more in a single day. She was able to ignore her joints and muscles protesting and lifted the child on her way up. Tory steadied her at the end and helped get into the chair that somehow stood still empty after she vacated it.

She didn't know how long it took. All she knew was she was clutching the little child in her arms, when she felt a change in the flight, besides the jumps that happened just after the rescue. It was familiar and after several moments it became clear to her that Colonial One was landing in Galactica. She tore her eyes from the diaries that became her refuge and managed to get herself up after almost all the ship was empty. Thank gods for Tory, she wouldn't be able to stand had she spent that whole time on the ground.

"You should go too" she said, seeing Tory lingering behind. "I know where to go. I'll be fine."

All the doors were open and even from the inside she could feel the familiar smells. There was also a happiness that wafted in almost immediately. She definitely wanted to go out, but suddenly she felt so tired she didn't know ow to get up.

"Where is she" she heard a familiar voice calling.

Somebody must have show him to the compartment, because she soon felt his presence.

"Ma'am?"

"It's really good to see you, capitain Agathon" she said, using every shred of strength she had to move. Then she hugged him. "Really good to see you okay."

He stiffened for a moment, then looked at her.

"Ma'am, are you okay?"

"Yes." Although it seemed a lie at this point.

"The Admiral was looking for you, ma'am. I would like to escort you to his quarters if that's okay."

"I know the way, captain, go celebrate with your friends."

And after all the years she did know where to go. She moved up and left the Colonial One, then moved, choosing the way that involved the least amount of ladders that would really slow her down. She arrived at the familiar hatch after several minutes and nodded at the guard stationed there as if he was an old friend. The guard banged at the door and soon those opened to reveal Bill disorinted. then he saw her and they both smiled.

Bill watched laura with baited breath. It was so long after they've seen each other and ye it felt like just a few days since they last talked.

She stepped into his space as if into her own, but hesitated after only a few steps.

"Who is this?" Bill asked, putting one of his hands on the back of the little girl.

"Sephora" came the small voice from the child.

"I was not able to get her to say anything before" Laura said. "I know we'll need to find her family, but for now... She was hiding in Colonial One when we were leaving."

He smiled at Laura and moved for the child. He managed to wrap his arms around the littel girl and lift, transferring her into his arms.

"I will take care of her if you'd want to use the head." he said. "You look like you need a bath."

"Oh, gods, a bath..." she whispered and closed her eyes.

"Or you might skip a bath and use the rack instead."

There was no innuendo, which might be there in other times. He was exhausted and he probably wouldn't start with how exhausted she might be with all the time on New Caprica before the exodus. Laura looked like it. She was stiff and so far from the expressive woman he knew that it hurt and he didn't even scratch the surface. she moved to the head and closed herself in, but then didn't give a sign of life for several minutes.

"Laura?" he asked through the door. "Laura, are you okay?"

He decided to leave the little girl, who managed to fall into a deep sleep in the meantime, on the couch to rest, and knocked on the door to his private head once more. the door was unlocked when he checked it. It turned out Laura only made it to the sink and stood there staring into her reflection with absent eyes.

"You might want to lie down after all, Laura" he said and steped closer. He touched her on the arm and was shocked to see her jump. "It's me, Bill" he whispered, then waited for her to look at him.

"Bill... I'm sorry." She was clearly disoriented. "It's just been a long time since I've seen a mirror and I..."

"No need to explain, Laura. Just listen to me and come sleep."

"No" she said after a moment and a deep breath. "I need to wash at least." She turned her head, looked at him with a smile and put a hand on his arm. "I won't take long, I promise."

He suspected it was too much to expect her too soon. He made sure to leave the door a breath unlocked for safety and went to his desk. It took him a moment to run through the day's events and think about everything he needed to do before sleep. He looked at the still sleeping child in his rack and sat in his chair. There were still some things he might as well work through in the meantime.

She was sitting on a small bench that someone was wise enough to put there. She felt him enter and smiled.

"I'm sorry, couldn't stop myself from stealing this robe." She tucked it closer over herself, eager to feel something that didn't scratch to provide warmth. This was heavenly delicate and fluffy. "I debated wearing back my clothes, but I just didn't want to go back to that."

"I'll have them taken care of. Now come with me." He came closer and bent his head when she loked up at him.

