When he had brought her to the life station several minutes earlier it had been very crowded, but now it was nearly empty. He had to gone back to CIC, but now that his shift was over he ran to the sickbay to see his wife and take her home. There was one pilot who broke his leg, a wounded woman and, of course, Laura. Bill stood in the middle of room and waited for the nurse or Cottle himself.

"How is the President?" he asked the nurse when she walked in. She said something back and told him that Cottle will be here in a minute. When the grumpy Major came in, Bill posed his question.

"She'll live. She has a little concussion. It's not dangerous but she'll have a horrible headache, so I'll give you painkillers for her." The doctor came closer to the locker and took out a small pill box, giving it to the admiral. He nodded. "You can take her home."

Cottle moved back the curtain and the two men were stunned by what they found. Laura was lying in a bed and next to her was sitting Tom Zerek, the Vice-President, holding her hand. The Admiral gave him a suspicious look. She moved her hand from Zerek's and looked at her husband, but Bill turned his head. Cottle told her she had been released and that he wanted to see her at 0900 hours the next day. At the same time Tom Zerek caught the Admiral's look and stood up. He smiled to the President and passed Adama.

"I'll wait outside." Adama told her and followed Zerek out of the room. He had intended to corner the vice-president for a chat, but Tom was gone. Bill leaned against the wall next to the Life Station's hatch.

He felt disappointed and angry. He didn't know how to determine his feelings. He felt betrayed, sad and… jealous. Yes, she was his wife, but he didn't have right to be jealous, did he? They weren't like others normal couples. She had her own personal life and he had his own, despite the fact that she was his world. He loved her, but he had to respect her feelings, which she clearly had for Zerek. He was possessive and she allowed him to behave like she was his. She didn't seem to mind it at all, in fact she was very kind to him. And there was the way that he looked at her, staring at her beautiful legs, smiling at her. Yes, Bill was an observant person, he saw things that the other simply ignoring. And when he saw Tom and Laura together in the sickbay, his heart broke down.

Why Zerek, why the frakking ex-terrorist? What had he done to deserve her love? Why couldn't she choose me? We are married after all, it would all be much simpler. Yet, it is strange. If Zerek and Laura were in love, why did she marry me. Not that I don't want to be with her, but if she love the Vice-President, she should be happy with him. No, it doesn't make sense! Zerek was, is dangerous and she had objections to keeping him as vice-president. Not that she was afraid of him. Laura Roslin wasn't afraid of anyone. Hell, she was the one that people were afraid of, not that she was some kind of crazy dictator. They were afraid of her because she was a strong, independent woman who didn't hesitate to meet Cylons eye to eye and thrown them through the airlock. They respected her. She was their leader. Madam Airlock like some of the people had called her, of course nobody knew about it. Yeah, but Zerek and Laura… She was watching his actions, waiting for his mistake. No, she couldn't love Tom Zerek, could she? Even if she does, ok I can live with that. But she is my wife, not the Vice-President, if I have to fight for her, so be it! She is worth it.

He was deep in his thoughts when she touched his arm. He looked at her and smiled. This wasn't his usually warm and inviting smile she loved and she knew that something is wrong with her husband. But she didn't ask. She followed him to their quarters in silence.

The dinner took place two hours later. Kara and Lee were sitting on Bill's left and right. Laura opposite to her husband with Dee on her right side. The Admiral and two pilots were talking and laughing. Dee was looking at them. Laura notice that the girl was very quiet and she was digging around in the food. Something is not right. She thought and then she found herself doing the same thing on her plate.

"Is everything all right Madam President?" she heard Kara's voice and then all of them were looking at her.

"Yes. And please, it's Laura now." She extended a smile.

Kara and Lee got back to the story they were relaying to Bill and Dee joined in. Sometime later Laura found herself enjoying the dinner with her family. They were talking and laughing. She was happy. For the first time she felt happy, with them. These people were the substitute for her old family. Yes, she had been happy before. On New Caprica, even with Richard, but this was something new for her. And it felt good. For the first time since her mother ,father and sisters died she was a part of something. A family. They respected her and treated her like one of them, maybe even loved her like she loved them. When she looked at them she saw how they enjoyed each other's company and yet. She was sad that Billy wasn't there. Few months after the Cylons' attack on the Colony he became a surrogate son to her.

