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Adama did not handcuff Sharon but as they stepped into Roslin's office he suddenly wished he had. He trusted Sharon more than just about anyone on Galactica did save Helo. Still, this was the life of Laura Roslin they were talking about. He knew how much the thought of something happening to her affected him, and, on the reverse side, he knew how much it hurt to learn someone you cared about was responsible for the death of your child. Adama had forgiven Kara, but their relationship before hand had been strong. In order to achieve forgiveness Adama had to muster nearly all of his willpower. Sharon was strong, but was she strong enough to forgive someone she had every right to hate. Adama wasn't so sure.
"Admiral, Lieutenants," Roslin greeted once they stepped through the door.
Sharon and Helo both saluted the President. She nodded in acknowledgement but didn't return the salute. Adama was a bit aggravated at that.
Roslin stood in front of her desk and Sharon rapidly approached her which caused Adama and Helo to exchanged worried glances. Sharon stopped a few steps in front of Roslin and only a split second later Adama was standing by Roslin's side sending a warning glare to Sharon not to try anything stupid.
Sharon was sending her own hate filled look at the President. Helo put his hands on his wife's shoulders and the cylon relaxed a little.
"What was it you needed to speak with us about," Roslin asked, her tone bitterly chilled.
"I want you to know, I would have excluded you if I could have," Sharon replied in the same freezing voice.
Adama was not sure whether Sharon was being considerate or insulting. He decided he better move things along. Tensions were running high. In more than one way actually, as he was standing quite close to Roslin.
"What do you mean?" Adama asked the Raptor pilot.
Sharon glanced between the two of them.
"There are five models we never talk about," Sharon began.
Roslin tilted her head to one side and Adama nearly felt her hair brush his shoulder.
"One of them visited me last night. Model number two. The second human cylon ever created," Sharon explained.
"Cylons aren't human. Why do you never talk about five models?" Roslin stated and then asked.
"I'm not going to tell you what you don't need to know. Two had a message I was asked to deliver to both you and the Admiral," Sharon said, letting Roslin's comment about cylons slide.
Adama was sure Sharon took it as an insult but he was relieved she did press the point.
"Two is in the fleet?" Adama questioned, unnerved to know reneged cylons were running around his ship.
"Yes. But don't worry, Two won't attack you. I'm actually not sure how I feel about being contacted. There are no duplicate copies of Two anymore because we considered that model defective. Human lover is what some of us said. I guess I've crossed that line now," Sharon answered, her voice a little sad.
Adama truly felt for the girl. She had abandoned her own people to save his a dozen times and yet she still had to prove herself everyday. Such was the nature of being a cylon.
"And what does this model Two have to say to us that is so important?" Roslin asked a bit smugly.
"Two knows things about the cylons that even I don't. We are entering a section of space filled with hidden mines. Two gave me this map," Sharon explained and unfolded a small map she had tucked away in her pocket.
Sharon moved past Roslin and bent over the desk spreading the map out in front of them. Adama leaned over Roslin's shoulder to see a wide star chart marked with red dots.
"All the mines are marked in red," Sharon said and backed away from the table.
Roslin turned around and Adama continued to study the map for a moment before he faced Sharon again.
"The Admiral trusts you Lt. Valerii, which gives me reason too, but we know nothing about this Two, who is living among us, who is a threat to our fleet, and we are expected to trust it blindly?" Roslin asked shaking her head slowly and giving the facts boldly.
"You can follow the map or not. I really don't care. I'm just delivering the message," Sharon said, her voice rising a bit.
"Here's another one," Sharon snapped.
Adama narrowed his eyes as he watched Sharon but by the time he guessed what was about to happen it was too late. Sharon's open hand hit the side of Roslin face with a loud crack, nearly sending Roslin stumbling to the ground. Adama caught her arm and with her other hand she balanced herself with the desk.
