Bill emerged from his room ten minutes later, his hair still wet from the cold shower he'd subjected himself to, and found Admiral Lincoln and Aaron Doral standing in the suite, deep in discussion.

"Ah, Bill!"

He took Alex's hand and shook it warmly. He and Alex had known each other for some years now and he genuinely admired and respected his superior. Quite a few of the admiralty irritated and frustrated him, but Alex's relaxed nature suited his. He did know, however, that one should never underestimate Alex Lincoln. The man did not come to be an Admiral in the Fleet by chance. A lot of people had been fooled by Alex's laid back style and charm, but underneath it all he was clever and smart and knew how to get things done.

He was a little more reticient when Aaron Doral offered up what he could only describe as a cold and limp handshake. He'd had no luck warming up to this man, but valiantly vowed to keep his low opinion to himself in front of Alex.

All three of them turned their heads when the far door opened revealing Laura Roslin. She smiled and greeted the two gentlemen politely, although Bill could tell that the smile she gave Aaron Doral never reached her eyes.

He looked down at his feet, feeling unsettled that he could read her so well, having known her for such a short time.

They all sat at the table and immediately got down to business. Bill acknowledged the fact that Laura Roslin had not arrived at her current position by accident. She was an intelligent woman who asked pertinent questions and put forth logical suggestions.

He was still undecided how he felt about Galactica being turned into some show and tell for children, but he had to admit that the Old Girl had gotten lucky when Laura Roslin had been assigned to the task.

With the exception of the occasional annoying comment by Aaron Doral, the meeting continued smoothly for the next couple of hours. Bill was so engrossed with their discussions that he was quite surprised when the Admiral announced it was 2100 hours.

"I've got to be getting home before Mrs Lincoln thinks I'm having an affair with the Secretary of Education," Alex said in his usual affable manner.

Bill watched Laura Roslin as she laughed and wondered again about the President's phone call. Something in her demeanour when she spoke to Adar on the phone, and at the charity ball, made him think there was more to their relationship than merely professional.

Doral left with the Admiral, something Bill was irrationally pleased about.

Bill made his way to place an order for dinner. "Any special requests?" he asked.

Laura Roslin waved an arm, mumbling a quiet 'whatever' as she kicked off her shoes and removed her jacket and glasses. After he hung up from the mess he turned to see her lowering herself onto one of the armchairs. He marvelled at how her every movement was graceful and feminine.

She leaned back and closed her eyes. "Don't fall over my shoes," she said in a deep voice.

"I'm always on the lookout for them now," he quipped.

She snorted, but didn't open her eyes and he took the opportunity to study her again. He berated himself silently when his eyes immediately lowered to her chest. She was wearing a white blouse that was maybe a little too translucent for his nerves. Her nipples were hardened and erect and clearly visible through the material. He felt himself harden in response.

"When you're through looking, Commander," she said without opening her eyes, "would you check in the refrigerator and see what's available? I would kill for a drink of some sort. Following a Quorum meeting with a meeting with Aaron Doral in attendance was not the best idea I've ever had."

He chuckled as he opened the fridge, buoyed by the fact that she was relaxed enough not to be insulted by his shameless appraisal of her body.

"There's wine, believe it or not," he said.

"Excellent."

He rustled around in the cupboard and poured them both a generous amount.

He moved a side table over next to her chair and set her glass down.

"Thanks," she mumbled, reaching out and taking a sip of the light liquid. "Hmm. It's going to go straight to my head though. I haven't had anything to eat since one o'clock."

"Dinner will be here soon."

"Hmm."

He sat and sipped his drink, occasionally glancing over to where she sat. Her head was reclined, offering him an unfiltered view of her elegant neck, as she clasped her glass in front of her chest. She looked tired. The usually faint lines of her face were more pronounced and there were hints of dark shadows under her eyes.

"When do you fly back to Caprica?" he asked.

"Tomorrow afternoon. I left the morning free in the event we didn't finish everything tonight."

He remained silent, took another sip of his wine and ignored the innuendo that flashed into his mind regarding not getting to everything in one night with her. It was true. It would take him a lot longer than one night to do everything he wanted to with her.

"Can I ask you a personal question, Commander?"

"Yeah."

"What are you –"

A knock interrupted them.

Bill rose and opened the door; a soldier delivered their dinner.

"What did you order?" Laura asked, lifting the lid on the serving tray to inspect their meal.

"Just an omelette, some crusty bread, fruit and crackers. Didn't think you'd be up to anything too heavy."

"Perfect." She picked up a strawberry from one of the trays and dipped it in her glass, then proceeded to suck the wine off it before taking a delicate bite.

He stood frozen, staring at her mouth, his cock twitching uncontrollably in his trousers.

She looked up, caught his eyes and arched one eyebrow. "How's your appetite, Commander?"

He smiled, enjoying her obvious flirting more than he could ever have imagined.

"It would probably best be described as rabid."

She let out a small hum, piled her plate high with food, grabbed a fork and sat back down in the armchair, ignoring the formal table. He followed suit and sat down next to her.