After the dinner Laura and Dee took the plates and moved to the kitchen area, when Bill, Kara and Lee started to discuss some fleet tactics. Laura and Dee washed up the dishes and turned back to the rest who were sitting comfortably on the couch and drinking Ambrosia. Bill immediately stood up and offered them a seat. Dee politely smiled and sat down when Laura came closer to Bill. She stood in front of him with her hands on her hips.

"I thought that you weren't going to talk about business today." He looked down and then his eyes met Kara's and Lee's.

"Sorry, it was my fault." Lee told and Laura smiled. "I had a few questions for dad."

"It's ok Lee." She smiled to her stepson. He was about to say something when Kara interjected.

"So did you enjoy the wedding gift from me?"

"Kara." It was Dee's voice. The girl started blushing. Bill looked at the girls and then at Laura, who blushed.

"What wedding gift, Laura?" The President was silent and Lee was trying to figurate what they were talking about. He was as disorientated as his father, only Bill gave all of the women a 'Tell-me-what-is-going-on' look. "Laura, what wedding gift?"

"I…. I… I'll tell you later" she muttered and heard Kara giggle.

"Rather show." The Viper pilot whispered above her nose with a giggle. But she went silent when the President gave her a 'Do-you-want-to-be-thrown-out-the-airlock' look.

A hour later they say goodbye and left. Laura gasped and kicked off her shoes. She sat beside Bill on a couch and curled her legs under her. She reached for a book which was lying on a table and her hand touched Bill's. He looked at her and smiled. She moved her hand and let him take the book. He smiled again and adjusted to make her more comfortable. He opened the book when she laid her head above his thighs. He started to read. His husky, warm voice made her relax. Laura forgot about everything. Her eyes started slowly close. She gasped and rolled on her right side. Bill kept going with the reading. When he reached chapter 3 he looked down and noticed that her breathing had slowed. Her eyes were closed. He smiled and put the book on the table then run fingers through her hair. He hadn't seen her for a few day and he already missed her very much. Bill was so terrified when her ship had been hit. So worried that he may lose her without telling her how important she is to him. His thoughts were broken by the phone's buzz. He slowly stood up and gently placed his wife's head above a green pillow. He didn't want wake her, but as soon as he walked to the phone she opened her eyes. He wasn't there, she didn't feel his warm body. She sat down on a couch and unbuttoned her jacket. Laura took it down. She heard him moving toward the hatch.

"Something urgent? " she asked before he disappeared behind the hatch.

"No, but I am needed in CIC."

"Oh." She looked down. "I'm sorry I fell asleep on you."

"Don't be." He smiled to her. She wasn't looking at him and he started to think that she was ashamed. "I have to go. Get some rest. I'll be back late." And then he left.

Laura got up from the couch and walked into bathroom. She took a quick shower, and changed to her blue nightgown and Bill's brown robe before brushing her teeth and hair. Then she wandered out to the living room, putting her hair into a ponytail as she went. She was about to go to bed when she heard knock. It isn't Bill, he wouldn't be knocking. She wrapped Bill's robe tightly around herself and opened the hatch. Laura saw Dee. The young woman was crying. Laura let her in and asked what had happened. Dee sat on a couch. She took a glass of water form Laura's hand and told her everything. When she ended Laura placed one arm around her shoulder and took a deep breath before she opened her mouth and said.

"Everybody has moments of the weakness, but remember that Lee vowed you love and respect, not Kara. You are the first in his heart, don't forget that. You love him. And if you love someone you want to be with that person and share your feelings. No matter what happens you love that person. You can't just shut up your feelings. You are human. You need somebody to love and be loved in return."

"Yes, but what if that person loves someone else? I know that I'm the second woman and I don't want to be her. I just can't have his love and frankly I don't think I ever did. Don't you think that he deserves to be free. Be happy with the person he loves?"