"I hope you burn in Hell for killing my baby you frakking bi—"
Sharon couldn't finish because Helo had her by the waist and was pulling her away from the President. Adama wanted to discipline his officer but he was too concerned with Roslin's well being to focus on anything else.
"Madame President, are you—" he started but Roslin shook of his hand and lifted her head up to face Sharon.
Adama saw the swelling red mark covering a good portion of her face. She needed ice, and to see Dr. Cottle.
"Lieutenant," Roslin began step closer to Sharon. "You husband has already confronted me on this issue. Let's settle this now. It was never my intention for your child to die. When I was dying I believed the abortion of the child to be the best thing for the fleet, but I am fed up with the two of you doubting my motives. Your child saved my life and if you think that doesn't affect me then you can stop being naive. If you think your child stood a better chance of survival being raise by you out in the open, then being raised in secret you're living in a dream. The cylons were after her, and we kept her hidden and safe for as long as we could. I'm sorry for your loss but it's done now and I have no regrets about it. Is that understood?"
Adama watched Roslin with admiration and a little fear. She certainly had guts when she needed them. This side of her always surprised him but it's what made her different than any woman he had ever met before.
Sharon fell back into Helo's arms and sunk lower and lower as Roslin spoke. By the end of the speech Adama saw tears starting to form in the cylon's eyes.
"You're sorry," Sharon said softly, the tears making their way down her porcelain face.
Helo's jaw clenched as he held his wife.
"All we ever really wanted was to hear you say it," Sharon told the President.
Adama could see Roslin was a bit surprised by the revelation. Calmly and in each other's arms Helo and Sharon exited the President's office.
Silently Adama watched them go and from the way Roslin stood in contemplation he perceived that maybe Sharon had done a bit of good in proving to the President she was capable of human feeling. He turned to see her cheek darkening in color and reminded himself to throw Sharon in the brig for striking a superior officer. Perhaps, not all that much progress had been made. Too much hatred on both sides, Adama thought silently.
"You need to see Dr. Cottle," Adama softly said.
Roslin lifted her chin.
"I'm fine," she replied, her voice low.
Stubborn woman. He walked behind her desk and into the next room. He found the ice cabinet and wrapped a few large cubes in a white towel. When he came back Roslin was still standing in front of her desk with one arm folded around her middle and the other on her cheek. She was looking down at the map.
"Sit down," he motioned as he walked over to the couch.
She did as she was told without hesitation. Once they were both sitting he brush her hair behind her ear and gently placed the ice filled towel against her cheek. She covered his hand with hers and he slide his away when she gripped the towel.
"Feel better?" he asked.
Roslin smiled slowly.
"No, actually, that hurt like hell," she said.
Adama smiled and looked down at his hands clasped in front of him.
"Sharon always did have a mean right," Adama replied.
Roslin sighed and let her body go limp as she sunk down into the sofa.
"Do you think I did the right thing?"
Adama looked over his shoulder and saw Roslin slouched down on the couch with the ice on her bruised face. He slouched down beside her and things almost felt like they had on New Caprica.
"The right thing? Sometimes it's hard to know the right thing," Adama said.
Roslin closed her eyes and turned her face away from his. A comfortable silence filled the air. The only sound Adama could hear was Roslin's quite steady breathing.
"I told Tyrol."
He took in the words and let them fill the space between them. This was not a conversation he wanted to rush. So much of their relationship seemed rushed lately. He was enjoying the slower pace and more relaxed atmosphere.
"And?"
Roslin's breathing changed as she inhaled rapidly. He knew before she even spoke things hadn't gone well.
"He thought it was a joke," she said and forced a small laugh.
"He needs time to adjust," Adama said, hoping to sooth her with his words of comfort.
He stole a glance at Roslin and saw her eyes were still closed but her lips were curved into a smile. His head turned forward and he let himself relax enough to close his eyes. If Tory walked in on them again she would probably crap a Viper.
