Laura was very glad when it finally came time for the rose ceremony. She had played the game well; there were only four bachelors left: Bill, Lee, Karl, and Wally. Everyone in the mansion knew it was always between Laura and Bill. And she wouldn't break any hearts: Lee and Karl wanted their Old Man to be happy, and Wally was an old friend of Adar; he'd get it, when she didn't give him a rose. But for that night, no one had to go home. She could spend time with Bill and his boys. She couldn't keep the smile from forming when Bill approached her.
"Hey, Beautiful."
"I could get used to that greeting. When you say it, I really feel beautiful."
"Have I told you how much I love you...in that color?"
"Good save, Admiral."
"Thank you, Madame President."
"I love you...in dress grays."
"Thank you."
"You know I could never be President right? I mean 42 other people would have to be bumped off first, and considering I was close to being bumped off a few weeks ago, I don't like my chances."
"I'll probably never be Admiral either, but to me, you'll always be my commander-in-chief, and I'll always be your admiral."
"I like that."
"As I understand it, nobody is going home tonight because you sent enough people home throughout the week. Why the ceremony, then?"
"Everybody's getting a rose, so we can have a nice evening. And I get to see you, so there's that."
"There's that."
"Are you going to ogle me all night, or are you going to ask me to dance?"
"I can dance."
Bill took Laura in his arms, and they danced to their own music as the other bachelors looked on.
An hour later, the rose ceremony went without incident. Everyone got a rose. Laura said goodnight to everyone and retreated to her private living quarters.
Throughout the next week Laura had the hometown dates with the final four bachelors. The first one was with Bill. Because of his age, Bill didn't have a traditional family for Laura to meet-aside from Lee, of course. So, his hometown was the Galactica, and his family were his crew.
So, on the appointed day of their date, the Colonial Fleet supplied Bill and Laura with a raptor, which Bill piloted himself, to take them to Galactica.
"And I thought you looked good in the grays. You look absolutely yummy in your flight suit."
"Why thank you, Madame Secretary. You don't look so bad yourself."
"So, what do I need to know before we arrive?"
"I'll introduce you to everyone. We'll spend the most time with my best friend Saul and my daughter Kara."
"Daughter?"
"She's like family. That's enough."
"Hmm. What are they like?"
"Saul can be pretty crude, especially when he's drunk. Kara has a tough exterior but she has a heart of gold."
"So I'll have a hard time winning them over then."
"They'll probably want to protect their Old Man."
"I'll roll the hard six."
"I know you will."
Laura realized she felt completely safe having Bill pilot their raptor. While travel between colonies was a regular part of Laura's job as Secretary of Education, she was never a huge fan of flying. She did it, and she wasn't afraid, but there was always a slight feeling of dread that accompanied her flights. That feeling wasn't present in the raptor.
As they approached the Galactica, Laura was in awe that the man she loved commanded such a huge vessel. She was even more impressed by his quiet confidence and commanding presence. Bill was a man who made even Adar look small and insignificant. And he loved her like she had never been loved before—even if they haven't actually spoken the words yet.
After they landed on the docking bay, Bill and Laura were immediately greeted by the entire crew.
"Commander on deck!" Col. Tigh shouted, signaling the crew to come to attention.
"As you were," Bill said to his crew, and they returned to parade rest. "Allow me to present Secretary Laura Roslin, my personal guest."
"Welcome back, Sir. The ship wasn't the same without you, Bill."
"Thank you, Saul. I'll bring our bags to our quarters. You've arranged guest quarters, I trust."
"Yes sir. Right next to yours."
"I'll show you to your quarters, Laura."
"Do I get to see yours? I want to check out your book collection."
"Of course. I've always wanted to woo a woman with books."
"Then let's go."
"I think the Old Man's in love," Saul muttered to himself as the couple walked toward their quarters.
"So many books!"
"Yeah."
"I could spend all day in here. Reading with you."
"I'd like that."
"I guess we should go meet your family."
"Yes. Don't worry, they'll love you."
"Why?"
"Making the Old Man happy is enough reason for them."
"Hello Starbuck. What do you hear?"
"Nothing but the rain."
