Bright, Shiny Futures - Chapter Thirty-Four
It took an hour of venting, a four-course meal from room service and a long hot shower to calm Laura Roslin back down to her normal state of quasi-apprehension, hidden by nonchalance. Adama was weary by the end of it. The room finally fell silent when she ran out of words, the only sound the muffled noise of the city, bleeding in through the thin walls.
"I think I'm going to hit the sack. I'm beat," he said eventually, pushing himself up off the couch wearily. He stretched and headed for the washroom. Roslin stopped him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
He leaned down, pressing their foreheads together. "It's okay. You had every right to be upset. I'm proud of you for not blowing up during the talks."
She giggled. "I was awfully close you know."
"I could feel it. I prayed you'd hold off till we were done."
She raised an eyebrow. "You prayed?"
"It happens. Occasionally. Rarely." He smiled. "Now as wonderful as this feels, I'd like to get myself ready for bed and climb between the sheets. We missed out on a night's sleep and it's been a very long day."
"Silk."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Silk. The sheets are silk."
It was Adama's turn for the eyebrow. "Really," was all he said.
Roslin smiled and pulled her arms back to her sides. "Don't let me keep you."
XXXXX
They lay in bed somewhat later, now physically as well as mentally exhausted. Adama's eyes were closed but he was seeing the same thing he would have seen had he opened them - absolute darkness. He realized, as an aside to his other more pressing thoughts, that it was true that people who'd lost their sight had much heightened acuity in their other senses. He heard and could picture every sound coming from the hotel hallway and out on the street. Roslin's light, shallow breathing beside him told him she was still awake despite her weariness. He could almost hear the crash of her eyelashes on her cheeks as she blinked.
"You're not asleep yet," he whispered.
"Neither are you."
"Touche."
She paused and he could almost hear the wheels in her mind turning furiously. Or perhaps it was just his mind ...
"What are you thinking?" she asked gently.
"That I don't want to die when this world goes nuclear."
She rolled on her side to face him. "Really? Do you think it's going to come to that."
"Yes."
She shivered at his decisive tone. "I was really hoping we could stop it."
He reached for her and drew her close again. "So was I."
Tears sprang to her eyes at the incredible sadness in his voice. "What can we do?" She struggled to keep her voice even.
"Nothing."
Roslin leaned up on one elbow and stared down at him, finding his eyes in the darkness. "That is not like you Admiral."
"In case you haven't noticed Laura, I'm not an Admiral here." His words were laced with bitterness. "There's nothing I can do."
"Then think like a father and grandfather. What about your family?"
For a moment she was afraid he was going to blow up at her; his face was livid in the shadows. Then he sat up. "You're right. I have to save them."
She stroked his arm. "That's the Bill Adama I know and fell in love with. He never quits." She smiled warmly. "Now let's get busy and do what we do best."
He pulled her into a fierce hug and lay them both down, enjoying the weight of her head on his chest. "I don't know much about society here but considering how scared everyone is of the possibility of nuclear war, I'd say they have no defenses. I think Galactica may be the only way ... "
XXXXX
Lee marveled at how easily he was adjusting to parenthood, as he poured cereal and juice for the children's breakfasts. They sat and talked of this and that while they ate, seeming to accept that having Lee around instead of Kara was fine. He caught Zach staring wistfully out the window a few times and felt his son's pain. I miss her too, he thought, heart clenching at the possibility of living without her again. He pushed the thought away and smiled brightly. He was their role model - he couldn't sink down into pity and despair. They needed someone to keep them afloat. Besides, you promised Kara you'd take care of them and this is one promise to her that you're not going to break.
He helped them dress and tidy up their beds and then panic hit him. Weren't they supposed to be in school? Reason took over. Sure Zach was old enough to be in school but Lee had no idea where he went, how to get there or even if there was any transportation available. He wouldn't be allowed to drive Kara's car, even if it was similar enough to vehicles back on Caprica that he could figure it out. And what would he tell them when he got there anyway? They would wonder why Kara or Michael wasn't the one bringing Zach. Telling the truth would just bring more trouble down on them and he knew he wasn't a good enough liar to make up a story.
As if on cue, the phone began to ring. Lee's heart began to pound. It's the school, calling to find out why Zach isn't there. If I don't answer it then I won't have to deal with it. At least not now. His heart calmed for a couple of beats then resumed it's fast pace. What if it's Kara, calling because she needs you?
Frak. He had to answer it. He moved towards the phone, debating with himself on what to say. 'Hello' just seemed wrong - he'd likely be mistaken for Michael and then he'd have to come clean. 'Thrace residence' didn't work because Thrace wasn't the only surname used here and damned if he could remember Michael's last name. It just hadn't seemed important when they'd been introduced.
"Hello?" For lack of anything better, if would have to do. If he had to explain, so be it.
"Is this Mr Lee Adama?"
