Bill woke up before his alarm clock. He slowly opened eyes and saw auburn strands on his chest. He wanted to move his body but Laura wouldn't give him a chance as she unconsciously draped her right arm around his chest. She muttered something in her sleep. He took a deep breath. He didn't want her to wake up so he placed his arm around her and closed his eyes again with a little smile on his lips.

Laura woke up when she felt her pillow start to breathe. She ran her fingers across it and felt a big scar on the skin and opened her eyes. She saw Bill's smiling at her. She blushed and pulled away from him to her side of the rack.

"I'm so… sorry. I… I was cold and you…" she took a deep breath. Oh please don't blush. Don't blush. Frak. Laura, get a grip, he is your husband. "… and you took all the quilt to your side." Ok maybe it would be better if I shut up. She told to herself and went silent.

"It's ok. It's been a long time since I woke up with someone on me." He smiled and looked at the President. He sat up in bed and asked "So… breakfast?"

"Yeah." She said, passing him as she got up from the rack. She drew on the robe and wrapped it tightly around her body, then headed to the couch. Dee was already up and dressed. "How are you feeling today?"

"Better. I think." She smiled but Laura knew that she was only pretending. Her eyes were red from crying.

"Come." She extended her a hand. "We are going to have a breakfast."

Laura smiled to Dee and both women went to the main cabin where Bill was sitting by the table and eating the breakfast, which had been delivered from the gallery several seconds ago. When they ended their meal the three friends prepared for work. Dee and Bill went to CIC and Laura to hangar deck, where the shuttle to Colonial One was waiting for her.

Laura was sitting behind her desk, filling out reports. The stack of paperwork never seemed to decrease. Every time she read 'all of the files' Tory brought in a new stack of things that required her signature. It was never-ending and laborious work. After two hours of signing her right hand was achy, and it was only the beginning. Gasping heavily she started to play with her pen when Tory walked in.

"Please tell me that you don't have another stack of reports." She said hopefully. Tory shook her head and smiled.

"No. Not this time. I just came to inform you that something has shown up on the DRADIS and I'm pretty sure that Admiral will set…" she didn't finish because the Colonial One jumped with the rest of the fleet. When the Captain announced the report of a successful jump, Tory only smiled. "Well now you know" and then turned back to her desk.

Laura took her glasses off and stood up. She walked to the small window and looked at the fleet. She didn't see Galactica. She stood there for several more minutes and then got back to her work. The battle always lasts an hour maybe even later. Don't worry.

She had been occupied by work for last four hours before she decided to call Tory. She told the aide to call the press conference and before that the Vice-President and the pilot. She had an idea. A good idea, but she needed help. Tory left and Laura immediately went to her living area and took the candles and the Scrolls and started to pray. That's how Tory found the president; praying with tears running down her cheeks. The young aide cleared her throat, making Laura look at her. She informed her boss that Zerek and Capitan Lenans were waiting for her. Laura took a deep breath and put on her presidential mask. She couldn't allow herself to be distracted, anxious or worried. She had to believe in Bill. That he was alive and he would come back. She wiped the tears away and went back to her office. They all sat down and she started to explain her plan to the others. They had to send a reconnaissance mission to the Galactica's last known position. A simple one Raptor recon.

"Are you sure, Laura?" Tom Zerek asked when the Capitan left to prepare for the mission. She only nodded, but when she saw Tom's face she took a deep breath and turned back to the window.

"We have to find Galactica. We have to find out what happened. Tom without them we are defenseless. What if Cylons show up?" she explained. "We need them" I need them, my family, my husband. Oh my Gods Bill. Please come back, I don't want to do it all by myself. I can't I need you. I can't lose you, not like this, not when I lost my mother, my father, my sisters and unborn niece. Not when the Colonies have been nuked and only I survived. Not now, please Lords of Kobol hear my prayers.

She didn't notice when her tears started running down her cheeks. She didn't even notice when Tory came in. She only heard that the press had arrived, so she unconsciously went to the podium in the next room. The press conference has begun. They were asking the same questions over and over again. And frankly she had had enough. Laura only wanted to lie down in Bill's arms and nestle into his warm body. Watch him when he slept and whisper how much she loved him. Ok maybe not tell him what I feel. It's only marriage in name. I would only make a fool of myself. He respects me not loves me. She looked around. Ok Laura, stop it now. You must stay focused. She put her best political façade and politely pointed to Steven, who was impatiently waited for his turn. Tory walk from behind her and whispered something into ear. Laura covered the microphone with her hand and listened intently to Tory.

"The recon has just returned. Galactica didn't make it. I'm so sorry Madam President." The young aid said as quiet as she could, but unfortunately the press heard the statement. All eyes and recording tapes were pointing to Laura, demanding some kind of… something. The President went pale, she bounded the edge of the podium as firmly as she was able. She looked down at her left hand where was the gold band on her finger. Galactica didn't make it. Oh Lords. Bill! The tears started running down through her cheeks.