"Hmm... there was so much. Besides the food, just spending time with my dad. He used to put me up on his shoulders and I..."
Those were the last words Lee heard his wife say before she stopped talking. That was ten long minutes ago. The only reason why Lee wasn't jumping up out of his chair to break this so called connection was because Cottle had reassured him that Dee was alright.
That didn't stop him from worrying about her.
The Admiral looked over to his son and saw his hands balled in to a fist and worry etched on his face. He got up from his seat and took the one next to Lee.
"She's fine Lee." Bill said.
"I know but I can't help feeling this way. I just wish I knew what was going on or that they would say or tell us something." Lee sighed in frustration.
"Relax Lee. I mean look at Dee's face. She's smiling. Whatever they are doing can't be that bad if she's smiling." Bill said.
"Yeah,I guess your right dad." Lee said.
Lee looked to Dee's smiling face. She really looked happy. Happier than he had seen her in months. He hoped that whatever she was doing right now that she was having a good time.
Ella and Dee followed the younger Dee and her father as they made their way through the fair. As they walked behind them Dee couldn't believe how much had actually gone on around her that she never noticed or even remembered. The sights and the smells seemed so real to Dee that they made her want to reach out touch all of them. She was completely thrown off guard when a man approached and spoke to her.
"Lovely fabric for the lovely lady?" the man said.
"Uh...no...no thank you." was all Dee was able to get out.
"Maybe next time. If you change your mind I will be right here." the man said with a smile.
"Thank you young man. I am sure if she changes her mind she will let you know." Ella said
Ella looked over to Dee and saw the unsettled look on Dee's face. She knew there would be questions about what just happened so she waited for them to be asked.
Dee didn't speak about what just occurred for several minutes. Although questions were swirling through her mind she stayed silent and decided to see what else would happen.
Dee's silence was broken when her stomach started to rumble very loudly. She couldn't have been more embarrassed by the sound. Dee rubbed her stomach and tried to shush it quiet.
"I think you need something to eat child." Ella said.
"Yes, my stomach is not so quietly telling me that it's time to eat." Dee sighed. " Well, they are serving meat loaf today in the mess hall. Would you like to join me and share some of whatever it is the chef is passing off as meat today?"
"Sounds tempting but I have a better idea. Follow me." Ella said.
Dee followed Ella until they came to section of the fair where vendors sold various Sagaittaron dishes. Many of which were only sold during the fair. Dee watched as Ella stepped up to an elderly male with a cart and said a few words to the man. He smiled and looked over to Dee and gave her a small nod which she returned.
The man then reached into his cart which Dee now noticed was a soup cart. When the lid was lifted off the soup the aroma hit Dee's nose and she immediately recognized what it was.
"Tufari!" she said.
"Yes. Would you like some?" Ella asked.
Dee looked at Ella like she was crazy. "Of course I would like some but how can we?"
Ella looked at the man and ordered two bowls of the Tufari. The man made the bowls of soup and placed them on a tray with a few pieces of bread on the side. He handed them to Ella who tried to pay but the man shook his head no and told them it was on the house. Ella thanked him then turned her attention back to Dee.
"You know what goes well with Tufari? Caba juice. There is a stand right over there. I think we should get some." Ella said.
Dee couldn't take it anymore. She let her frustration get the best of her.
"Look, I don't mean to be rude but I'm not moving one single step until you tell me what the heck is going on here. I mean, first you had me following my younger self and now we are getting ready to eat soup from the past. To say I'm confused would be an understatement. There is more to all of this then your telling me and I think I deserve some answers. Right now!" Dee said.
Ella sighed and looked past Dee's outburst with a forgiving smile.
"You're right there is more. A lot more and you do deserve answers but take it from me, some answers are best heard on a full stomach."Ella said
Dee wanted to be mad. She wanted to stay angry with Ella for dragging this out but for some reason she couldn't. That nagging feeling inside of her was telling her to just be patient because it would be worth the wait.
"So, what do you say? Our soup is getting cold and I really would like to enjoy this. It has been such a long time since I have had good Tufari and I'm sure it has been even longer for you." Ella said with a pleading smile.
