2. Back in My Own Very Small Pond

Laura woke to the sound of Tory's voice and for a moment she almost forgot where she was. But that voice referred to her by name now and that one change signified all the others.

"Are you awake, Laura?"

"Yes, Tory," she called out as she forced herself out of bed. "Come in, please."

Laura took in Tory's appearance as she entered the tent; she did this every day, using it as her own personal weather forecast. Only a light sweater today, which meant it was sunny and decently warm. Laura reached for a pair of jeans and a brown turtleneck, quickly getting changed.

"I have the list of students and grade levels ready for you," Tory said from where she stood by the tent flap.

"Thank you," Laura said as she put on a light jacket. "How many are there?"

"Twenty-five who are grade-school aged."

Twenty-five. That number was so low. She knew there were more children, some too young and some too old, but still. She still remembered finding out the chilling truth, that despite everything they had done to survive, the human race would be extinct in eighteen years with the current birthrate. She still remembered telling then-Commander Adama that they had to start having babies, in order to have any chance at survival.

And some people had, but not enough. It wasn't even close to being enough.

"Laura?"

Tory's voice brought Laura's thoughts back into focus. "I'm fine," she said quickly. "Leave it with me so I can look at the list and the ages and begin to put together a curriculum."

"Yes, ma'am." Tory placed the paper on Laura's table/desk/all-purpose horizontal surface. "Maya made a pot of porridge, would you like some?"

"Yes, I'll be right there," Laura replied, as Tory left the tent. She stood still for a moment, looking around the tent. Laura Roslin, she thought, this is your life.

Sometimes it could be a relief: she no longer had to find answers to every question and approve every decision. She didn't have to face the press and she didn't have to play the constant game of balancing the Quorum's constantly conflicting views and ideas. Now she could focus on real children, instead of adults with child-like mentalities.

That was always what she had wanted, wasn't it? To be a teacher and a damn good one. She had only got into politics because Richard wouldn't leave her alone until she agreed to it. She had only become president because forty-two people had died instead of her. The mathematical absurdity of it all was almost funny.

No, she had never wanted to be the president…until somehow, she had. It had given her a purpose, something to do to make her life meaningful before she died. But she hadn't died and right now her presidency didn't mean much, as they sat on this godsforsaken planet like livestock waiting at the slaughterhouse.

"Damn it," she whispered to herself. "I have to stop doing this."

Life here was cold and dreary and mundane but it was still life. And as long as they were still alive there would be hope. Pulling her jacket close around her, Laura exited the tent and walked next door (so to speak) to where Maya and Isis lived.

She could smell the food before she entered the tent and the scent was delicious. Tory and Maya were both there, as well as a couple Laura didn't know as well, who lived just down the path. Tory was talking to them – from the parts of the conversation Laura caught, it seemed they were discussing the local vegetation.

And, of course, there was Isis, lying in the makeshift crib Maya had put together using an old storage box and a lot of padding.

Laura enjoyed these mornings, eating breakfast and just talking about anything. It reminded her of home, before her mother died, before her father and sisters died. She had spent many mornings with them all congregated in the kitchen, getting ready for another day. It was a domestic scene she'd had little time for once she got involved in politics. And when she became president, well, it was a rare day that she was able to stop for breakfast at all.

"Good morning, Laura," Maya said, smiling and she filled another bowl with porridge.

"Good morning," Laura replied, taking the bowl and inhaling the scent once more. "This looks delicious."

She sat down on the chair beside the crib. Isis was quiet but awake, looked up at Laura, her brown eyes wide. "Good morning, Isis," Laura said with a smile, before eating her first spoonful.

"She slept through the night for the first time," Maya said, walking over to stand beside Laura. Her voice was filled with pride. "She's growing up so fast."

"Yes, she is," Laura replied. She placed the bowl in her lap. So far, everything about Isis was perfectly normal. Perfectly human. There was nothing to cause anyone to question who or what the baby was.

"Tory said that you have a list of students for the school ready now?"

Laura took her eyes off the baby, looking back at Maya. "Yes, we should look at them together and see what we can come up with. They told me that the tent for the school should be ready by the beginning of next week, which means we have a lot of work ahead of us."

Maya nodded. "At least the book collection has been going well. There aren't enough copies of any one, of course, but I think we should be able to put together handouts, maybe even our own book of readings."

Laura was about to say more when the tent flap opened again and Maya's attention was drawn away to the newcomer. Laura slowly finished the rest of the porridge, making sure to savour each and every bite. She sat back for a moment after she was done, watching everyone around her and enjoyed the fact that all of their eyes were not on her. She was no longer standing in front of them all, playing her role and praying she did it well enough to keep everyone alive another day. And even if she did sometimes miss it, there still was something to be said for putting down the burden and relaxing. Even if she knew in her gut that it wouldn't last.

Yes, she thought, casting another glance around the tent, this is my life.