Their conversation dried up for a time as they ate, but he couldn't resist looking across at her mouth every now and then. She, in return, offered him several small smiles.

"I was going to ask," she said after they had both sated their initial hunger, "what are you planning on doing after the decommissioning ceremony? I know you said you were still thinking about it last time I asked, but I thought you may have come to some decision."

"I don't know. I left the Fleet after the First Cylon War. I eked out a miserable existence, basically living in limbo until I re-enlisted." He looked down at his meal and shoved another forkful of food into his mouth. He couldn't believe he'd just revealed to her such intimate details. He should be trying to impress her. Not tell her how he much of a failure he was without the Fleet propping him up.

"The Fleet isn't going to offer you another commission?"

"Doubt it."

"Why not? You're good at your job. I'm sure of it."

"Thank you, Madam Secretary." She had only seen him on Galactica. Galactica was the one Battlestar he had made into a home. He considered a lot of the crew of Galactica his children. In fact, quite often, he felt like a father sorting out the childish squabbles that went on between them. Overall, though, they stifled their personal issues long enough to ensure Galactica was an efficient ship.

He hadn't always been so lucky. Valkyrie was one commission he could have lived without. For the Admiralty to award him with another command, at this late stage of his career, they would have to overlook his shortcomings while in command of that Battlestar.

"They won't offer me another commission," he said, standing to deposit their now empty plates back on the mess hall's tray.

"I'm tired of politics. I have good days. When I see what difference I can make. But when those days are in the minority, I think it's time to move on."

He sighed. He had no idea what advice to offer her. He had little time for politics and even less for Richard Adar. Meeting the man in person hadn't made him alter the low opinion he had already garnered from the false public persona.

"You want another drink?" he asked.

"No. I'll be asleep in five minutes if I do. And I rather thought we'd stay up together a bit longer," she added with another arch of her eyebrow and a smile. "Maybe a coffee?"

He chuckled and moved to find the makings of some coffee for her. "At this rate, when we have sex it will all be over in less than five minutes anyway."

She giggled. "That will never do, Commander. I promise to behave then."

He eyed her from the kitchen. He was rather mystified at how comfortable they were in each other's company. They were almost behaving like an old married couple instead of two people who had only met only a handful of times.

"I'm a little worried about it anyway," she said.

"Why? I may be old, and it may have been quite a while since I've done the deed, but I think it will all come back to me."

"No." She laughed again. "I just mean I've been sitting here like a queen all night while you've waited on me. Ordering dinner, fetching me drinks and such."

"And you think that when we move to the bedroom, I'll demand you do a little more than lie there?"

"Something like that."

Laura was enjoying herself - enjoying their banter, enjoying the fact that she would be making love with the Commander tonight. She wasn't sure when they had tacitly agreed that it would happen, but she was pleased they had.

She wanted him. He wanted her. They were both adults. Both single. She couldn't see any reason why they should continue to deny what they both wanted any longer.

True, their respective positions meant they would be working together in the future, something she should take into consideration. She wished fervently she had thought more of this problem when she had started up with Richard Adar. Of course, the complications of having an affair with a married Head of State far exceeded any she could foresee with having an affair with a commanding officer of a Battlestar.

She watched as Bill Adama walked towards her from the kitchen. He knelt down in front of her, lifted one finger, and ran it down her body from her neck to her navel. She shivered in response to his light touch.

"You can lie there and do nothing if you like." His voice was rough, manly and she shivered again with all the connotations she imagined.

"That doesn't sound very feminist of you, Commander."

"Hmm? Well, I'm all for equal rights. So don't feel like you have to hold back on my account."

He was no longer touching her but the combination of his voice and eyes caused her stomach muscles to clench in anticipation.

"Maybe I should forget the coffee. Skip straight to Adama seduction."

He gave one of his rich sexy chuckles. "I don't have any seduction techniques."

She raised an eyebrow. "You don't think so? You don't think you haven't been seducing me since you yelled in the library?"

Unlike Richard, who had pursued her ruthlessly and expertly, Bill Adama's seduction had been a natural progression of their relationship. He had been quietly wooing her all along, but she didn't think he had any more control over his behaviour than she did of responding. Their attraction was one they both now knew they would have to accept. It was also one built on mutual respect, equality and, surprisingly, friendship.

"Not deliberately," he teased. "Do you want to take a shower first?"

She hummed. "Yes. But I think I'll keep the water hot."

He laughed. "You think mine earlier was cold? You really have an ego, Madam Secretary."

She knew he was teasing, but for a moment her confidence wavered. She'd been with a lot of men who had meant nothing – whose opinion meant nothing to her. She had no idea why she wanted everything to be different with Bill Adama.

"I'm not young anymore," she said.

"Compared to me, you're young," he said. "And if it's not perfect the first time, we'll keep trying until we get it right."

She flushed, wondering again how he always seemed to read her mind. How was it that so often he knew what she was thinking before she did?

She stood, offered him a hand, and helped him from the floor.

"My room or yours, sir?"