"I... might not be able to get up, you know?"

It led her to small, almost inaudible giggles. All the insanity and absurdity of this situation was slowly seeping through to him. He reached for her and helped her get up and then, with his arm around her slowly led her out.

"I was so angry, at first, you know" she murmored into his chest after stopping him in the corridor. "I was so disappointed, when we head that you jumped away. It took mi a day or so to understand that I was just angry at them that you were forced to. Then I was just glad that you managed to get Lee and flee. That at least Galactica and Pegasus, with what meagre population it held, were able to survive."

"Laura, I never intended to leave any of you. You should know that."

"I know" she smiled and patted him on the arm. "It was the cylon brother, Cavil, that made it sound like you just didn't care about us on the ground, but after the initial scare subsided I understood you kad no choice. Not with nobody prepared and the element of surprise and all the preparation on their side."

"It's been a long few days and really tiring few months, Laura, you're not able to stand. Let's get you to bed and we can talk about it later, ok?"

It was a perfect testament to her tiredness that she didn't protest any more and just let herself to be laid down on his rack.

"I just want you to know, that I though abou you every day and I was sure you were ot there, working on a way to get us out of there."

"I was" he said, but he was sure she didn't hear it. She was asleep second after her head hit the pillow. The little girl was still occypying the couch and it would probably wake her if he tried to move her, so he decided on the armchair for himself instead.

She woke slowly and opened her eyes to a surpisingly familiar surropundings. First she would say it was a dream and a memory, but then she felt movement against her. A moment later a mop of unruly dirty blonde hair tucked itself into her arm. Istinctively she tightened her arm around the girl, then squinted her eyes to try and decipher, what was happening.

"Here."

Bill! Bill Adama was standing by the rack, holding something towards her. She moved her hand and was relieved to get her glasses and put them on. Everything just made sense right then. The rescue had happened and she was safely aboard the Galactica. Well, safely as one could be n the run from cylons, but still. She could finally take a moment, not watching over her shoulder every damn time.

"It's god to see you, Bill" she said, hoping her tone would convey all the relief and gratitude here and there.

"I hope you are hungry."

That was the pure William Adama - practical to the core and showing his feelings through actions instead of words. She would have liked to look at him and the steaming cups he was already preparing on the table, had it not been for the child that sh had in her arms.

"Who is she?" asked Bill, prepping a glass with something thick hat was probably intended for the little girl. "I was curious before, but now... She woke up in the night and wouldn't calm until I let her join you."

"I don't know. She hid away on the Colonial One. Must have goten separated from her family in the commotion and that was the first place she fled to. Thankfully Balar was long gone and she found herself a secluded spot. We found her when we were already in the air and I didn't know what to do with her after. So, I just took her with me. I still don't know, why she would trust me off all people. She wouldn't let go.

"Miss Laura?" the child stirred and moved her fists to her eyes. "Is it morning? But it's still dark outside."

Then it struck Laura that she did indeed know this child. How could she ever forget the little girl. Laura looked up and saw Bill waiting with raised eyebrows for the answer.

"It's okay, Misha, we're on Galactica now and safe." She looked into girl's wide eyes and smiled to give her support. Then slowly moved up to sit and just realized she was wearing nohing but a soft, long worn robe. She puled the sides closer together and saw Bill avoid looking at her, probably to give her some comfort and privacy. Good gods, she missed this man lie crazy in those last months. "We should get up."

"If you want to get her washed, I got one of the nuggets to track down one set of clothes that you might be able to use for her." She nodded. "It's in the head."

"Thank you so much, Bill." She moved past him, resisting the urge to hug him. "Was there, by any chance, any set for me?"

"Remember the suits you left here? I had them pulled from storage and you can choose anything you want. They are hanginh on the door."

"Thank you, Bill, really..."

"Get ready for breakfast."

It was strange to see her old suits from her presidential days hanging there for her. Her only three outfits from before would have to stay with her all the time. Or not really, since she ceased to be the president long ago. A small voice brought her back.

"Miss Laura" Misha pulled on her hand "will you help me?"

