~ Bright, Shiny Futures - Chapter Fifty-Nine ~
The first thing Laura Roslin saw when she woke was her beloved's face. She smiled. "How long have you been here?" she asked, voice still raspy with sleep.
"A while." He stroked her cheek lovingly. "You're looking good today."
"Wish I could say the same about you." She grinned impishly but Adama spotted the worry in her eyes. "You look like something the cat dragged in."
"At least the cat thought I was worth bringing inside."
She actually laughed out loud and reached for his hand to give it a squeeze. "That's what I love about you, you can always make me laugh."
"And here I thought it was my rugged good looks that kept you coming back for more."
"Not so good now," Laura said, growing serious. "You look like you haven't slept."
"I haven't."
"Tell me." She squeezed his hand again.
"I'm not sure you'll believe me."
"Try me."
Adama drew in a slow breath. "I'm a Cylon. Part-Cylon," he clarified.
She said nothing.
"Well?"
"You're kidding me, right?"
"Not kidding."
She pursed her lips. "This isn't funny Bill."
"That's an understatement. It's not funny in the slightest. I totally agree."
Laura pushed herself up further till she was sitting fully upright. Her face was stern. "Tell me."
He did, omitting nothing. Her eyes narrowed as he stopped. "You believe her?"
Adama sighed heavily with equal parts frustration and tiredness. "I don't know what to think anymore Laura. Her story about being a Cylon, the Earthpeople, the fact that she's on a Basestar ... all of that would seem to point to her story being true."
"Perhaps that part of it, but what about the fact that she's apparently God and your mother as well? Good Lord Bill, do you have any idea how crazy that sounds?"
"Actually I do," he said softly. "I'm not entirely sure I believe it either but the evidence ... it's hard to just dismiss it out of hand. She knows too much and it all meshes with my memories perfectly. How would she know all of those things if she was just making it all up?"
"She's a Cylon Bill. They're capable of anything. You should know that by now."
"Knowing personal facts about my childhood that happened seventy years ago and that no one else but me could possibly have known? I don't think they're capable of that."
"Look at Leoben Conoy. He claimed to be able to see the past and future and knew everything that had ever happened or was going to happen."
"He's also the one who claimed Kara had a special destiny to save us all and it turned out he was right. He's also the one who told you, 'Adama is a Cylon'. It looks like he's right about that one as well."
"Looks are not proof."
"No, but at this point I've seen too many things that don't fit into my perception of how life is supposed to be. Maybe I need to open my mind a little and allow that just because I don't understand something, doesn't mean it isn't true."
There was a long silence as the two regarded one another. "So what are you going to do?" Laura finally asked.
"Zero, or whatever her name is, seems to be willing and able to help us find a new home to settle on. I think our best best is to work together to achieve that goal." Laura nodded acquiescence. "After that I'll deal with whether or not the other part of her story is true."
* * * * * * * * * *
Kara toweled Zach dry and ruffled his hair so it stood on end.
"Mom!"
She smiled and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Finish drying and get into your pajamas. I'll see you in a few minutes."
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, thankful bedtime wasn't far off. It had been a long day with no sleep the night before and the thought of dealing with Zero's revelations and combining their resources to find a home meant a good night's sleep was in order. But first a little alone time with Lee, her subconscious said slyly, causing an involuntary smile to light up her face. She'd spoken the truth earlier; she didn't care that Zero's revelation meant Lee was part Cylon. Hell, he could be fully Cylon and she wouldn't care! He was still Leland Joseph Adama and she'd loved him from the day they'd first met and would until the day death parted them. Maybe even beyond. Nothing could change that. And for once they were at the same place at the same time, wanting the same things from one another. That was a major miracle in and of itself and no matter what was going on around them, she was going to take advantage of that. Life is too short to waste even a single minute!
She pushed open the hatch to the main quarters, expecting to see Sara on her bed looking at books the she'd been only a few minutes earlier when Kara had peeked out of the bathroom.
The room was empty. Panic set in and she sprang for the door, noticing it was slightly ajar. What do I do with Zach while I go look for her? She was momentarily rooted to the spot as her mind spun, trying to think of a quick solution to her dilemma. Suddenly she had it, as her mind cleared and switched to Starbuck mode.
She poked her head out of the door, grateful the first face she saw belonged to Brendan Costanza. "Costanza!" she said loudly. "Come here."
Force of habit made him obey, only questioning why afterwards. "What's up Starbuck? I mean ... Kara."