"Fine. I'm only agreeing to this because I want to get to the bottom of this and...I also want that Tufari. It smells delicious." Dee said.
"Good. There is a place to eat just over there." Ella said pointing towards a tented area.
The tent was packed with people. It took longer than it should have to find a seat for both of them. After searching several minutes of looking two people offered their seats to them after they saw Dee getting bumped around by the constant traffic inside the tent. Once there were seated comfortably they wasted no time and dig right into the Tufari.
Dee couldn't help it when she let out a moan as the familiar taste hit her tongue. It was so good she almost cried and although her stomach was begging her to take another bite she couldn't until her mind was settled and free from questions.
"This is so much better then I remember and I really want to enjoy this but I can't. Ella, I need to know how we are doing this? How can we be in the past doing all these things? Why am I able to do these things with you?"
Ella sighed and took one last spoon full of her Tufari. She wished that Dee could have waited a little longer before asking her questions but as always time was not on her side so she pushed the bowl aside and looked to Dee to give her the answers she was waiting for.
"Dee, do you remember when I told you that we are connected to everything? The past, the present, and the future." Ella asked.
"Yes."
"When I asked you to focus in on a memory from your past, what I was really asking was you to do was focus in on a moment in time." Ella said
"A moment in time? I don't understand?" Dee asked.
"What I'm trying to tell you Dee is that this is not just a memory. That we are really here on Sagittarion. This and everything around us is real." Ella said.
"Wait? We're home? This is all real?" Dee asked excitedly.
"Yes, we are home and this is all real." Ella said.
Dee was so overwhelmed with joy in the knowledge that she was actually home.
"Gods, how is this possible? I mean if I'm here then...Gods...Lee..he must be worried sick." Dee said.
"You are still with him as am I. Our bodies never left. Our consciousness has left our bodies and has traveled through the connection back to the past. Back to this moment in time using your memory as a focal point." Ella said.
"Wait, so this connection your talking about is a way for us to travel back to the past?" Dee asked.
"Yes but..." Ella was about to continue when Dee chimed in.
"Then what are we doing here? We can go back to the day of the attack and stop it. We could warn people..." Dee said but was quickly interrupted by Ella.
"No. We can't." Ella said.
"Why not? We could use the connection and change things so that this war never happens." Dee said.
"Dee, there is still so much you don't understand about this power. There is so much you need to learn so here is your first lesson. The past cannot be changed. It has already happened and what has happened cannot be undone." Ella said.
Dee felt the fleeting hope she was carrying drop like a ton of bricks on her.
"I know how you feel. There were many times I wished that I could have gone back and warned people of what was to come but that's not how this works." Ella said.
"How does this work and why am I so special? How does showing me this going to help my family and I?" Dee asked.
"Tell me what you saw in your dreams?" Ella asked.
Ella looked at Dee and could see was having a hard time with just saying what was in them.
"They're that bad?" Ella asked.
Dee shook her head yes and tried to fight back the tears but they were coming down faster than she could wipe. Ella took Dee's hand in hers and patted it gently.
"It's alright Dee. We don't have to talk about it now. I know from previous experience how difficult it can be. As far, as why you? No one knows how we are chosen, it's just a gift that the Gods have blessed you with." Ella said.
"Some gift." Dee said.
"It may not seem like it now Dee but, in time you will see it as one. You have been given this insight for a reason. I will teach you how to control that power inside of you so we can find out why you have been plagued by these dreams. It will take time but I promise that we will save you and your children. Do you believe me?" Ella said.
"I'm not sure what to believe anymore. My faith is not what it used to be." Dee said.
"Then we shall restore that too." Ella said.
Ella felt her bowl with her hand and was happy that it was still warm.
"Our Tufari is still warm. How about we eat the rest then take one more look around then head back?" Ella asked.
"Ok." Dee said.
As Dee was enjoying her Tufari she looked down and noticed a doll on the ground. She picked it up and dusted the dirt off of it. Dee smiled at the little rag doll as she ate. It reminded her of the one she used to have when she was little. Her mother had made her one just like it. She named it Nira and they went everywhere together. Dee knew that somewhere there was a little girl who was missing her doll very much. Maybe she could reunite the two before she had to go back.