The little girl must have been really confused, when she saw the utilities here. It wasn't even close to what was installed on New Caprica, even though it was bilt and serviced by the same people, and Misha was too small to remember anything else. So Laura helped her and left her to tend to her teeth when she took another shower, short and hot this time, to maximize the relaxing effect when Bill was undoubtedly waiting for them. When she helped Misha dress in the seriously oversized top and surprisingly not that oversized pants, she let her run into the room and closed the door to dress herself. Somehing was under the suits and she saw her new caprican clothes all cleaned and dried if she needed them. Tears sprung to her eyes. It was hard too choose. There was also a slip of red fabric that she though she would never see again. It was strange to put it on, but it felt even better than she anticipated. She felt good and vibrant. She felt happy.

When she finally opened the door and left the head, it took his breath away. She decided to walk barefoot and that looked great on her together with the red dress she wore on the Groundbreaking. Almost like he remembered her from that day, except maybe how she must have lost a lot of weight in the meantime.

"I thought I sold it down there" she said, coming to sit by the table, where the two mugs and a glass were prepped for them.

"I know. Then I bought it from the vendor. It held too many memories to just let it go." He looked her in the eyes and she felt hot again all of the sudden, remembering the night they spent together. "I got us some tea."

"And cocoa!" Misha explained happily, jumping up and down.

Bill just reached out and stabilized the cup and thankfully nothing spilled. Laura took it and moved to the table when Bill got them the plater of some kind of bread and crackers. But he had something else planned for her. He left it for the last moment. He deposited a covered plate and waited for her to digest that it was something special. She looked at him questioningly.

"I hope you like noodles" he said at last. Then waited for her, but nothing happened. "I would dig in whwile it's still hot."

He watched her pull the cover up and her eyes lit up. He took the cover and deposited it on the floor, then dug into his bowl. For him it was a good meal even if nooddles weren't most common breakfast food. Watching Misha eat with gusto was nice. It was extremely good to see Laura slurping the meal in almost pure bliss on her face. She was much thinner than when he last saw her and the oversized sweater she came here in disguised most of it. The earthy pallor seemed to slowly lift from her face even though the artificial sourroundings weren't most condictive to tan or skin coloring.

"Bill..." she asked after finishing "do we know how many made it out from the planet?"

"Several ships were lost in the exodus. There are still reports being collected and tracing all the people will take some time."

"So many died right there, Bill, even before..."

He moved to the couch and waited for Laura to make space for him, then just sat and hugged herm when she finally cried. It was a place she could be herself, where she could just unburden in any shape or form she needed at the moment and he was happy she understood that now.

"Many made it up and we need to focus on that." He felt her nod, then leaned back to give her some air. "We'll have some more reports soon. Drink, Laura." He watched her lift the still hot mug to her lips and had to stop himself from groaning, when he heard the contented sigh coming from her lips.

"There was no tea down there the last few months." She shared. "The best we could do was ho water with some plants but it was far from this and far and few between. unfortunately. Fire was better used for other purposes and clear water seemed to be less and less accessible, so loosing it through steam seemed more than wasteful."

"I thought I would wait with this, but you might be well overdue..." He knew he might have started with that, but he was sure she wouldn't mind the gradual build up.

"What's that?" she asked about the other mug he presented from the desk. He just nodded with a smile, watching her with anticipation. "Oh my..." she said after smelling the steam. "You are a godsend, Bill Adama. I haven't tasted coffe since the groundbreaking."

"I had an inkling then that it wasn't that easy to come by. I thought it might help you get ready for the day."

She didn't reply, but it wasn't really necessary. He had only to look at her face to know she was in heaven.

"Is it very good, miss Laura?"

"Oh" she answered with a wide smile. "You have no idea."

"May I try?"

"You wouldn't like it." But it was inevitable that the disappointed baby face would sway her eventually and she put the cup to Misha's lips. The girl cringed feeling the taste and Laura and Bill laughed good heartily. "I told you you wouldn't like it. It's okay, maybe in the future, if there is any left, you might just grow to love it. What is it?" She realised there was something on the table besides their breakfast. A folder he put there first thing after getting it pulled up by Helo.

"I know you and what you would itch to do after waking up. Look at it."

The folder looked thin at first, but the names were written tightly together in small print. Even though, Laura realised what it was immediately. "A passenger manifesto" she breathed out with tears quickly gathering in her eyes. "So few..." And then her watched her realise that all the sheets were pronted over on both sides and she smiled.