"Then go get your gun and bring in the cat."
"Boom, boom, boom."
"How's it been, Kara. You staying out of hack?"
"Yeah, but it hasn't been easy."
"I don't know what I'm going to do with you Starbuck," Bill said, shaking his head. He loved his daughter, and he wanted her to be successful, but she couldn't seem to stay out of hack for very long. "This is my date, Secretary Laura Roslin. Laura, this is Lt. Kara Thrace. Now, I'll let you ladies talk. I'll see you soon, Laura."
Bill returned to his quarters, leaving the two women to their own devices. He had hopes that Laura could help calm Starbuck's spirit. She just needed a role model, and he could think of no-one better than Laura.
Laura knew Kara was important to Bill, and she wanted to connect with the young woman.
"It's nice to meet you, Kara. Or do you prefer your call-sign?"
"I answer to both, but I do like Starbuck."
"Then Starbuck it is. Bill says your the best pilot he's ever met."
"I don't know about that; the craziest maybe."
"I guess you probably have some questions for me."
"Are you in love with my CO?"
"Yes."
"You answered fast."
"It was an easy question."
"Then, that's all I need to know. You make the Old Man happy. You love him. But if you hurt him, there will be words."
"I'd never hurt him, I promise."
"Then welcome to the family. I should warn you, we're a crazy bunch. You're also dating my friend Helo, and the Old Man's son. How awkward is that?"
"Lee and Helo know how I feel about Bill. They've been perfect gentlemen around me, and I've gotten to know Lee very well. He's accepted me into the family and made peace with his father, so I'm very happy about that. Helo and I had a lovely conversation, and I'll get to spend a whole day with him and his family in two days. I get to spend the day with Lee and his mother tomorrow."
"Talk about awkward. How's that gonna go? You're technically dating the woman's son, but really interested in her ex-husband. Either way, she's probably not going to like you very much. Carolanne is very protective when it comes to her boys. She didn't like me dating Zak at all."
"I'll just be honest and polite. I count on Lee to help me explain the situation, and if things go bad, I could always play the recovering cancer patient card."
"You had cancer?"
"Yup. During the show too. But I had the Adama boys by my side at all times. That's when I knew I wanted to become part of their family."
"How quickly did you fall for the Old Man?"
"I knew I liked him immediately. I gave him the first impression rose, and from then on, he was the only man I really wanted to spend time with in the mansion."
"I can't wait to watch it on the vid!"
"They'll probably edit it down some, so it doesn't seem so obvious that I'm with Bill from the beginning. I tried to act interested in the other men without leading them on unfairly."
"Well, I'll let you spend some quality time with the Old Man. Col. Tigh's probably going to want to grill you next. Good luck with that!"
"Thanks, Starbuck. I feel very comfortable around you. I think we could be friends."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Please. We're friends; call me Laura."
"See you later, Laura. Have fun with the Old Man."
"Did Starbuck grill you too bad?"
"Not at all, Bill. I think we'll get along fine. She loves her old man."
"So we have some time. What would you like to do?"
"That leather sofa looks inviting. I want to choose a book from your shelf, take my shoes off, and curl up on the couch with you, as you read to me."
"You've certainly taken a liking to my quarters."
"They're a part of you, and I've always felt comfortable with you."
"We should talk about our future before I read to you."
"Are you planning on proposing?"
"Hell yes! Part of me wants to toss you over my shoulders, put you in a raptor, and take you away, marry you, and never let you out of my sight. I guess you bring out the caveman in me."
"I kind of like Caveman Bill."
"In all seriousness, though, I want to marry you. I'll finish out my year on Galactica and retire gracefully after they put my ship out to pasture. Then I'll be free to live wherever you are. I don't expect you to quit your job, and I'll probably want to get a job myself. I think we both need to feel productive, but I would love for us to build that cabin together to live in at least part time."
"Fill it with our books. Have a little garden and a property by a lake. Watch the sun rise and set. Look at the stars."
"Yes, and sit by our fireplace as we read."
"That sounds so wonderful."
"So, you'll say yes?"
"The answer is yes. I would definitely build that cabin."