A few minutes later they finished the Tufari and started walking to work off the meal in their bellies. Dee held the rag doll securely in her hand as they walked and each time she passed a little girl she asked if the doll belong to them but each one said it wasn't theirs. She was about to give up and tell Ella it was time to go when she heard a man yelling for her to stop.
"Miss! Miss! Stop. You have my daughter's doll." the man yelled.
Dee stopped in tracks and almost dropped the doll when she saw who was calling her name.
Ella looked over to Dee and smiled. "Is that who I think it is?"
"Yes." Dee said trying not to cry. "It's my father."
"And the little girl he has in his arms?" Ella asked knowing the question.
"Is me. And this is my doll." Dee said.
Dee's father came up to and smiled a very familiar smile.
"Miss, thank you for finding my daughter's doll. We've been looking for this all day haven't we?" he said the child in his arms.
The small girl in his arms looked over to Dee and smiled. Dee could see that she had been crying and wiped away the small tears that were coming down.
"Don't cry little one. Her she is. I took good care of her. Does she have a name?" Dee asked.
"Nira. She is my best friend. I shouldn't have lost her." she said.
"Well the most important thing is that she is safe and back with you." Dee said handing the doll to her younger self.
"What do you say to the nice young women Ana?" her father asked.
"Thank you." Ana said holding the doll close to her.
"Your welcome. It was my pleasure." Dee said.
"You have a wonderful way with children. You baby is lucky to have someone as kind as you for its mother." her father said
Dee's could feel her eyes start to water and before she knew it she was hugging her father.
"Thank you." Dee said.
Ella saw the look on Dee's father's face. He look confused and bit taken back that a stranger would be hugging him like this.
Ella cleared her throat to get Dee's attention and when that didn't work she started to pull Dee away.
Dee reluctantly moved away as Ella's pull got a little more forceful. She saw the look on her father's face and knew why Ella had pulled her away. She was scaring her poor father with her odd behavior. He had no way of knowing that she was his daughter from the future. So she came up with a quick excuse.
"Sorry. Hormones." Dee said.
Her father laughed. "I understand. I have been told that they can make you say and do some of the craziest things. Well we have to be going. I have to get this one home."
"Awww..go we have to go papa?" Ana wined.
"Yes, your mother is waiting and she is making her specialty." he father said.
"Tufari!" she yelled.
"We must be going as well." Ella said.
Dee's father was about to say his goodbyes but something about the young lady in front of him looked familiar to him.
"Young lady, have we ever met before?" her father asked.
"Yes, we have." Dee said.
Before he would ask where his daughter was tugging at her his shirt.
"Daddy, we to go. Mama's waiting." Ana said.
"Yes, she is. Well thank you both again and take care of yourself young lady." her father said.
"I will." Dee said.
Dee's father smiled at her then turned and walked.
Dee tears didn't hold back as he walked away. "Good bye daddy." she said through tears.
"I think we have done enough for today. It's time to go home." Ella said.
"Yeah. I'm more than ready to leave. What do we have to do?" Dee said wiping her tears away.
"The same as before. Let's find a spot with out so many people." Ella said.
Dee followed Ella to a spot between tents where they couldn't be seen.
"Now Dee, just as before. Give me your hands and breathe in and out. That's it. In and out." Ella said.
Ella started to feel Dee relax and her breathing become steadier.
"Now I want you to concentrate on something that makes you feel safe." Ella said.
Once again Dee's thoughts turned to Lee and immediately she felt safe.
"Now I want you think about Galactica. Concentrate on going home to Galactica and Lee." Ella said
Dee did as Ella said and concentrated on Galactica. On the only home she had. Then she concentrated on Lee. His smile and his love were like a beacon guiding her home.
"Ok Dee, you can open your eyes. We're home." Ella said.
Dee slowly open her eyes and looked around. It was true. She was home back on Galactica. Dee had never been so glad to see the steel gray walls of the ship. She then felt a warm hand on the side of her face. She turned towards the touch and saw a worried Lee looking at her.