"Those are preliminaries, of course" he said. "Those are just confirmed lists that will need expanding as more and more people register on their ships. Some of those are just people other reported to have made it up, so you understand..."

"Even though, this count... I feared it would be worse. With all the people we lost on the surface and the ones that perished during the exodus, this is still something to get me going for a..." he saw her hesitate.

"What is it, Laura?"

"Misha's mother" Laura mouthed, poining to a name on the list and nodding at the little girl, who was eagerly eating right now. So eagerly that Laura had to curb her excitement. "Slow down, sweetie" she said, pulling the loaf of bread from Misha's hand and putting it back on the place. "You'll make yourself sick if you eat too much. How is your tummy?"

He watched her massage the little girl's belly and wandered, how weird the world worked that such a woman has never been granted a kid of her own. He decided to do something constructive in the meantime, waiting. He drank all his coffee in one drink and move to the desk. Opening the folder he looked for the name Laura pointed to him and took the phone, calling for the CIC. It might be a long shot right now, but at the same time it might not and would certainly make Laura and a certain girl happy.

They were waiting for him, when he finally emerged into his sitting room, wearing a cautious smile on his face. Laura was curious to see what happened to make him like that.

"What is it?" she asked.

"You'll see if it pans out."

"Bill?"

She was half furious half intrigued. She wanted to protest, but instead she yawned, even though she knew she rested better than during last months.

"Sorry."

"No need, Laura. You deserve to finally rest. I'll leave you two to do that."

"We've slept a long time. I wouldn't be surprised if we've missed you going or a shift in the CIC in the meantime."

"You should relax. I need to go to CIC now, but you can do whatever you want. I'll leave the disposition at the door so you can come and go as you please without checking in with me."

She smiled and let him leave. Truth to be told she was still exhausted. And Misha clearly was too. Her eyes were drooping even now, just like Laura's were. They would sleep for a moment, then decide. She got her feet up and just laid down on the couch, then felt the little bodu cuddle up to her side.

They woke some time later. Laura looked down at her clotes and it was no wander she was all crumpled. Then it was pretty soon after the exodis and the near extinction of human race - probably nobody would notice. She would have stayed in this limbo for much longer if it wasn't for a drill of Bill's phone by his desk. He was in the CIC and everybody would probably know this.

"Hallo?" she answered, when she managed to extricate herself and get to the desk.

"I hope I didn't wake you?"

"No, Bill, you didn't. I was wondering, who was calling. Is there something wrong?"

"Nothing. But Cottle heard you were on board and asked to see you first thing. From what I know he's already taken back his infirmary. IS everything okay with you? I know I should have asked just after you woke, but..."

"Nothing's wrong. I think he just wants to tak."

"If you say so."

"I do. Don't worry. I'll go to him shortly. You didn't move the infirmary, when we've been away, did you?" She could hear him chuckle on the other end. "Good shift, Bill. we'll see you when you're done."

She wouldn't occupy his time, when the fleet needed it much more. She could hear someone calling for him, all the chaos in the CIC, trying to merge crews and make sense of everything that's just happened, just hours ago. It was good to hear him this frequently, though and she was sure it would take a lot of time to get tired of it.

"Misha, let's come for a walk, okay?"

The girl nodded and Laura had to look for their shoes. While it might be possible to travel through New Caprica, or at least some parts of it, barefoot, it would not be intelligent to do it here. Misha's boots were waiting by the door, cleaned. Then there were Laura's new caprican boots, the ones she got from Bill as a present when going down. There were also one of her heels to choose. Neither proved to tempt her, but it was clear which ones would look more at place with the dress she was wearing. She cringed, putting the long forgotten heels on her feet, holding onto the doorframe for support. It was weird and strangely familiar.

After saying hello to the guards that seemed less than affected by her than by the little girl she was leading they made their way to the Galactica's infirmary, passing crowds of young and older people looking like they were happy to be home. She could understand, she was in the same place emotionally.

"Madam president" said one of the young pilots she remembered from before the New Caprica.

"I haven't been the president for a long time, Leutenant... Constanza, right?"

"It's good to see you back, ma'am, anyway."

Laura smiled and let the young man go on his way, but he wasn't really the last one. A lot of pilots welcomed her - she knew Galactica was mosty her voters, but still, an outpouring of support and good words surprised her. There were, of course, a lot of curious glances at Misha, especially since the little girl seemd to get closer with every new person saying hello. At some point LAura decided to pick her up and carry the girl, since it began to be rather troublesone to walk hand in hand.