She waved it off. "Starbuck is fine. Sara has gone missing and I need to find her." Her voice was slightly hysterical; she knew he could hear it but also knew he understood the emotion, being a parent himself now. "Stay here with Zach until I get back?"
Hotdog smiled inwardly, positive 'no' wasn't an option. "Sure thing."
She flashed him a grateful smile and after a quick word with Zach to let him know what was going on, she was out the door and looking down the corridors wildly. Which way wouold she have gone? she asked herself. Deeper into crew quarters? Maybe to find someone to play with? Or perhaps she's gone to find Lee? She frowned. What if she went the other way to go explore the ship? She could be anywhere.
Her heart began to beat wildly and she willed it to slow, closing her eyes and drawing deep breaths. Use your instincts, her subconscious whispered. You'll know where to find her. Despite the odd stares from people passing by, Kara stood absolutely still with her eyes closed for several long minutes. Then she opened them and turned to the right, decisively walking deeper into crew quarters territory.
It didn't take long to find her. An open door to an unoccupied room revealed voices - a child's and an older woman's - Sara and Zero.
"Sara! What do you think you're doing just leaving like that?" Kara cried, running over and throwing her arms around the little girl protectively. "You can't go running around the ship without me, and don't you remember you're not supposed to talk to strangers?"
"Mommy, she's not a stranger."
"Anyone you've never seen before is a stranger, even if they look sweet and kind."
"I have seen her before."
Kara's brow furrowed. "How? Where?"
"In my dreams."
* * * * * * * * * *
Lee nodded to the guard outside his father's quarters. The man nodded back pleasantly.
"Is he in?"
"Yes, but ... "
Lee's eyebrow twitched. "But what?"
"He just arrived back." The man swallowed. "With the President. I mean, his wife."
The door was ajar. Lee listened. "It's okay, they're just arguing. I won't be interrupting anything."
The guard shrugged, a half-smile adding a little humour to his stern visage. "Suit yourself. But I'm staying out here."
Lee returned his smile. "Fair enough." He pushed the hatch wider and let himself in. "Dad?" he said tentatively. He took a few steps forward. "Laura, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine."
He laughed and crossed the room to give her a gentle hug and kiss on the cheek. "I'd expect you to say that no matter what the circumstance."
She put on a brave smile. "Damn straight." She paused a minute then added, "you know me too well."
"Ah well, stubbornness is a trait I find easy to recognize." He gave his father an affectionate smile. "All of the people I love are stubborn and it drives me crazy."
"It takes one to know one," Laura admonished, reaching way back into her youth for the juvenile phrase. They all laughed.
Lee coughed self-consciously. "I don't want to impose, I just wanted to see how you were doing." He looked from one to the other, remembering the angry-sounding words he'd overheard in the corridor. "Is everything ... okay?"
Laura looked pointedly over at Bill. "Does he know?"
"About Zero supposedly being his mother?" Lee interrupted before his father could answer. "Yeah."
"Do you believe it?"
Lee drew in a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "I don't quite know what to believe. It sounds crazy but when you think of everything else we've seen and learned to accept ... perhaps it's just a matter of keeping an open mind."
Laura glared at Bill. "I don't want to keep an open mind," she groused. "I might lose my marbles."
Lee responded more quickly than his father. "I don't know what you're worried about, you lost your marbles a long time ago." They both stared at him, as if unable to believe his boldness. "Clearly. I mean, you married my father, didn't you?" He winked at her.
Adama frowned at his son in mock anger. "You've been spending far too much time with Starbuck lately."
"Just wait until we're married." The words slipped out.
"Oh, is that happening some time soon?" Laura asked politely, a teasing glint in her eye though her face was starting to grow pale.
Lee flushed. "Well it's not imminent, but I think that's where we're headed eventually."
"Bright, shiny futures," Bill murmured, a smile creasing his rugged face. "I hope it works out for the two of you."
"Me too." Lee smiled at them both. "Now I'd better run as Laura's looking a little tired. It must be nearly time for Zach and Sara to go to bed and I said I'd be back for that."
"Goodnight Lee."
"Goodnight Laura." He leaned in and kissed her cheek then he turned to embrace his father. "Goodnight dad."
"Goodnight son."
* * * * * * * * * *
Hotdog wiped imaginary sweat from his brow. Zach had been questioning him about Vipers and being a Viper pilot ever since Kara had left them alone together. Grilled was more like it - he'd spilled everything he knew but it didn't look like the kid was going to stop anytime soon!
"Who's the best viper pilot you know?" Zach asked.
"Your mom," he answered promptly.
