~ Bright, Shiny Futures - Chapter Fifty-Six ~

"Are you ready?"

Laura managed a weak smile. It didn't reassure Eve, but she was there and the time was now. She put an arm around Laura's shoulders and gave them a squeeze. "It'll all be over soon."

Laura drew in a deep breath, counted to ten, then let it out slowly. "Let's get it done."

* * * * * * * * * *

"Dradis contact."

Adama stopped pacing and snapped his head around. "Is it Helo?"

"Aye sir. And a few surprises," Hoshi answered readily.

Adama's eyes swiveled up to the screen to see for himself. Helo's Raptor was there and the two missing ships. And a Basestar.

"Frak," he swore, letting out his breath in a long exhale. He watched the Dradis intently as they moved towards the cluster of ships. He wished it could tell him if there was weapons fire but the only way he'd know was if a transponder was destroyed and one of the ships disappeared from the screen.

"Sir, all fleet ships ready for jump except the shuttle from Colonial One, which is en route to Galactica."

"ETA?"

"Two minutes."

"Set jump clock for three minutes. Don't take us in too close - we don't want to antagonize them unnecessarily."

"Transmitting coordinates sir."

Adama continued to stare at the screen but his mind was only partly engaged. He listened carefully to the chatter from the hangar bay as the shuttle landed, hoping to hear if his son was on board. There was a good chance Lee hadn't come on this trip but somehow he had the feeling he had. Gut instinct. He hoped it was right. They were all capable of doing what needed to be done in case of emergency but he always felt more comfortable with his family in close proximity when there was potential danger.

* * * * * * * * * *

Lee climbed out of the Raptor, eyes blinking at the brightness of the bay. Space was dark and though the trip to Galactica had been short, his eyes had begun to grow heavy and close. He drew in a few deep breaths and stretched in an attempt to wake up.

"Hey Chief," he greeted Tyrol, as the pilot passed the ship's manifest over for the post-flight check.

"Apollo," Tyrol nodded. Their eyes met and they shared a knowing but sad smile. Lee felt bad for him but at the same time couldn't help but feel his heart leap at the thought of being with his family.

"All hands prepare for jump in ten-nine-eight-seven-six-five-four-three-two-one ... "

The feeling was one he'd never get used to. It felt like being turned inside out, held upside down, and flipped head over heels over and over again, all at the same time. And yet not quite. He'd experienced it enough times to recover quickly from the jarring and often sickly sensations it caused but he knew many who were still ill for long periods after it was over. He took a deep breath to calm his stomach then continued.

"Lee Adama and Kara Thrace please report to CIC. Pass the word to Lee Adama and Kara Thrace. Please report to CIC immediately."

A couple of corridors later on his way to the heart of the ship, he ran into Kara and the children.

"Hey," he said, feeling his insides warm up several degrees as he and Kara shared a smile. She walked towards him and kissed him - it was a quick but heartfelt gesture and it rose his internal temperature several more degrees.

"I have to take these guys to the babysitter. I'll meet you there shortly," she said.

"Let me take them." Lee leaned down and hugged the children. "Hi guys." They hugged him and smiled and his heart felt as though it would burst. "You need to be there more urgently than I do," he explained. "You're the one in charge of this mission. I'll take the kids and come later."

"Are you sure?"

Sara slipped her hand into Lee's. He smiled. "I'm sure."

Kara gave her children a hug. "Be good. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"That's okay mommy. It's fun there," Zach said eagerly.

"Good. Let's get you there as soon as we can then," Lee said playfully. "Bet I can run faster than you." They took off laughing as Kara turned and headed quickly towards CIC.

* * * * * * * * * *

Adama picked up the headset. "This is the Admiral," he said gruffly.

"I wanted to let you know that your wife's surgery has been successfully completed. She's resting comfortably now and I expect her to wake in about thirty minutes."

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

Kara entered the CIC just in time to hear Adama's last words. She walked over and touched his arm lightly. "Everything okay?"

He nodded but she couldn't help but see the bounce of his Adam's apple as he swallowed nervously. She squeezed his arm. "Any word on Helo? I'm sure you didn't call us down here just to see my pretty face."

She smiled inwardly as his mouth pulled up in an involuntary smile.

"The Major has most certainly been found and look who he brought home for dinner." He waved at the Dradis. As they watched, the Raptor's signal became one with the Basestar's. Kara bit her lip.

"Trouble?" Adama asked.

"Maybe. I hope not."

Lee walked into CIC then, very out of breath, and joined them, eyes turning upwards to see what they were talking about. "Frak."