The specific bark was the first thing she encountered, even before stepping inside the med bay. The daunting smell of cigarettes was the next. Doctor Cottle was inside and getting back into his domain. The whole place was frantic and filled to the brim with men and women with burns and cuts, probably ones injured during the battle. The medics, however, weren't in a great hurry and the situation seemed to be under control.

"I heard you wanted to see me" she said, when Cottle walked past her, never really seeing her "but I can come back later, if you're busy."

Cottle stopped in his tracks, looked at her, then took out his cigarette, closed his eyes for a minute and looked at her again.

"Young lady, you look almost presidential."

"I would take that as a compliment. You look good too, doctor. I see getting back your stash suits you just well."

Cottle just harrumphed and lifted his hand, then moved to one of the beds to adjust something or other, which Laura preferred not to know. She would rather not spend here more time than necessary.

"I don't have a bed right now, but I would like to take some tests now that I have my equipment back. If you're up to them."

"I have a place to stay if that's what you're talking about."

"Hmmm... I thought you might. And who is this little one?"

"It's Misha. She stole her way to Colonial One and will be staying with me for the time being, until we get in touch with her family. Would you check her out sometime?"

"Ishay!"

Laura smiled at the domesticity of this all. She missed it all.

"Ma'am, it's good to see you well" the paramedic said, coming closer. She was wiping her hands on the go and it seemed like she just tore herself from something much more important. "Where do you want me, doctor?"

"Get the kid checked out. And you, young lady" he pointed at Laura "are coming with me."

She went willingly, knowing that for once it would be just this much easier to just comply. This time, also, she didn't have any pull as she was an ordinary colonial and not a president. He could order her contained and he would do it, she was sure. Especially after the hellhole. Their exam was, however, interrupted by Misha, coming in to Cottle's office with Ishay.

"I'm sorry" the medic said, "but it was really hard to keep her from seeking you. She is fine" she answered Laura's unasked question. "She needs food and vitamins, but that's just the norm alfter New Caprica. But nothing is amiss, as far as I can tell."

"Then she's perfect" Cottle gruffed. "And you are too, young lady" he said, looking at the x-ray he took of her chest. "But I want to see you in a month or two for a checkup, you understand me?"

"It's good to see you're both okay." Laura said and hugged Cottle in a moment of feeling. Then she move to Ishay and did the same. "Thank you for your care here and down there, we wouldn't have made it otherwise."

She left them both a little shocked. Misha skipped beside her and that drew Laura's attention. Then she noticed Misha was eating something.

"What do you have in your mouth, sweetie?"

"Miss Ishay gave me a candy." Misha pushed out her tongue to show Laura a small, pink ball. "She said it has vitagzins."

"Vitamins, sweetie. Although how Ishay even had something like that right now I would never know."

"The lady was really nice. Much nicer than the white man."

Laura nearly burst out laughing. It was a perfectly valid description, now that Cottle could just change into fresh clothes when needed, instead of wearing bloodstained ones. coupled with his white hair... She was just happy the doctor didn't touch on the topic of Misha, just stayed on checking her health.

"Laura!"

She was torn between being happy and not really when she heard, and then saw the familiar face - Tom Zarek.

"Tom, it's good to see you've made it, mister President."

He was in a suit now, she could almost see him as president now. Again, someone so changed by the exodus. He was flanked by two armeed men, no doubt designated to protecting him from everyone who might want him dead after the epic fail of his predecessor. Laura smiled as much as he could.

"Should I know something?" he asked, mentioning to Misha.

"A new friend, that's it."

"Seems like a good friend."

"She will go back to her familiy soon, I hope." She noticed Misha seemed to coil into herself at the mention of her family and hoped she could get her to the mother soon, so that the child can get better. "We're just getting the most of this time now together, right, sweetie?"

Misha nodded, still pushed into her shoulder. Laura was looking at Zarek, tryiung to decipher what he was thinking and how much damage could he do. Then she mentally shook her head. Zarek was not a thretto her right now. She was a normal citizen, justr trying to find her place in a new, post-exodus days, just like thousands of others, many of whom were camping on Galactica. She was just a fortunate one to have a friend with large quarters wwho could fit her in.

