Chapter 79 Repercussions
"We're investigating the Prometheus and all small craft traffic around the time of the incident," Adama said, then took a swallow of his drink, wishing it were something stronger than water, but it was still early in the day and he had to get back to CIC after briefing the President on their progress on yesterday's bombing.
"So, we're calling it an 'incident' instead of an assassination attempt, are we Bill," Laura stated, giving him a slight smile as his gaze sharpened at her words. She knew he had avoided calling it an assassination because it made the attempt on her life more 'real'. An incident sounded less sinister—less threatening. And she knew why he'd done it, too. Neither had acknowledged how their relationship had changed since the groundbreaking ceremony on New Caprica, but each was acutely aware that it had.
"Whatever," he replied, choosing to ignore her allusion to his self-denial that she had nearly died—would probably have died if the bomb had gone off onboard Colonial One as planned. Instead, he continued with his preliminary briefing. "The engineering team has finished examining what we could recover of the Raptor, and I've a team interviewing suspects now. I expect a report within the next few hours from both groups."
"I'm sure you'll let me know what they find. In the meantime, I'm heading down to sickbay to check on Captain Thrace and Lieutenant Agathon," Laura said, rising from her chair. "I've been assured that both will recover fully from their injuries, but I wanted to thank them for their quick reactions. They saved more than just my life yesterday." Passing her tumbler to the Admiral, their fingers brushed, and if his lingered an extra moment, she didn't mind at all.
As they turned to walk side by side towards the hatch, "Besides," Laura added, "Kara and I didn't get a chance to talk."
"Can't it wait a few days?" he quietly protested. "The Doc had her in surgery for a couple of hours last night and when I visited her this morning she was still pretty out of it from whatever Cottle's giving her for the pain."
"I don't want to give her too much time to build back her defenses. It was too hard breaking through them the first go around." Laura stated, pausing as she recalled their session in the gym. She felt the tension in the man at her side increase. Putting a hand on his forearm, she turned him to face her. "Kara's a strong young woman, Bill. But she doesn't believe it herself, and that's one of the things that's undermining her recovery. That and she's terrified that if—when—you learn what happened on New Caprica, your feelings for her will change."
He grimaced and shook his head. "She should know better. After all we've been through together…"
"Really, Bill? Think about it. When she first came back onboard Galactica after New Caprica, how often did you visit with her? And I mean take time to speak with her, not just a passing greeting in the halls?" she asked, already knowing the answer even before he turned his head away.
"I should have been there…and I wasn't," he admitted, silently adding, Just like with my sons.
"You know I'm not judging you. But Kara has… And her trust in your feelings for her has been badly damaged." Then, giving a hand wave to indicate his cabin, "Having her here. Sharing your quarters with her has probably gone a long ways to restoring that trust—her belief that you still care about her—but she still fears that you'll judge her and then dismiss her from your heart again. And it hurts twice as much to lose something a second time."
He nodded, mentally vowing to not let Kara down again. He'd done that to too many of those in his personal life, and it was time to find a better way of balancing his professional demands and his personal responsibilities, including his relationship with both of his 'children'.
"When are you going to tell me what did happen to her?" he asked.
"Hmmm, that depends on Kara. I have to head back to Colonial One right after I visit sickbay. So…unless you can come over there later tonight…?"
"I'll make the time," he said.
"Then, how about dinner and we can talk more after?"
"I'll be there," he promised, and not just to her.
[ I I I I I ]
"You again," Dr. Cottle greeted Laura in his usual gruff manner. "Tell me you're here to see someone other than me?"
"I'm hoping to visit with Captain Thrace and Lieutenant Agathon if they're up for company?" she responded.
"Well, you're in luck then. I decided to put those two in adjoining beds, got tired of them badgering me about how the other was doing. Saves us from their constant nagging for updates," he started to turn to show her the way when Laura spoke up.
"Doctor, I'd like to know the extent of their injuries and prognosis before seeing them, please," she requested, causing him to raise an inquiring eyebrow.
"Now why would that be necessary, Madam President?"
"I need to speak with Kara. And I need to know how far I can safely push her, from a medical standpoint that is," she answered, knowing that Cottle could be very protective of his patients.
The physician studied her for a moment before answering, "I removed a hunk of metal from Lieutenant Agathon's shoulder. She's sore, but should be fully recovered in a couple of weeks with some physical therapy," he paused long enough to dig out one of his never-ending supply of cigarettes before continuing, "Now, Captain Thrace's injury was more serious. The shard penetrated her chest wall, collapsing a lung. But she'll be up for limited duty in a week, and full duty about two weeks later."
"Do I specifically need to avoid upsetting her, Doctor?" Laura asked.
"Do you plan on upsetting her, Madam President?" he retorted, not bothering to hide the censure in his voice.
"Not necessarily, but it's possible."
Cottle studied his yellowed fingers a moment before answering, "I'd prefer if you kept her calm. If she gets upset enough, her lung could collapse again, unlikely but possible. First sign that she's having any trouble breathing, you call me," he wagged a finger at Laura in warning.
"I understand, Doctor," she said, bending her head slightly in acquiesce to his instructions.
"Ok, then. This way. And don't let either of them try to weasel you into promising to get them released early," he admonished. "I'll kick them out when they're ready, and not before."
"I understand, Doctor," she repeated, earning a slight lifting of his dour lips at her obliging reply.
She followed Cottle through to a back section of the Life Stations. Pausing at his signal to wait beside the Marine guard as he stepped inside the curtained enclosure. Laura gave the young soldier a reassuring smile, but was focused on the raised female voice she heard protesting whatever the doctor had just said. She twitched reflexively as the curtain was abruptly flung aside by the physician to reveal his two bed-bound patients. Flicking her gaze over the scene, Laura surveyed the young women as she moved to stand in the three foot area between their beds. They were propped up by mounds of pillows, and both appeared a little woozy, probably from the pain medication.