"Baby are you ok?" Lee asked.
Dee didn't say anything she only nodded.
"You wanna tell me what just happened?" Lee asked.
"Not now." Dee said.
"Everything go as planned?" Cottle asked.
"Yes but I think Dee needs to rest. She went through a lot today." Ella sad.
" Rest sounds good. I've been on my feet for hours." Dee said.
"On your feet for hours? You have been sitting in that same chair for fifteen centons while we sat here looking at you both. Where the hell where you?" Tighe asked.
"Not where but when. Look I know you all want answers and I would love to give them to you but I really need to rest. I promise I will try to explain things as best as I can later. Lee, can we please go home?" Dee said.
Lee kissed Dee's forehead. "Anything you want."
He could see Dee was more then just physical tired. She looked drained. Something happened during her time away but he wasn't going to pressure her now for answers.
"Thank you." Dee whispered.
"Dee, when you are done resting. You and Lee please come and see me." Bill said.
"We will dad. C'mon sweetie, lets get you home." Lee said.
Once Lee and Dee were out of the room Cottle looked over to Ella and saw that she looked tired too.
"You look like hell. I suggest you get some rest as well." Cottle said.
"You still have way with words don't you Sherman? C'mon, walk an old women to her quarters. Who knows? You may get lucky." Ella smiled.
"Now who's got a way with words." Cottle said then started walking Ella out.
"Hey!" Tighe yelled.
Cottle and Ella turned around to Tighe and the Admiral.
"What is it Saul?"Cottle asked.
"What is it? What is it? I wanna know what the hell just happened here? It's like an elephant is in the room and nobody want to say it's in the room. Well I'm say'n it. There is a huge elephant in the room and someone better start talking. That poor girl looks like she's been through hell and back and I think we are owed some kind of frakin' explanation of what you had her go through." Tighe said.
"In due time Colonel. In due time." Ella said then turned to Cottle. "I'm ready to go now."
"Then let's go. Saul. Admiral." Cottle said then open the hatch for Ella and left.
Bill looked over to his friend and could see that he was ready to chase after Ella and tell her where she could take shove her "In due time".
"Let it go Saul." Bill said.
"I'm sorry if I over stepped my bounds Bill." Saul said trying to calm down.
"Don't worry about it. Like I said before, you are family and I know you wouldn't be so passionate about this if you didn't care." Bill said.
"Thanks Bill. I don't know how you were able to keep so calm." Tighe said.
"I was about to go on my own tirade when I saw Dee's face. She looked so tired and frazzled that I didn't have the heart to start asking her a million questions. What ever happened looks like it took it's toll on her. I hope she'll be able to tell me later." Bill said.
Tighe looked his friend and knew there was something else on his mind.
"What's up Bill? You look like you know something about what just happened."Tighe said.
"I have a theory but I need more time." Bill said.
"Care to share?" Tighe asked.
"Not yet. When I know more I will." Bill said.
Back in their room Lee help Dee out of her clothes and into a shirt and some shorts for her to sleep in. He watched as she slowly waddled over to the bed then try and find a comfortable position on it. After tossing and turning several different times she finally found one.
Lee had changed out of his uniform and climbed into bed next to Dee. He pulled Dee closer to him so that her back was right up against his chest. He draped his arm around her and started to rub lazy circles around her belly. He heard Dee make contented sighing noise causing him to smile.
"Like that huh?" Lee asked.
"Mmmhmm." Dee said.
"Good. Cause I like doing it." Lee said.
Dee giggled then yawned.
"Get some sleep. We can talk later." Lee said.
"Don't you want to know what happened?" Dee asked.
"Of course I wanna know but it can keep for now. You need your rest." Lee said.
"You have to go on duty now don't you?" Dee asked.
"The only duty I have now is Dee duty. I got with Kara and she is taking my flight time for me. So don't worry about it. You just get some rest ok? Dee? Dee?" Lee sat up and looked over to who his wife and saw that she was fast asleep. He kissed the side of her neck then snuggled up next to her and drifted off to sleep as well.