"I gather you've got somewhere to stay, and not the makeshift city in the hangar?" He was sooking at her head to toe. "And managed a change of clothes already."

"I had some things stored since they were useless on the ground. I'm just happy they survived."

"Mee too..." He must have recognized the unprofessional tone and took it back the next second. "I mean I'm happy you got out of there alive."

"I know."

There was no use picking a fight and she was suddenly feeling very anxious to get back to Bills room. Thankfully, one of the bodyguards have whispered something to Zarek's ear.

"Sorry, Laura" Tom said, "I would have liked to stay and chat, but there are places I should be right now..."

"Of course, understandable."

This was a saver, she had to admit. Thankfully on their way back she has met a lot of more and less familiar faces, but those seemed happy to see her back. The amount of smiles she got was almost the same as the curious glances interested in Misha. This would probably make it into the crowds soon, but so, she hoped, would the fact that Misha got back to her mother.

Her hopes were not to be disappointed, as at Bill's hatch Helo was waiting with a familiar looking woman.

"Miss Roslin?" She had only to hear that term to recognize Misha's mother, who used to drop and pick her up at the school every day in the morning. "I was told I need to be here."

"Leutenant Agathon" Laura nodded to him. "I'm so sorry, I know you've probably got too much on your head right now. I think I might know what this is about."

"Admiral said you might, ma'am."

"Misha" the woman said at that point, like she just noticed the child. "My baby?"

Misha first turned her head like she didn't know what to think, then looked at her mother and suddely pushed off of Laura and Laura, by sheer luck, managed to set ther safely on the floor before something happened. The kid ran to her mother and both of them couldn't be happier.

"It's nice to see somebody is this happy."

"It is." Laura said as much as she could without bursting into tears. It felt strangely daunting, that she actually had no family to find out, noone to look for on the lists. Just Bill. "I'm sorry to ask you that, leutenant, but... is the Admiral going to be long, you think?"

"I don't know, ma'am, I'm no longer based in the CIC, but I can..."

"No, no, of course not. I will not keep you from your duties. You surely have a lot to do and I'm just keeping you."

"I will take them back to to the refugees camp, ma'am. And" he added with a wink "I will drop a hint to the CIC not to keep him a moment longer than necessary."

She was not able to say anything, because she knew she would burst into tears the second she did. she nodded to the guard positionad at the hatch and thanked him for opening it. It was nice to drop her shoes by the entrance and just move into the living area. She made it to the couch, before saddness overcame her and she burst.

Bill lost track of time and it was Lee, who finally made him realize how late it was. It was another one of the hectic days but some things just couldn't wait and he spent more time with Laura than he probably should have with all the responsibilities he needed attending to. Lee, however, was adamant it was okay and that he needed to get back to his place and take a rest after all the nerves of the exodus. The Admiral planned and executed most of it, now was time to reap the deserved rest. At least that was what Lee said, almost pushing him out the door.

He felt more and more tired with every step. Maybe his son was right? He was old, retirment old at the time of Galactica's decomissioning and now he was another war older. He arrived at his hatch, wishing for only a drink of water and his rack. The guard let him in without a word and Bill stepped into the area on autopilot. It almost caused him an epic fall, when he stepped into a leftover shoe. Laura must be back, he realised. She was not in the front part and he had to walk further in to see her curled up in his favourite armchair. There was, however, no sign of someone else.

"Laura, where is Misha?"

"With her mother" Laura said with a flat voice, that made him worried. "Leutenant Agathon took them back down to the refugees camp."

"What did Cottle said?"

"We're both fine."

He was coming closer only to see her trembling and all the tiredness he felt just moments ago vanished, replaced by adrenaline. "So what's wrong?" he asked, sitting on the armrest. "Talk to me." He knew then it might be a tough moment. She was shaking and crying. He managed to onfold her arms and take a look on her tearstained face. "Lets get you on the couch" he said, pulling her up and towards the wider seat, so he could sit next to her. He hugged her and instantly wished he had removed at least his jacket. It wasn't that he feared hetting it wet, which was happening as soon as he hugged her and let her curl into him instead. He would have preferred to rest on something less rough than the military grade, used and reused uniform. "Hey, it's gonna be fine. We're here, we're together 're fine."

