Every morning after they drop Cheryl off at school, Sandra turns to her father and watches him drive. The morning after his date, he says nothing to her, staring intently at the road ahead while she looks him over hoping he will address what happened the night before. The second day, he glances at her, still not wanting to get into a conversation with his 16-year-old daughter about how intimate he and Larissa became on that first date. By the third day, Thursday, he meets her stare at a stoplight, frowning at her, trying to convey it really isn't any of her business. When she narrows her eyes even further at him, he finally decides to lightly address the topic.

"I'm going to call Laurie and see if you and Cheryl can spend the night with her and Bill Saturday," he announces.

"Why would we need to do that, daddy?" she asks suspiciously, keeping her gaze on him as he drives ahead after the light turns green.

He quickly glances at her from the corner of his eye, confirming her suspicions.

"Have you purchased any condoms yet?"

"I'll take care of that later today. Please stop worrying about it."

"Or maybe you should be a little more concerned about it. It's not just me and Cheryl that I'm thinking about. Do you wanna be raising a child until you're almost 70? Wouldn't you rather be retired by then and living a carefree life?"

"That's a good point. But I'm a grown man and I know how to be responsible."

"Do I have to remind you of the brilliant, adorable 4-year-old daughter you have? I know you and momma weren't trying to get pregnant. Please be careful, daddy."

After the workday on Thursday, Bill and Laura shop at a local baby store, determined to finally make a decision on a theme for the baby room. It's something they haven't really been able to agree upon. Much of the baby room décor currently on the market is very commercial, featuring cartoon characters and popular children's book characters. Bill really liked an outer space theme he discovered a few weeks ago when they shopped, but Laura put her foot down when he found a mobile of vipers and raptors to hang above the crib. She was interested in a dragonfly theme that featured colors not normally seen in a baby room: greens, purples, yellows, and shades of brown. Bill feared their daughter might have nightmares from the dragonfly mobile, thinking insects were dive bombing her in the crib. They were definitely at an impasse.

Tonight, they visit a new store and are disappointed when they step inside to find the latest cartoon characters featured everywhere. After Laura inquires if they have something less commercial, the salesclerk points to an area in the back of the store, stating that they may still have some things on clearance.

With heavy sighs, they both make the long walk to the far end of the store. Most of the items are picked over and still very commercial. Laura roots through a bin of bumpers, blankets, and sheets while Bill wanders over to some shelving that contains lamps, wall décor, and crib bedding packages.

"Bill, I just don't know what we're going to do," Laura says with disappointment after finding nothing in the bin that she feels is worthy of their first born.

"Ducks."

"What?"

"Baby ducks," he says pointing at the shelf in front of him.

"Oh," she replies with interest when her eyes sweep across the shelf finding an array of goods featuring yellow baby ducks. There's a small lamp with a shade that has little ducks in a band across the bottom, a duck blanket, duck bumper, duck sheets, wall décor, burp cloths, and a variety of other duck items.

"Look," he says picking up a onesie that has a duck across the front. "Is she really going to be this little?" He drapes the tiny garment in the crook of his arm like he's practicing holding their daughter.

"Bill," Laura gasps while tears sting her eyes. "I think we've found our theme. And now my hormones are making me cry!"

The items are 80% off and after purchasing the entire assortment of duck themed décor and clothing, they come in way under budget.

"This is just so cute and perfect for our baby room," Laura states. Tears are still rolling down her cheeks as she gazes at each item before handing it to Bill to place in the back seat of the car. She's been crying like this a lot lately, her hormones frequently making her weep with joy. Bill keeps several boxes of tissues handy, including one in the car which he reaches for and offers to her.

On the way home, she texts Sandra that they finally found their theme and can't wait for her to see it on Saturday.

"Can I see it tonight?" Sandra texts back.

After getting her father's permission to take the car to visit her sister and see the baby room decor, with the promise of texting him as soon as she gets there and then right before she leaves, Sandra leaves the Roslin home and drives the short distance to the loft. As soon as she steps inside, she takes Laura by the hand and leads her to the sectional, tugging her down next to her.

"I wanna see the baby room, but we need to talk first."