"Yes, who's this?" he answered warily, not recognizing the voice.
"Detective Nelson of the Washington Police Department."
"Is Kara alright?" The words tumbled out before he could stop them.
"She's fine. We're ready to release her but we need you to answer some questions for us."
"Okay ... but I have no way of getting there and I've got Kara's children. I can't just leave them."
"We'll send her home and bring you back with us on the return trip."
"Oh." He'd hoped objecting might make the man change his mind about taking him in but he ought to have known better. Law enforcement always had a plan. "Um, sure. That will be fine," he said absently, mind already spinning as he anticipated their questions. "So you don't need Kara anymore?"
"Not at the moment. We'll be dispatching a car shortly. Please be ready when it arrives."
"Yes sir." The habit of obedience came naturally after years of working in the military structure. He'd been out of it a long while but it was something he'd never quite lost.
He gathered Zach and Sara and told them the news. The were ecstatic to hear Kara was coming home but the sadness in Sara's eyes reminded him of what she'd said in the night - ' if mommy comes then you'll get left behind. I want both of you to come' . Come where? He had no idea. But there was no way anything was going to separate him from Kara and his family.
He figured the wait would be a long one but it went by quickly and the knock at the door startled him when it came, seemingly only a few minutes later.
"Hi." Kara smiled sadly.
"Hi."
Lee was sure the wealth of emotion that passed between them in that one look went unnoticed, until he met eyes with the detective accompanying Kara. The man knew, it was plain as day. He flushed and looked away, watching Kara and the children's reunion.
She looked up and their eyes locked. "Thank you," she whispered, reaching out and touching his hand briefly, fingertips brushing against his for a moment before withdrawing.
He sighed and hesitated a moment, though he could feel the officer's hurry.
"Let's go."
He looked back and mouthed "bye" sadly, wishing he could gather them up all into his arms and never let go.
XXXXX
" ... things aren't looking good. The Iraqi government is being careful with their words but it would seem as though they need more convincing to believe these otherworlder's story. Word has it the American government will be having a press conference first thing in the morning to allow the details to be made public."
Lee shook his head at the radio announcer's words.
Nelson shot him a quick look. "So are you really who you say you are?" he asked curiously.
No, we're humanoid machines that have figured out how to act like humans and have come here to take over your planet. Perhaps sarcasm wouldn't be the best option to get on the man's good side. "Yes," he said instead.
"How do you explain the fact that there are two separate groups of the same race so far apart? We don't even have light speed travel. It's still a theoretical concept here."
"The history of my people in the religious scriptures state that there were originally Thirteen Colonies ... "
Nelson listened raptly as he drove. Lee explained many of the legends contained in the Pythian scrolls.
"So you think we're the Thirteenth Colony?"
Lee shrugged. "I think that's the hypothesis we're working under. As you say, it seems rather coincidental to have two sets of the same peoples originating at opposite ends of the universe."
"Mmmhmm."
Conversation stopped for a long while as Nelson negotiated the road back to DC and Lee stared out at the sky. It seemed so very large and open that one could get lost easily but Lee had always felt more at home out there than he ever had on any planet. Maybe he was just born to be a space traveler. The way things are looking, you're going to have to get yourself back out there and soon. Life here is hanging by a fragile thread ... The very thought made his heart pound with fear. Galactica was the only safe place in the universe. He had to get his family there as soon as possible.
"So are you still in love with her?"
"Wha ... I beg your pardon?" Lee's head whipped around. "Shouldn't you be waiting for the detective in charge of the case to do the questioning?"
"That would be me. I'm Nelson."
"Oh." He cleared his throat. "Seems a little odd that you wouldn't send a subordinate to do a pickup."
"I wanted to get out of the office for a while. Talking now means we should get finished sooner." Nelson paused. "Unless you have an objection. If you'd prefer to wait till we get back so you can have your lawyer present ... "
"I don't have a lawyer. I don't even know any lawyers." Except Romo. Mind you, even if he were still alive I wouldn't trust him to be on my side. Bastard never tired of playing games. He smiled slightly at the memory of Baltar's trial. It had been the beginning of the end for him. Though it had been difficult, it had been a watershed moment for him. He'd never gone back to being Apollo after that and had been a better person for it. "I haven't been here that long."
"Right, I forgot." Nelson cleared his throat apologetically. "If you'd rather wait though ... "
"No, go ahead. I have nothing to hide." Not really ...
"Okay, I'll start again. Are you still in love with her?"
"Her being Kara Thrace? Yes." His cheeks flamed and he fervently hoped that one day he'd be able to shout again to the world that he loved Kara Thrace without it causing embarrassment to either of them.
"Care to tell me about it?"
Lee stole a quick glance at the other man. He could swear he saw sympathy in the soft lines of his jaw. "I've always loved her. It's just one of those things. If I could have stopped I would have, but there's just something about her that's gotten under my skin and it just won't go away."