"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing," Kara said, unconsciously shifting over so they were standing side by side, shoulders touching. "But Karl warned us there were Cylons and now he's getting friendly with them so that would suggest maybe they've a different agenda than the ones who were hell-bent on destroying us."

"Or he was forced in at gunpoint," Lee suggested.

"There's only one way to find out," Adama said grimly. "Hoshi?"

"All frequencies, sir?" the man, ever-ready, asked.

"All frequencies."

"Yes sir." He fiddled with some buttons then nodded. "Ready."

"This is Admiral Adama of the Colonial Fleet speaking. Identify yourselves and state your purpose."

"It's good to hear your voice again Admiral."

"Sam?" Kara breathed. her mouth dropped open. "Sammy, is that really you?"

"Yeah, it's really me." She could hear the smile behind his words.

"Is Major Agathon there with you?" Adama nearly interrupted.

"Yes sir."

"Let me speak with him."

"I don't know if he can ... " He broke off and there was nothing but static for a moment.

"Admiral?"

"Helo ... are you okay?"

"I'm fine. We're all fine. No one was harmed. Well except maybe that dickhead Havelka's pride."

Adama laughed out loud. "Lock him up and let him stew. I can't wait to talk to him."

"Are you sure? I'd be happy to take him apart for you."

"I'm sure you would be. I'll take that suggestion under advisement. Until then, hands off. Understood?"

"Understood." They could all hear the sigh and smiled at one another.

"I think the big questions now are who are you with and what's going on. Let me talk to Anders again."

"It's a long story sir," Sam said moments later, "but the short version is that this ship is filled with survivors from Earth and we're looking for a place to call home, just as you are."

"How did Earth people end up on a Cylon ship?" Kara voiced the question they were all asking themselves.

"They're Cylons. Like me. Like the other four."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Laura's head swam as she reached for consciousness. Everything was fuzzy but when she blinked to try to clear her vision nausea overtook her and she shut her eyes firmly again.

"Take it slow," she heard a kindly voice say, and a light hand touched her arm. "The anasthesia leaves you feeling nauseous and dizzy but it'll wear off soon. Just keep your eyes closed and let it pass."

She did as bidden and lay still, listening to the hum of the machines monitoring her vital signs. It was a comforting sound, like the hum of Galactica herself. Eventually her insides began to feel less frazzled and she tried opening her eyes again.

"Better?" Eve asked with a smile.

"A little," Laura croaked. Her throat felt like sandpaper left out in the sun too long. "Water?" she asked hopefully.

"if you think you can hold it down." Eve stood and poured a small glass.

Laura swallowed her pride (hard though it was given the condition of her throat) and allowed Eve to lift her head and pour a small trickle into her mouth. Her eyes closed and she smiled in gratitude. "Thanks."

"Just let me know when you want some more. You'll be feeling a bit rough for a few hours but you should be able to sit up and drink on your own later."

Laura nodded and closed her eyes again. "Where's Bill?" she whispered almost soundlessly.

"I let him know you're okay," Eve said, putting a hand comfortingly on the older woman's arm. "He'll be here as soon as he can."

Laura allowed herself to sink back into oblivion as fatigue pulled at her. Time enough to wake later when the drugs had worn off and she felt a little more human.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Cylons? What the frak?" Hoshi's words were the ones close enough to be heard properly but it was clear from the look on their faces that everyone else was as shocked as he was. He turned to Kara. "Did you know your husband was a Cylon?"

"I uh ... "

"You did. You knew." His words were like an arrow in the back; his tone of voice the poison. His eyes narrowed. "You lived with a frakking skinjob and never told us he was one of the enemy."

"She didn't know." Sam had obviously been listening. "None of the Final Five knew what we were until we reached Earth. It was like a switch was flipped or something and suddenly there it was."

The room was dead silent. Hoshi still stared at Kara through slitted eyes. Lee's shoulder bumped against hers as he moved closer.

"It's true. He told us when we were on Earth. I never had any idea when I was back with the fleet before ... " Kara trailed off.

He lightened up a little. "Why haven't you told us yet?"

"There hasn't exactly been time, what with Earth destroying itself, us having to leave in a hurry and the rogue ships taking off with a bunch of our people. I haven't really had time for a sit down discussion about my life," she added, a grimace screwing up her face.

"Now isn't really the time to be airing these concerns," Adama broke in, locking eyes with Hoshi for a moment. "What do you suggest we do Major?" he asked Helo.

"I say we come together. All of us. We're stronger together and maybe if we combine our knowledge we can find a new home that much faster."

