Black

In standing up to Admiral Cain, Laura had never seemed sexier to Bill. There was certain strength in her stance and in the timbre of her voice that aroused him infinitely. That, and the black skirt-suit she was wearing with that curve-hugging white blouse. Contrasting her alabaster skin wonderfully, Bill can't help but lose focus for a while – only re-joining the conversation when it seems that Laura and the Admiral are waiting for some kind of response, and only succeeding in sounding like a petulant child in doing so. Laura levels a half-exasperated half-amused glare at him, and Bill feels an equal mix if chastisement and arousal.

'No,' muses Bill, 'There is nothing quite like Laura in that suit.' Noting how very powerful and elegant she appears, Bill is unable to stop himself from raking her frame appreciatively with his eyes before calling a truce with Admiral Cain until the Resurrection Ship is annihilated.

That damned suit – and the woman within it – has the power to make Bill do virtually anything. He's just not ready to admit it to her yet.

The abyss floats on the periphery of Laura's consciousness, pulling – or rather sucking – her away from life, and into the dark, black depths of death. She ignores it dutifully, focussing on the happy task of presenting the Commander with his newly earned Admiral's pins. A positively childish grin lights his features at the sight of the open jewellery box, and Laura feels the blackness steal over her once more, particularly when mutual sentiments of hope are expressed between herself and the Admiral. Suddenly falling onto her frail frame, fatigue jolts and settles into her joints, and the abyss feels closer than ever before. Noting this, she clears her throat and blinks rapidly in an attempt to keep the rising tears at bay. She feels her heart clench, as though Bill has reached into her heart with his own hand and squeezed – trying to bring life back into its weakened beats. Having accepted her fate, Laura has also accepted her emotional attraction to the Admiral, as well as the initial physical spark she felt almost a year ago. Feeling the tears rise afresh, she motions to Billy to help her stand, and ever the gentleman, Bill intervenes – a kindly smile upon his lips, and a gentle twinkle playing in his eyes – pulling her momentarily further from the abyss. Then, out of nowhere, Laura feels herself being yanked sharply backwards from the darkness waiting to claim her, and instead tethered to Galactica and her Admiral by a pair of joint lips – Bill's, and hers.

Life and love flare within her, and a new spirit seems to kindle and grow. Seeing the kiss for what it really is – a promise for a joint future – allows her to grasp at this new (temporary) strength. All she has to do is fight cancer. And win.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a review if you did, as I love receiving feedback :)

Also, thanks to the Guest reviewer from the last chapter, I appreciate it immensely!