"I don't know, Bill" she managed to get theough her tears. "I don't think anything will be okay anymore."

He started to stroke her back and noticed the material was strange, like torn. He didn't pay much attention to Laura a moment ago, but suddenly decided it might be prudent.

"Let me see you, ok?" He unwound her from him and looked her over. The gorgeous red dress was torn i several places. "What happened. Did someone attack you while you were out with Misha? I know you've seen Zarek, but..."

"Nothing hapened."

It didn't matter what she said. He saw how her hands went absentmindedly to the already damaged dress. She started pulling on the remnants and digging her fingernails into it, like it burned her. He should have noticed before that she was not fine after all. She has always been a beacon of strength, it had to have boundaries somewhere. Now he needed to get her sorted.

"We need to get this off of you, Laura."

"That desperate for company, tonight, Admiral?"

"You're not thinking straight."

"Of course I am. The ones in control are always in need for some fun. Ellen, knew it, some other women knew it, why would I be any different. You might not be Cavil or Simon, but..."

"Laura!" he shook her, but her eyes were not focused and her stare blank like she didn't even see him. "It's me."

"It's always you, Bill..." she broke into tears "and I can't take it anymore..."

Her words turned into gibberish and she swayed. He managed to steady her but noticed how very torn the dress was when he picked her up. She was clearly not herself, living through something that happened to her before and he might have hit himself that he sould have recognized her expressions as what it was - PTSD. He's seen it during the First Cylon War in more than few best and hardest officers, never mind those not prepared and not trained for battle. Whatever it was, he needed her snapped out of it fast, before her rising heartbeat and her dropping temperature did any damage. "If she gets bad, get her into hot shower, that way she will know she's here." Cottle's words from an hour before, when he called, suddenly made more sense. He must have seen the onset. He must have known, what happened to LAura during the Occupation.

It wasn't easy to carry anyone into his head. It was a luxury, a private one, but it wasn't built for couples and any shenanigans, nor this. He managed, however, to get her into the shower. It was hard to leave her alone, when she started shivering in there, but he needed to remove at least some of his clothes first. He prepped a clean robe from a cupboard and stepped into the shower to join her. She recoiled, when he touched her, which was terryfying, but a sign that she was still there and still fighting. this was a good sign.

He started the spray and gradually warmed it, checked it and moved her into it in all her clothes. Everything be damned, he needed her to snap. After several minutes he didn't know what else to do. He was holding her lightly, not to suffocate her, the water was almost scalding and her hair cllung to them like wet leaves. There was nothing else he could think of, besides...

"What were you wearing there. Laura..." She tensed and her hands went to her dress, like she needed to tear it. "Hey, let me help you."

He took off first the wrap that was almost a mess right now, then pulled up the dress and brought her against himself. There was a time he would have desperately wanted to look at her, but now was not the time. Now she needed to get back to him. And slowly, gradually he could feel the tension abate. She almost fainted in his arms, but he kept her upright and under the spray. When he felt sure she was steady enough to stand on her own he reached out for a soap and started helping her wash the anxiety away. He must have done something right, because she started humming.

"Dont stop..." she whispered with closed eyes. She needed that. She put her arms around his neck and melded into him. She was once again warm and supple. "I don't think I can stand any longer" she said into his ear at some point and he just stopped the water and reached for the robe for her, using the towel for himself. "Stay with me?" she asked, when he deposited her on his bunk. "Bill, I... I'm scared." She was still holding his hand, even though her eyea were closed.

"Give me a minute to change." He wanted to get something dry, but she wouldn't let him. he took a deep breath and just went under the covers "Talk to me" he said, pulling her into his chest. "Tell me, what you saw." He could feel her tense, but he touched her hand and she took a deep breath. 'It might help, Laura. As much as it hurts, it will help to talk and face it when you've got someone to get you back if needed. I'll be here no matter what" he added as an afterthought.

"They started rouding us up shortly after you... after they came and knew they won." He worked hard not to tense, so that she would not be bothered by his own shortness, but she must have sensed his problem to stop in the middle of sentence. 'They would vary the time and take different people every time. It would be worse every time the resistance tried to push back, but was bad every time anyway. Zarek got lost shortly after cylons came and we had no idea what happened. People disappeared, children stopped coming to school, at least some of them. i tried to keep them in good spirits, but it was hard, when I sometimes disappeared as well. I know Maya told them I had things to do. Thankfully they never took me from the school, but I cna't imagine what maya and Tory must have felt."