"They're all yours," Cottle said, stepping away. "Remember I have other patients. No loud parties," he added as he closed the curtain behind him.
"Captain Thrace, Lieutenant Agathon," she gave each a brief, acknowledging nod, then turned her head sharply as she heard a scrap behind her as the cloth barrier parted and a nurse slid in a chair before exiting again.
Returning her attention to the two women, "Ladies. I wanted to give both of you my official 'Thank You' for your actions yesterday," she said giving them a slight headbob from her position standing beside the recently added chair.
"Uh, anyone would've done the same thing," Starbuck replied after flicking a questioning glance towards the opposite bed.
"I disagree, Captain," Laura's sincere dark eyes locked with green ones. "It was only through your two's skill, reflexes and professionalism that the bomb exploded in space, and not on my ship."
"You're welcome, Madam President," Athena spoke up for the first time, adding with a grin at the blonde across from her, "Starbuck, just tell her she's welcome. It's not polite to argue with the President of the Twelve Colonies."
Sending a friendly glare in the brunette's direction, Starbuck parroted, "You're welcome, Madam President."
Giving a mental, amused shake of her head as she settled into the seat, Laura was reassured by the interplay between the two. Yet, the obvious resurgence of the Starbuck persona had her wondering how much of a fight she faced this morning getting through to Kara.
"Of course, that's only the official reason for my visit," Laura said, watching as wariness pushed aside the playfulness in Kara's expressive face. "You missed our meeting. And while I agree you had a good excuse, we still have things to discuss…and decide."
Watching the blonde head duck, the older woman let an audible sigh escape. Hearing the slight rustle of cloth, Laura looked over to see Sharon readjusting herself on the piled pillows. She gave the darker woman a quirk of the head towards the opposite bed and received a nod of agreement. It was good to know that she could rely on her continuing support in dealing with Kara. Returning her regard to the blonde, she saw Kara worrying her lower lip.
"Kara, what happened with Sam…and Leoben was traumatic. I—" Laura started.
"Traumatic?" Starbuck interrupted, voice now a bitter mutter. "Try a frakkin' nightmare. I just want to wake up now." Her hands wrung the blanket they clenched.
"Yes, it was a nightmare. One you survived." Laura leaned forward, putting a hand atop one of the twisting pair and stilled it. She was relieved that Kara neither flinched nor struck out at the contact. "Nightmares are easier to face in the light and with others beside us." The blonde head shook in denial. Laura gripped the hand beneath hers. "Kara, sharing a burden makes the load lighter."
"That's a load of crap." Kara yanked free from Laura's grip. "It's my mess and I don't any need help with it," she belligerently said.
"You know, Starbuck. You're full of crap," Sharon's sharp voice cut across the narrow distance, "You're a mess and believe me, and with a hole as deep as you're in, you need all the help you can get." Shocked green eyes snapped to Sharon's dark ones before flicking away.
"You're right," both women heard Kara's mumbled reply, almost an apology.
"Damn straight I am," Sharon gave a smirk before adding, "I believe Laura was about to discuss what she should tell the Admiral?" raising her eyebrows at the older woman to take over again.
Laura took Sharon's lead, "It's a simple choice, Kara. Either you can tell the Admiral what happened…or I can do it for you. He doesn't need details. Bare facts about what happened with Leoben…and your reactions," she neutrally stated.
Observing Kara's taut features further whiten beneath their hospital pallor, Laura didn't miss the convulsive swallowing and wondered if she should get a bowl or something, just in case. As she listened to Kara's rasping breaths, Laura decided to wait out the panic attack, hoping it would quickly pass before she was forced to call for Dr. Cottle.
"Starbuck, you pass out and I'm telling the whole squad you fainted," Athena taunted. "That Starbuck had the vapors."
That yanked a jade-eyed glare Sharon's way, but is also seemed to pull Kara from the edge of the flashback. Laura felt her own held breath release as Kara's eased into a more natural rhythm. Considering Sharon's use of taunts, Laura wondered if she should try the same approach? No. Starbuck and Sharon—originally as Boomer and eventually Athena—had an established a way of relating that didn't exist between Laura and Kara. If she tried the same thing, Kara was likely to assume she was being serious, with disastrous results. She was just thankful to now have a partner with which to tag-team their reluctant opponent.
"Kara, you know the Admiral loves you. There's nothing you can tell him that will change that," Laura said, pulling the blonde's gaze back to her. "I won't lie. It will be hard for both of you. But give him your trust and he won't fail you."
"I failed him," Kara ground out.
"No. You didn't," contradicted Laura . "You survived. That's all he cares about. That you survived and returned to us." She stood and moved closer, reaching out to stroke a stray lock of hair from the vulnerable face. She'd seen both Adamas do the same gesture and was mildly surprised that she and Kara had reached a point in their relationship where it felt natural.
"I'll tell the Admiral what happened," Laura gently said. "You concentrate on healing, because I intend to recommend that you be returned to flight status as soon as Dr. Cottle clears you for it."
The green eyes widened and a light came into them Laura hadn't seen in awhile. Kara didn't speak, just gave Laura a nod of gratitude.
Laura added a caveat, "On one condition, you come over to Colonial One three times a week for us to talk."
"I don't need—" Starbuck started, breaking off as she received a glare from both women.
"It's not up for negotiation, Captain," Laura firmly said. "You want to fly again, we continue to talk."
This time Kara's nod was reluctantly.
Laura turned to leave, adding over her shoulder, "I'll have my people call yours. For now, you two get some rest. You both deserve it."
Then the President swept out of Life Stations, leaving the pair of patients slightly bemused by her visit.