"Yes , he does. But you are married and all marriages have problems. You know that. Dee, you are his wife and I don't believe Lee doesn't love you. I saw him. The way he looks at you, the way he talks to you and…"

"He loves Kara. I know that. I saw the look on his face when he learned that she and Sam had married. I saw him with her. I saw them kissing. They love each other. And I can't live with that." She wiped the tears away, but they were just replaced by a fresh batch. Laura placed a second arm around the young woman. She didn't want her to suffer. Yes, some time ago, when Dee and Billy broke up she was mad. Dee broke Billy's heart, but deep down inside Laura knew that they weren't meant to be together. And now she was here, comforting the young officer, like a mother would.

"You love him, right? Did you talk to him?" Dee shook her head for the last question. "Did you tell him?" Again, she shook her head. Laura gasped. "You have to tell him, Dee. Maybe you are right, maybe your marriage can't defeat the problems, but still. You, and Lee have to try. You have to solve your problems, and trust me. An honest talk will help, but you have to try. And I know that watching someone who you love with another woman hurts, but don't give up. Fight for him. I know you can, even if you don't believe it. You have something special, it's called a family, and respect and love. Don't give up on that. Give him and your marriage a second chance. You're expecting a baby, Dee. Please, if not for Lee and yourself do it for the baby. Talk to him."

"Ok. I'll talk to him. But still, may I stay for the night? I don't want to face him. Not now."

"Of course." Roslin stroked Dee's hair, when the girl wiped her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't … I just… I"

"Hey, look at me." She grasped Dee's chin and made her look up. "I'm here if you want to talk. I don't bite. If you have any problems I'm here for you. I'll always try to help you, Dee. We are family. Trust me, ok?" Dee nodded and smiled back to her step mother-in-law.

"I thought that you hate me after what happened with me and Billy."

"I admit I was angry at you. Billy was like a son to me. He loved you but I know that you were not meant to be with him. On the contrary for you and Lee."

"Still, I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Just talk to your husband and try to solve your problems." She said and took a deep breath. Then she stood up from the couch and headed to the living space. "I'll give you a pillow and blanket. You can sleep on the couch. Bill won't mind." A few seconds later she came back and gave Dee some pillows and a blanket. Dee smiled to her. "If you need something else I will there…" Laura pointed to her desk. "working." Dee nodded and Roslin turned back. She walked away.

"Madam President?" Laura turned back to her. "Thank you, for everything."

"You don't have to thank me. You are like a daughter to me, Dee. And it's Laura, dear." She shyly smiled. Maybe she shouldn't call her a daughter. She wasn't even sure that the young officer considered someone who could be trusted…considered her to be a friend. Dee came closer to Laura and pulled her into hug.

"Still thank you, mom." Roslin smiled and returned the hug. She had a family now, and they wanted her, needed her. It was nice, very nice. Laura pulled away and found herself touched by the Dee's words.

"Now, it's time for you to go rest Dee. I still have some paperwork to do." She kissed Dee's forehead like a mother and headed to the desk while the young officer climbed to the couch and fell asleep.

It was nearly 2 a.m when Bill opened the hatch. Laura immediately stood up and walked to the Admiral with a finger on her lips. He gave her a suspicious look and followed her to the living space. He saw Dee on his couch and took a deep breath.

"They were arguing again?"

"No. She saw him with Kara." She explained the whole story to Bill. When she finished Roslin looked at him.

"So it looks like you have to share a rack with me."

She rolled her eyes and walked to the rack. She undressed to her blue satin robe, which she changed into when Dee fell asleep, climbed into the bed and moved closer to the bulkhead. Five minutes later Bill left the bathroom and walked to the rack in his boxers and gray T-shirt. He smiled at his wife and took his place in the bed next to her. They were lying in silence for several minutes when Bill cleared his throat and looked at her.

"So what about Kara's wedding gift?"

"Don't even ask!" she said with a giggle. He only smiled back and rolled his back to her. Bill wished her good night and then fell asleep. Laura did the same thing.

TBC thaks to Supernus