"Is something wrong?" Laura asks, concerned by her sister's demeanor.

"No, I don't think so. Did daddy tell you why he wants us to stay here Saturday?"

"No, I assumed he must have something work related."

"That sneaky man," Sandra says, pursing her lips together. "I have something to tell you, and it's probably a good thing you're sitting down."

"What is it? What's going on?"

"Daddy's having sex with someone."

"What?! Who? I didn't even know he was seeing anyone!"

"Yeah, well, they had their first date last Monday and they fooled around already! Saturday is their second date and he's spending the night at her place."

"Are you sure?"

"Yup. He even bought condoms today."

"Who is it? Do I know her?"

"Good thing you're still sitting down. It's Larissa Lydiatt."

"From Channel 6?! Oh, my Gods!"

"Right? She just broke up with Cassidy last month, and now she's with daddy!"

Bill had already laid out the décor in the baby room and rearranged it twice when he decided the crib might be better along the wall opposite the door. His nesting instinct has kicked into overdrive now that they have the theme of the room settled. As he's arranging things again, he hears Laura calling his name from the living room. He quickly stops what he's doing and jogs down the hallway, thinking something must be wrong based on the tone of her voice.

"What is it?" he asks when he sees her sitting with Sandra on the sofa. "Are you alright?"

"I'm in shock, Bill. Did you know daddy's sleeping with Larissa Lydiatt?"

"The news anchor?" he asks. A grin spreads across his face as he silently applauds his father-in-law for bedding this woman. "Good for him."

"You think so?" Laura asks, surprised at his reaction.

"Sure. She's smart, attractive - I can see them together. When did they start dating?"

"They've gone out once and they've already messed around," Sandra replies, describing her father's condition when he came home Monday night. "He's spending the night with her Saturday and that's why he wants Cheryl and me to stay here."

"Are you okay with this?" Laura asks, placing her hand on Sandra's.

"Yeah, I am. Cheryl doesn't know yet, though, so I'm not sure how she'll react. I just wanted to tell you tonight, so you know what's going on."

They spend a few minutes talking about Sandra's new classes and the party she's going to Friday night, hopeful that she will make some new friends. Afterwards, they look over the latest layout of the baby room, with Bill suggesting several other possible arrangements of the furniture and decorations.

"These ducks are adorable," Sandra says as she eyes all the merchandise. "Maybe I can draw some to hang by the crib."

After her drawing class on Friday, Sandra heads to a private study room in the library, determined to finish her homework before walking to Willow's dorm at 4 pm where she will wait for the party to start. She and Dave tentatively plan for him to pick her up at 10 pm, unless he hears from her prior to that either asking to leave early or stay later.

She finishes her chemistry homework first, easily synthesizing the ten molecules in the assignment, something she had done a few times in advanced placement classes in high school already. Afterwards, she moves onto her children's lit homework, reading as much of a children's novel as possible, trying to stay ahead of things.

"Psst," she hears from the door cracked open behind her. "Psst."

"What?" she grumbles not looking up from her book. "I've reserved this room until 3:30 so I'm not leaving."

"Sandra, it's me," a voice whispers.

Buttkisser. "What d'ya want, Jeff?"

Apparently, he considers this an invitation because he walks in, shuts the door behind him, and pulls up a chair next to hers.

"Dr. Roslin sent a bottle of water for you," he says placing it on the table.

"Thank you," she replies, annoyed by his interruption. "Why are you here? I thought you were on a dig for the first few weeks this semester."

"I leave this weekend, then I won't be back for two weeks. You gonna miss me?" he asks with a trademark goofy Jeff grin.

"No."

"Why not?"

Her head drops back while she emits a loud sigh. "Look, Jeff, I'm sure you're a nice guy, but you lay it on a little thick with my dad. Try to tone down the butt kissing, okay?"

"Your dad is my idol. Anyone that's studying history looks up to him."

"Noooo, Jeff, history is boring. I mean, his book has people interested again, but that'll die down. Ancient history is dead," she informs him with a fake look of concern on her face.

"Have you ever taken one of your dad's classes?"

"No, and I don't plan to. Besides the fact that it would be weird to have my dad as my professor, it doesn't interest me."