"I wonder if we could ever have a real relationship," Roslin questioned not really to Adama specifically.
"With the way things change in the fleet, anything is possible. I'm hoping to recruit his son someday, you know, make sure things keep running, but I think he's a little young yet," Adama mused.
Roslin chuckled lightly at his joking and then gasped.
"Gods, Bill, that's my grandson," she said with alarm. "I'm too young to be a grandma."
Bill opened his eyes and looked over at her. She was still snuggled into the sofa, her eyes still closed and the small smile still on her face. When you're that beautiful age is irrelevant, he thought but decided best not to say it out loud.
"When will you be joining me in that rank?" Roslin teased.
He shifted his position and sat up. He let his elbows rest on his knees. The couch moved and he felt Roslin sit up next to him but he didn't look at her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up anything unpleasant," Roslin said, her tone serious.
Adama ducted his head and began to finger his ring.
"Lee is having some…problems," he replied.
"I know," Roslin admitted.
Adama glanced and saw her looking guilty. She had removed the ice bundle from her face and it rested in her hand.
"I accidentally overheard him talking to Kara," Roslin informed.
Adama nodded and leaned in to look at the bruise on Roslin's face. Sharon smacked her good. Her eye was only a little swollen but her cheek was already turning black and blue.
"How bad is it," Roslin asked, watching him watch her.
"You're going to have a great time explaining that to the press," he said with a smile.
"As if I don't have enough to explain to them," Roslin shrugged.
"The play," Adama said.
She put the ice back up to her eye and shielded her self from his gaze.
"The play," she repeated.
He waited. This was her territory now. He made a fool of himself last night by all but confessing how he felt. He wasn't about to do it again. He wasn't about to be her Adar.
"What do you think about the map?" she asked, changing the subject and doing nothing to hide it.
"It's not a map," Adama said.
This gained a look from Roslin. He saw she was all President again.
"Not a map? What then?" she asked, her one eye was open wide in surprise. Adama shook his head.
"I'm not sure, but, look, I'll show you," he said getting to his feet.
He walked over to the map on the desk and pointed at the red marks.
"This looks like some kind of firewall code for a computer system. I'll have to find out what Lt. Gaeta can make of it," he explained.
Roslin leaned against the desk and narrowed her eyes as she looked just above his shoulder.
"Why would the cylon tell us it's a map," Roslin questioned.
"Why would the cylon lie to Sharon," Adama returned.
Roslin smiled and looked at him out of the corner of her eyes.
"Maybe the cylon didn't trust Sharon or maybe Sharon was lying," Roslin suggested.
Adama took the map and started to fold it hoping that Gaeta could help unlock some of their questions.
"Let me know if I can do anything to help with Tyrol," Adama said before starting his march toward the door.
"Wait, Bill, we have something else to discuss," Roslin said and sat the towel down on the desk.
She folded her arms in front of her. All of the sudden she had become a pillar of seriousness. He waited for her to continue.
"I will have to face the press, tomorrow, actually. I need to know what to tell them, about us," Roslin informed.
"There is no us," Adama replied, and even to his ears it sounded a little heartless.
Like a denial of everything special they had ever shared, which, when he looked back added up to quite a bit. Roslin narrowed her eyes, and lifted her chin in exasperation.
"Let's not be coy," she ordered. "Tory was right. If the press had seen us last night…"
Adama was surprised that Roslin didn't finish the thought. She was trying to pull her high-and-mighty card but she couldn't quite manage it in dealing with something so personal.
"Alright," Adama began, "what is it exactly you want to discuss?"
This was her conversation so let her direct it, he thought not daring to try and steer it himself.
"It's a matter of time, Bill. I think we both know it. New Caprica…"
Again she trailed off, losing a bit of her presidential make up.
"I think we should define the parameters of our relationship," she stated. "If I tell the press there is nothing between us, then I want that to be the truth."
"What other option is there?" Adama asked.