Adama didn't respond at first and Kara knew exactly what was going through his mind. Can we trust them? As his eyes caught hers she nodded very slightly.

"Make it happen Major." Adama signaled to Hoshi to cut the connection. "I'm going to leave you in charge of things for the moment," he said to Lee. "I have someplace else I need to be right now."

Lee touched his father's arm. "I hope she's okay," he said softly. "Give her our love."

* * * * * * * * * *

The next time she opened her eyes a warm voice spoke.

"Good to see you back."

Laura smiled then opened her eyes. Bill's smile made her feel better instantly. She squeezed his hand. "I feel awful."

He chuckled and stroked her hair off her face. "You look beautiful." He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Oh good, Admiral. I'm glad you're here." Eve smiled at him as she entered Laura's cubicle and realized he was there. "May I speak with you?"

"In a few minutes," he acknowledged. "I'll come by your office on my way back to CIC."

She nodded and withdrew, leaving them alone for a few minutes.

"How are things going? Did you find Major Agathon?" Laura asked.

"Don't you worry yourself about any of that. Concentrate on getting better. That's a big enough order."

She nodded but Adama could still see the question hanging in her eyes. "Yes, we've found him and it looks like things are going to be okay. Lee can hold down the fort for you till you're feeling well enough to come back."

She smiled and closed her eyes.

"Get some rest Laura. I'll be back in a little while."

The sound of her even breathing as he pulled the curtain shut behind him told him she was already almost asleep.

"You wanted to see me?" he said softly to Eve, disturbing her from paperwork.

"Yes."

"Is everything okay?" he asked worriedly. "You said ... "

"Everything's fine Admiral. The surgery went well. I'm pretty sure the tumour was completely removed. What I'm concerned about is making sure that Ms Roslin takes her medication consistently. It will have some nasty side effects ... "

"Such as?" Adama interrupted.

"Well ... let me put it this way. In a few days she's going to start feeling better but the pills I'm going to give her are going to sap all her energy and make her feel nauseous. They may even cause some hair loss. I'm afraid she's going to stop taking them when she realizes what's happening."

"Whatever gave you that idea?"

Eve chuckled at his wry tone. "I'm charging you to make sure she takes her medication no matter what. Can I count on you?"

"Yes sir," Adama said with a mock salute. "I thought I was the Admiral around here. You're thoroughly enjoying your chance to outrank me, aren't you?"

She smiled widely. "You bet."

"I promise Laura Roslin will take her medicine, or I will die trying to get it into her."

* * * * * * * * * *

The stayed in contact while the ships came into formation and Helo brought Havelka to Galactica. Gaeta was called upon to escort him to the brig and Helo took over command while Athena shuttled Lee and Kara to the Basestar.

Sam was there to greet them. Lee shook his hand in manly fashion and Kara hugged him. "Wow, it really is you," she said in wonderment as she stared closely at him. A hand reached up involuntarily and caressed his cheek.

Lee felt a knot begin to twist in his gut.

"I'm glad you got a second chance," Kara said softly. "You deserve it after sacrificing yourself to save me."

"I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

Lee cleared his throat as the silence grew heavy. "Maybe we should go somewhere we can talk about all this." He gestured at the cavernous walls surrounding them.

Sam and Kara broke apart. "Of course. I'll take you to see Zero. She's the leader of this group and the one with the answers to your questions. And there's someone else I want to introduce you to."

They walked in silence down the corridors and Kara marveled at how quiet it was. "How many people are there here?" she asked.

"I'm not sure exactly. Ten thousand? Maybe a little more."

"Wow. How did that many people get off Earth after they starting shooting nuclear weapons?"

"Easy. They were never on Earth." Sam looked at both of their faces; puzzled, but not even sure which questions to ask. "I'll let Zero explain it to you. I'm not even quite sure of all the details myself."

He led them into an ante-chamber which led into an interior room that was fully furnished. Two people waited for them; one an elderly lady with white hair who had a genuinely welcoming smile on her face, the other a young man with sparse light brown hair, greying at the temples, with a serious face. There was a familiar look in his eyes. Kara couldn't quite place it although she was sure she'd seen it before.

"Welcome friends," the woman said, coming towards them with outstretched arms. "We are so happy to see you after all the years we've waited. It is a great joy, particularly to me, as I am nearly the end of my journey and I wasn't sure if I would live to see your arrival."

"Who are you?" Lee asked, perhaps a trifle warily.

"I have many names. I have been known as Amelia, sometimes Zero - although that's my designation rather than an actual name. You know me as God."

~ TBC ~