The next date was a one-on-one date with Tom Zarek. They were sent to the oldest temple in Sagittaron, and were given a guided tour by one of the most respected priestesses in the Colonies, Elosha. Even though she was never really religious, Laura found herself mesmerized by the eloquent priestess who spoke in a kind and understanding voice. She paid close attention throughout the tour, feeling she owed the gods her for her life and her friendship with Bill.

Zarek provided Laura with enough space to walk through the tour and listen to Elosha. He knew there would be time to talk at dinner. Knowing his place in the hierarchy within the mansion, Zarek had no illusions about receiving a rose or getting invited to the fantasy suite. Laura would only pretend to be interested to a certain extent-it simply wasn't in her to hide her obvious affection for Commander Adama. And why should she? The show was designed to manufacture love, so why is it her fault that it actually worked-and better and faster than it ever had before in the history of faux reality vid shows?

Zarek wasn't stupid. As he told her during his visit at her hospital bedside, he knew he had no future with her. What would a beautiful Secretary of Education want with a convicted terrorist? He was there simply to gain ratings for the fledgling summer program. The producers explained as much, and even if they hadn't, he would have figured that much out himself. So he didn't profess his love for her-because it wasn't there in the first place. He didn't try to charm her or impress her with his knowledge of Sagittaron history-because that wasn't really his strong suit anyway. He'd enjoy her company and expect to be sent packing at the end of the evening. She'd never give him a rose on a one-on-one date: That would send a message she didn't want sent.

"You're awfully quiet today, Tom."

"I'm just watching you immerse yourself in Sagittarian history. Do you pay this close attention to everything you encounter?"

"I do have a pretty strong education background. So I guess I enjoy learning as much as I did teaching or overseeing Colonial education."

"Do you like your job?"

"I feel like I get something right every now and then. When that happens, I feel fulfilled and genuinely enjoy my work. That doesn't happen as often as I'd like, though. I feel our education system is better than it ever was before, but it's still not as good as I'd like it to be. As Secretary, I have a lot of power, but I can only influence the President so much."

"Do you ever miss just teaching?"

"Every day."

"How long before you retire?"

"I'll probably never fully retire. I like to keep busy. So, I'll resign in a few years or so. Build a cabin in some remote area to retire in, but I'll probably return to teaching at least part time, or something."

"That'll be nice for you, Laura."

"Yeah. It's a nice dream to keep me going for now."

"Shall we continue to dinner?"

"Lead the way."

Dinner with Tom was at Sagittaron's finest steakhouse. They were seated on the back patio, and had it entirely to themselves-except for the crowd of cameramen and producers. The service was excellent, the food delicious, and Tom and Laura were able to eat companionably. They didn't pretend to be falling in love, but they were considerate with each other and regarded one another with genuine interest.

"You've heard all about my plans for the future. What about you Tom? You must have some ideas for another book or something."

"Yeah. I saw a lot of things during my time in prison. I could write a pretty compelling book, I'm sure. It'll probably be banned, but some people will still read it."

"Yes. That happens with banned books."

"Laura?"

"Yes, Tom?"

"I just want you to know, I know where we stand. You'll never be in love with me, and I could never make it work with you."

"You're right about that."

"I'm not going to lie; I'm very attracted to you, but I'd never in a million years be able to earn your trust or your love."

"I like how you treat trust and love on nearly equal terms."

"Aren't they? What's the point in loving someone you can't trust?"

"Good point."

"The dating options for a convicted terrorist are probably pretty slim, but I'll be okay."

"I don't know, Tom. Some women go for that kind of thing-fall in love with serial killers they wrote to in prison. You're getting a lot of exposure from this show. People will see you treating me with respect, caring for me during my treatments, and they'll see there's more to you than your criminal record."

"Thank you."

"I guess now we're getting to the point where I'm either supposed to give you a rose or not. For all the reasons you already mentioned, I couldn't possibly give you a rose tonight. We don't fit and it would be wrong of me to lead you on any further."

"I appreciate your honesty. Good luck, Laura."

Tom gave Laura a quick peck on the cheek, before getting into the cab to exit the show.

"What can I say? I knew she wouldn't give me a rose tonight. Laura's a beautiful, intelligent, sweet, caring, awesome woman, and she's way out of my league. I knew that from the beginning. She was considerate of my feelings and never led me to believe she was interested. She never acted like she was better than me, and I like that about her. If she ever found herself furthering her political career, I'd support her," Tom said during his cab-confessional.

After Tom left the restaurant, Laura returned to her suite, knowing she had done the right thing. She missed Bill and longed to talk to him, but she'd have to wait until the rose ceremony to see him again. Laura fell asleep thinking of her Commander.

The next date was the following evening. It was right in the center of Caprica City at the museum of science and technology. Laura's date was with Dr. Baltar and Greg (or somebody), whose voice sounded nearly identical to Meatwad's from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, which is the furthest thing from a compliment imaginable.

The museum date was the chance for Dr. Baltar to illustrate his full range of intelligence. However, he mostly just came off as arrogant and irritating. Poor Meatwad couldn't follow the conversation very well, so he tried to make small talk with Laura instead.

"I'm glad you're feeling better, Laura. I wanna be the protector of your heart."

"Well, thank you Greg. But don't you think I should be responsible for my heart?"

"Everybody needs someone to look out for them."

"Hmm."

"I guess you have Commander Adama for that."

"Bill does look out for me."

"He does, and you look out for him too."

"That's how it's supposed to be in a relationship."

"If you were with me, I'd look out for you, and I'd sing for you, and I'd get a tattoo of a heart and a shield for you."

"Oh sweetie. I'm too old for you. You need a nice girl your own age; someone who wants those things from you. You deserve someone who can appreciate you."

"I like older women."

"But I'm not interested in being a cougar."

"Why?"

"I need an intellectual equal. Someone with whom I can truly share my life."

"And I can't be that?"

"I'm afraid not. Not for me."

"What about Gaius? He's really smart."

"I doubt Gaius would consider me his equal, and I won't be patronized."

"I hardly think I patronize you, Laura. I just know more than you about a great many things."

"Well, do you have any interest in dating me further, or gods forbid, proposing to me?"

"Sure, if you keep me around that long."

"But you'll never love me."

"I could learn to love you. I am attracted to you already. How hard could it be to manufacture love?"

"You see, Greg. This is my point. You try too hard to pursue me with promises of love and sweetness. And Gaius would have to fake it to please the network. I couldn't be happy with either of you, and I won't pretend otherwise. Now, I have no interest in giving either of you a rose, and the rules dictate that you go home tonight if you don't get a rose, so if you don't mind I'd like to skip dinner, and conclude this date."

Laura left both men stunned and headed to the fancy seafood restaurant alone.

Meanwhile, Greg and Dr. Baltar rode home in separate cabs.

"I would have given her my heart, but she didn't want it. Maybe she's right. I just need to find someone who'll appreciate me."

"I really don't care that I got sent home. Now I can go pursue all the women I want. Look at the gorgeous blond woman on the corner there. Can we stop and pick her up?" Gaius asked the driver.

The next date was a perfectly boring two-on-one date that isn't worth reading about (or writing about). Laura gave the rose to the nicest man of the two-Wally Grey, which meant the other man had to go home. After the date was over, Laura went home thrilled that she was finished dating for the week and could see Bill at the rose ceremony. She had sent four men home already, so she wouldn't have to send anyone else home. The ceremony would just be for fun.