"Did Tory or maya ever disappear like you?" iT was time to interrupt. She was getting a little agitated.

"No, thank gods." I was the only one in the school. Saul was not so lucky. They got his eye..."

"Hey... it's not your fault."

"I heard him scream, when they did it, you know. i was in detention at the time. I don't know if they wanted me to hear on purpose or not."

"You did not break. I know you never betryed the resistance."

"I knew Saul and Tyrol were inside, but I never wanted anything to do with them. So that I cannot betray anyone."

"Saul and Tyrol would have been an obvious choice anyway" he understood. that way she wouldn't be able to identify anyone else, even if she broke. "You did goo, Laura." but he sensed it wasn't all she needed to work through.

"At first it was Cavil that took his time, sick being that he is. Baltar came later, when the suicide bombings started, but he had no idea he was nothing to me after before."

She was slowly working herself into frenzy, but he knew she needed to get through that one worst part.

"Laura, what did Cavil do?"

He had to keep her hands steady and warmed up.

"He would take advantage, showing me familiar faces. He liked to experiment to see what would break me, I think. CYlons like to frak with your mind as well as body."

"He showed you me" it dawned on him. "iT would be me to hurt you in this interrogations."

"I never believed it was you, but when you see something gain and again..."

"I know, Laura, just let it out." He held her, when she cried long and hard. "I'm here, the real me and I would never hurt you."

"I know."

she mentioned being taken several times, so this had happened more than once. If those hallucinations born from frakking with your mind by Cylons was as strong as he suspected, it was no wonder she was traumatised. And it was a marvel she was able to stay here with him without fear. But she was, he deicovered a minute later, fast asleep. Deep and comfortable, restful night's sleep was what she, no, whet they needed right now. Again. Tomorrow would ask them to work again soon.

Laura woke up rested for the first time in a long, long time. She actually didn't remember being this comfortable apart from one night on New Caprica, after the Groundbreaking. Then she realised she has been woken by a shrill of the phone from Bill's office. Bill... well... she smiled.

"I'm afraid we need to come back to life now" Bill said, sitting down on the rack and bending to kiss her on the mouth. "Zarek has called and wants a meeting."

"So go" she reached a hand to carress his still hairy cheek. "I will miss you." she said that and then got serious. she got up and out of bed, reaching for the robe to cover herself and sat at the table, pouring water to two tumblers standing there. she then waited for him to join her at the table and only then breached the topic that need ed to be breached. "He might want to speak about his presidency. You'll need to let him be the president, Bill. He stood up to Baltar and the Cylons and nearly paid for it with his life. He's changed. what?"

"I didn't say he wanted to meet with me. he wants to speak to you."

"Me?"

"Yes, you've been summoned to Colonial One for the evening."

She wasn't happy at the information, but it was probably inevitable. Sooner or later she was the logical choice right now. IT was another thing that she didn't really want this, whatever they had right now, to end. She drank the water and close her eyes to find her equilibrium.

"You're gonna need to loose the mustache, Bill."

"I know."

"I will miss it."

She knew he uderstood her meaning when he came closer and started kissing her neck in a way that left her feeling the mustache tickling her face. It was weird, but a sign of a time they both were free to do what they wanted.

"I will miss this as well, Bill, but you know this is it."

"I know. I will miss it too."

They looked each other in the eye.

"Bill..." He looked at her face and seemed unsure for a moment. She smiled. "Thank you for being with me tonight. I really needed to feel alive once more."

"It was good for both of us. I'm glad we had that moment before we go back to our public presonas and saving the humanity once again."

"Working together again."

"I will go and work on getting you a transfer to Colonial One, Miss Roslin."

When he laft, she felt surprisingly light and heavy at the same time. Almost couldn't understand herelf. There was no time, however, to brood. She needed to get herself ready for the talk. There were two skirts and three blouses that waited for her and a pair of heels by the door. Her new old life. Because Zarek wasn't stupid. He might be a former terrorist, but he certainly knew how the game was played.

And she knew it to. She needed to go back and do her job now that it was calling for her. Happiness never lasted long for her and the holocaust as well as nearly dying didn't seem to change that bit.