In his mind they had to deny it to the press even had it been true.
"There is no other option," she replied. How typical.
"Fine. I guess where done here," he said.
He wanted to leave now. As much as he hated to admit it, his heart was being crushed by the directness of her questions.
"Oh," Roslin said, unfolding her arms and placing them on her hips. A look of frustration settled on her bruised face and she took a few solid in a circle.
"Frakitall, Bill, we are in love. We both know it and we have to deny it to ourselves and to the press."
Adama wasn't really surprised by her outburst or her words. He was able to maintain his cool outward exterior but on the inside he was doing a happy dance. His mind was singing, Laura just said she loved me! Not Tom Zarek, not Richard Adar, but Bill Adama. That is who Laura loves.
"Is that so," he asked, not letting her see any of his emotions. That would be far too dangerous right now.
"It's true on my end anyway," she mumbled putting a hand to her forehead.
He waited a beat before answering.
"I think you already know it's true for me as well," he replied.
She lifted her head suddenly and made eye contact with him from across the room. A large smile took over her lips. Adama was helpless to do anything but smile back just as imprudently.
"Okay, now that we have that settled," she began and ducted her head.
Adama suspected she was trying to hide the blush that was creeping up her neck.
"I will deny everything to the press. They might pester us for a while but when they realize the play is a work of fiction and there is no evidence to support it they will back off," Roslin explained as she paced back and forth in front of her desk.
"We just have to make sure not to give them evidence," Adama suggested, surprised at how knowing she loved him made him willing to do just about anything, even give up his time with her.
"For the time being, we need to be sure not to meet privately, unless an aid or advisor is with us," Roslin added to his idea.
"Perhaps, we shouldn't see each other at social events either," Adama remarked, enjoying being in the room with her even if it was to be one of the last times alone with her for a while.
"No, actually, I don't agree," Roslin replied with a bright smile.
Adama wasn't sure how she was about to reason out this one. Solidly he stood his ground and waited for her to impress him. She took the challenge readily.
"If we avoid each other, the press may think we have something to hide. I believe, the best way to stop the rumors, is not only to see each other often at public events, but I think we should attend the play together," Roslin said, in a tone boarding on flirty.
"I see," Adama said nodding his head and smiling slyly at her.
Roslin pretended to be innocent at her words.
"Sometimes hiding out in the open is the best way to fool the press," she launched in again, "If we are seen together, especially at the play, some of the novelty will wear off and the fleet will see we have nothing to hide."
"But, we don't have anything to hide," Adama interjected, making sure to be clear on that issue.
He respected Roslin too much to allow her the shame that would come if they entered into an affair and where caught. Adar didn't respect her enough. Adama refused to leave a cloud of guilt and deceit hanging above her head like Adar had.
"So," Roslin said, meeting his eyes.
"So," he replied, looking at her.
He hoped she could see behind his eyes exactly what he would do right now had he not been Admiral and she President.
"Let me know what you learn about the map," she said and swallowed hard.
"Take care of that eye," he replied.
She smiled faintly, sadly and reached for the ice pack. He walked to the doorway and stopped inside of it. With a smile he turned and looked up from shoe to head.
"You'll need it for our continued eye-frakking," he joked, unable to resist.
He was rewarded with a lovely sight. Roslin leaned forward, her hair falling over her shoulders as she snickered. When her head lifted up she gave him the most seductive stare he had ever seen.
"It's good for me too, Bill," she replied.
He smiled and left her office floating on a cloud of good feeling happiness. Tory politely wished him a good day as he walked by her and his sudden bubble of happiness was gone. Truly, the situation was more impossible now that their feelings were out in the open. He doubted if they would ever talk again as they had. Now the facts where known Adama knew both he and Roslin would be more careful in their relationship. Was it better to know she loved him and lose the more intimate side of their relationship or was it better to be constantly wondering but much closer to her? One thing Adama was sure of, there was no going back now.