"What about my dad? Wasn't he good?"
"One of the best."
"But not as good as my mom?"
"Well, yes. Sometimes. But not always."
"What do you mean?"
"Sometimes your dad was better than your mom. It depended on the circumstances."
"What does that mean?"
"It's hard to explain." Hotdog sighed and ran his hand through his hair, thankful his own son wasn't much into talking yet. Facing a squadron of Raiders was much easier than a seven-year-old with a hundred questions!
"Your mom and dad were both excellent pilots back in the day. But they flew a little differently and each of them was good at different things. Do you know what I mean?"
Zach frowned. "You mean like me and Peter at school? The teacher said we were the smartest kids in our class but I was good at math and he was good at spelling."
"Exactly like that!" Hotdog grinned, proud that he'd gotten through to the boy. "And what was best of all with your mom and dad was that when they flew together they were even better. It was amazing to watch them work as a team."
Zach smiled slyly, as if he had a secret to share. "Apollo and Starbuck are going to fly together again. They miss it."
"How do you know that?" Hotdog asked, turning the tables and getting to ask a question of his own for a change.
Zach's answering smile was enigmatic. "I just do. And one day I'm going to fly with them."
* * * * * * * * * *
Kara's mouth hung open at her daughter's admission. Zero had appeared to them in dreams and visions? She was dumbstruck. Why shouldn't that be possible? All Cylons are linked if they choose to tune in. If she is God and is responsible for creating all of the others then why shouldn't she have the ability to communicate with them? The children wouldn't know how to tap into that consciously but their subconscious minds are receptive. It all made sense. But it still made her feel prickly to know this woman had been communicating with her children without her knowledge or approval. But wait ...
"What about Zach? He hasn't had any dreams or visions but he's one of you. Directly related to you if your story is true. Why have you not communicated with him? He is your great grandson."
"You don't think I've tried child? I felt it when he was born - the knowledge that a new mind had been created is one we all share once we're able to access the collective. But his subconscious mind must have been fully occupied with other things so I haven't managed to get through." Her eyes implored Kara. "I want to meet him, to see him and talk to him. As you say, he's family."
Kara regarded her for a minute, then nodded. She took Sara's hand. "I'll go get him and Lee and we'll come back as soon as we can."
The elderly woman smiled and nodded wordlessly, lifting a very wrinkled old hand to wipe away her tears.
* * * * * * * * * *
The first person Kara bumped into - literally - upon leaving Zero's quarters was Lee. He threw his arms around her in an effort to stop them both falling to the floor. "Imagine meeting you like this," he said, smiling.
"Thank goodness!"
Lee must have sensed her anxiety as his smile vanished immediately to be replaced by a look of concern. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Kara attempted a small smile. "Zero wants to meet you and Zach. Seeing as how you're family." She swallowed. "I wasn't sure how easily I'd be able to find you and I didn't want to take the kids to her without you being with me."
He reached over and kissed her on the cheek. "Well I'm here so you don't have to worry anymore." He frowned. "Where's Zach?"
"I left him with Hotdog." At his upraised eyebrow she smirked. "Long story. Hopefully he survived okay."
"Zach? I'm sure he's fine."
"No, Hotdog." Her smile grew. "Zach can be a little ... what's the word again? Precocious at times and has been known to talk babysitters' ears off."
Lee grinned. "I can't imagine where he gets that from."
Kara elbowed him. "Come on, let's go get our son and get this over with."
* * * * * * * * * *
They returned a few minutes later, surprised to find Helo, Sharon, Hera, Kiera, Tyrol and Nicky all standing in the corridor. Kara took quick stock of the situation. The children were all looking at the hatch to Zero's room. The adults looked confused and a little anxious.
Helo moved over and stood beside Kara. "What's going on here?" he asked softly, bending his head to hers. "The girls insisted we go for a walk around the ship but they came straight here and won't budge."
Tyrol edged closer as well, obviously listening in. "Same here. Nicky has been depressed and telling me he doesn't want to leave our quarters and then all of a sudden he sprang up and dragged me here. What's going on?"
"What's behind that door?" Helo asked.
Kara bit her lip but met their eyes squarely. "The answers you've been wanting. Your children - and mine - have been drawn here by the woman responsible for the Cylon/human hybrids. They need to see her as much as she needs to see them, but I think we all need to stick close to them and to each other."
"What are you afraid of?" Tyrol asked.
Kara looked at Lee, drawing strength before answering. "I don't know. That's why I'm afraid."
~ TBC ~