"That's great! Now, I believe my commander-in-chief ordered me to read to her, so I'd better comply with her wishes."
"Damn straight!"
Bill read to Laura until Jaffey knocked on the hatch to bring them Dinner. Saul and Kara arrived for the "family" dinner, exchanging barbs and hostilities between them.
The four of them sat down at Bill's table and began eating, exchanging awkward conversation.
"So, have you two frakked yet?"
"Saul!"
"Just asking. It seems like a reasonable question to me. I always wondered how it worked on these shows."
"It's okay, Bill. He's right, and I always wondered that too. No we haven't. I'm recovering from cancer, and Bill's been by my side the whole time. We've fallen asleep holding hands at the hospital, with poor Bill trying to sleep in a chair. Finally, I decided to let him join me in the bed."
"Are you planning on frakking?"
"Absolutely. Whether it'll be before or after we're married, I don't know yet, but it's a sure thing."
"Aren't you still dating other dudes? How could you be planning a marriage with Bill already?"
"The other men know Bill and I are a couple, and they are very supportive. Besides, who wants a middle aged cancer patient, right?"
"I'd do ya."
"Saul!"
"It's okay, Bill. He was complimenting me, I think."
"Trying to anyway. I didn't mean to bring out Caveman Bill. Godsdamn!"
"Just treat my woman with respect, alright?"
"Your woman?" Laura asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, mine. Just like I'm yours," Bill said without flinching.
"Just as long as we're clear on that."
The foursome finished their dinner. Kara led Laura away so they could talk some more, while Bill and Saul talked over drinks.
"You love sick old dog!"
"I've never felt this way before, Saul. All at once I'm in awe with her for being so amazing, proud to know her and love her, and fiercely possessive and protective. It hasn't been easy sharing her with a mansion full of men, but the way things worked out were pretty great for us. We both knew we'd work from the moment we met."
"Well, she's much better than your ex. I mean she's a little hoity-toity for me, but she seems perfect for you. And she handled my questions like they didn't even faze her."
"She's a politician, Saul. And there's nothing she can't handle."
"Congratulations, Old Man. We'll have to do a double date with me and Ellen at some point."
"No offense, Saul. But I don't think our women would get along very well."
"Gods no! It'll be funny to watch though."
After Saul and Kara left Bill's quarters, Bill noticed a date card from Chris Harrison.
Dear Bill and Laura,
Should you choose to spend the evening together, you may share Bill's quarters. Or you could conclude your date for the night and retire to your separate quarters.
"What do you think, Laura?"
"Do you really have to ask?"
"That's a no, then," Bill teased.
"Get over here, Commander. I need a foot massage."
"Right away, Madam Secretary."
Bill sat on his sofa with Laura's legs in his lap. He dutifully rubbed her feet, enjoying the sound of Laura humming with pleasure.
"I'm sorry about Saul."
"Oh, Honey! He's harmless. I know he's your best friend, and he just wants to make sure I'm right for you."
"He approves of you, by the way. But it doesn't matter. You couldn't be more right for me."
"I love you."
"In dress grays?"
"Always."
"I love you, too."
"Hmm. Will you kiss me, now?"
"Yes, ma'am."
After awhile, they forgot all about the cameras and held each other on his sofa. When the cameramen got bored with the lack of juicy footage and left the quarters (although they left the cameras rolling), Bill took Laura to his rack.
"When we're married, we'll have the biggest softest bed."
"I kind of like this one."
"Why?"
"I don't know, it just fits you. It's part of your life, so I love it."
"You know, you're the first woman I've taken in here."
"And I'd better be the last."
"Of course, Madame President."
Knowing the cameras were rolling, the couple decided to forgo anything more than kissing and cuddling. When they did finally make love, they'd have complete privacy. Whether or not they were married by that point didn't matter to Laura; they had both lived long lives and had numerous partners. The only thing that mattered was that everything was different with Bill. And she wasn't going to let cameras, crewmen, and producers ruin their moments.
"I decided I like the size of this rack, Laura."
"Why's that?"
"It forces us to cuddle."
"I know you love to cuddle."
"Only with you."
"Damn straight."