"I can understand that."
Lee felt the old familiar jealousy prickle at the thought of another man being interested in her. He tried to let it go - the guy couldn't help himself. Kara was like that - always had been, attracting nearly every man who'd crossed her path.
"It's not like it ever would have worked for us anyway," Lee continued, feeling his ears burn. "We've always fought too much to have a real relationship." He stared out the front window. "It's always been frak or fight with us."
"Frak?"
The two men's eyes met. "Oh. I see. It was like that."
Lee flushed even more deeply, if that was possible. "Yeah. We both knew it would never go anywhere."
"Maybe you wanted it to," Nelson said quietly, eyes facing firmly forward. "Maybe you were willing to remove what stood between you in order to have her."
Lee let out a soft chuckle. "She's the passionate one, not me. She'd have been more likely to take a shot at my wife than I would be to take out her husband."
"You're married?"
"I was."
"Not anymore?"
"My wife died years ago, in the plague that killed many of us."
"I'm sorry." The words were perfunctory. "I was a little confused there, since a woman who said her name was 'Kathryn' came forward to talk to us, claiming she was your girlfriend."
"She's not." Lee practically growled the words. Kathryn! The bitch came and told on us - she's the one who put us in this situation. "She was," he continued, trying to keep his voice even, "but I ended things between us a short while ago."
"Short while?"
Lee took a deep breath. "It just wasn't working out. I wasn't as fond of her as she was of me and she wanted us to get married. I had to end it so I wasn't stringing her along."
Nelson nodded. "I understand. It can be difficult when you're stuck in that kind of situation."
Lee frowned, unsure as to whether or not the man actually agreed with him or was just pretending to be sympathetic to gain his trust, thereby making the kill easier when he chose to stick the metaphorical dagger in.
"So you're content to 'just be friends with Ms Thrace then."
"Listen, I was shocked to find Kara alive when we arrived here. The accident that brought her here ... " he struggled to find words, " it seemed to us as if she'd died. Finding her here and learning that we had a son together?" He shook his head. "It was a lot to process. But Kara's married and she and her family seem happy. I wouldn't want to ruin that. All I want is for us to be friends and to spend time with my son and get to know him."
Nelson nodded and murmured his thanks, then grew silent as he dealt with the busy city traffic.
Lee watched the thousands of people in their cars and on foot as they passed and wondered if this was how it was just before the attack on Caprica. Did people suspect it was coming? At least here they knew there was a possibility yet no one seemed to care. They all rushed to and fro, seemingly lost in their own little worlds.
Maybe it didn't matter. There was nothing they could do anyway. Maybe none of it mattered anymore.
XXXXX
Sharon peeked out the window to find the sun shining brightly. She'd tried to go back to sleep but her mind had spun and it had caused her to pace restlessly all night. That's the advantage of being Cylon, she thought. You don't get weary, no matter how hard you push yourself. A memory came suddenly - the early days of their retreat when they'd been attacked every thirty-three minutes and she'd surprised everyone by not crashing hard at the lack of sleep and abundance of stress. She'd surprised even herself. Upon reflection, she should have guessed she was a Cylon from that - no one could take the punishment they'd had to face and not break down. Despite it's pluses though, she'd have traded her Cylon body for a human many times over if she could have.
Was it too early to call Kara? She drew the curtains closed again to let her daughters sleep and checked the bedside clock. Almost nine. It was surprising the girls were still sleeping, but then again, life had been pretty stressful for them and they needed the catch-up.
She debated calling for a few minutes but decided to go ahead. The feeling inside - the fluttery worried feeling - was insistent and she needed to do something.
"Hello?" Kara's voice sounded weary and Sharon immediately regretted calling so early.
"Hi Kara."
"Sharon?"
"Yeah it's me. Sorry to be calling so early ... "
"It's okay. Rough night."
Sharon exhaled softly. "I know what you mean."
"Yeah, you do."
There was silence on the line for a full minute.
"Anyway, I was wondering if we could come see you." Sharon held her breath as the silence grew. She should have known better. Kara had merely tolerated her since finding out she was a Cylon. And even then, only for Karl's sake because the two of them were old friends. She shouldn't have presumed ...
"I'd like that."
It caught her off-guard. Tears began to prickle in her eyes. See? You're as human as she is.
"I don't know if they'll let you leave the hotel though, circumstances being what they are, so we'll come to you."
"Sounds good." She hoped the warmth she felt as she spoke came across.
"We can be there for ten. Is that okay?"
"Great."
"See you in a while."
It wasn't till she heard the click of the phone on the other end that she realized she'd been so lost in thought that she'd forgotten to say goodbye. She felt a warmth inside despite the dire situation they were in.
It was going to be good to see family again. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed Kara till now.
TBC