"Sandra, listen to me. Try sitting in on one of your dad's lectures sometime. He's giving a few one-hour talks this semester about Kobol. Go to one. It's an opportunity to see another side of your father, get a better understanding of who he is, and why people look up to him. You don't have anything to lose by going."

"You're really annoying," she replies, pushing the literature book away because of his talkativeness.

"It's one hour of your time. Your dad would appreciate your support."

"I'll think about it," she concedes, hoping he will leave her alone.

"The first one is next week. I won't be here to bother you if you go to that one."

"It's sounding better already. I need to get some more reading done, Jeff. I wanna be able to enjoy myself at the party tonight and not have so much homework hanging over my head."

"Where's the party?"

The idea that Jeff might invite himself puts her in a foul mood. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"No."

"It's just a dorm party with a bunch of freshman and sophomores. There's no alcohol or drugs so I'm sure it wouldn't interest you."

"I don't drink or do drugs. Well, sometimes I might have a glass of wine if it's a special occasion, but I definitely don't do drugs. Do you have a date?"

"I don't date."

"Why not?"

"Does it matter?" Jeff Buckus, aka Jeff Buttkisser, is the single most annoying person Sandra has ever met in her life. It's bad enough that he sucks up to her dad, but his habit of twenty questions grates on her nerves, and he never takes the hint to go away.

"Do you really wanna know? Think carefully before you answer that question," she says, her eyes narrowed and her voice tinged with anger.

"It's just that you're young, smart, and pretty, and I'm surprised you don't date."

"Hmpf. Empty compliments won't get you anywhere, Jeff. I'll try to keep this short. I'm a juvenile delinquent."

"I don't believe that," he chuckles.

The amusement on his face pisses her off. Maybe if she unloads her unsavory history, he will finally go away and never bother her again. "It's true. My last two boyfriends haven't been model citizens. When my mother was dying of cancer, I started drinking with a guy, and we would go out to parties, wild parties. After momma died, I stole a full bottle of pain killers from her room and dumped them into a punch bowl of pills at a rave, then after drinking myself senseless, I took a handful of them and overdosed. I almost died and it scared my father to death. When they released me from the hospital, the police arrested me for distribution of a controlled substance, and I was taken to jail. I pled no contest at my arraignment and was sentenced to house arrest for eight weeks. I didn't think my dad would ever trust me again."

Jeff stares at her dumbfounded, rooted to his chair, not saying a word. Sandra decides to continue with more of the ugly details of her life, certain it will chase him away.

"During my house arrest I treated daddy badly because he took my phone away. When I finally earned it back, I discovered my boyfriend had hooked up with my so-called best friend and they spread rumors about me, bad rumors. He even shared some horrible pictures of me and him together, and if you ever tell my dad that I'll punch you in the face. That's when I decided to finish high school online since I didn't have anything else to do during my arrest, and then I enrolled here. Just as I slowly started earning daddy's trust back, I met a guy that I thought was wonderful. Only he wasn't. He was threatening my little sister and even hurt her arm a couple of times because she caught him doing drugs. He tricked me into making a few drug drops on campus so, no, I'm not as smart as you think I am, because only an idiot would fall for that. I was still on probation when he was arrested and the only way I could keep from being sent to juvie was to help the police bust the dealer on campus. After that, I haven't dated, and I haven't made any friends. I decided to focus on my studies and my family and that's it. And now that you know my sordid history from the last year, I'm sure you'll never want to talk to me again."

Satisfied that she has scared him away, finally ridding herself of his annoying presence, she crosses her arms and stares at him defiantly.

"You're a really strong person, Sandra."

"What?!" she snorts, hardly able to believe her ears.

"It takes a lot of strength to go through all of that and come out on top."

"Oh, yeah, I'm really strong," she says in a facetious tone. "I drank, did drugs, got arrested, treated my dad like shit when he didn't deserve it, then dated a criminal that hurt my sister. You have a funny definition of strength."

"That's not what I see when I look at you. You completed your house arrest, graduated high school early, enrolled in college, helped the police catch a drug dealer, and earned your father's trust back. You were able to put all those bad things behind you and move forward in your life. That takes an incredible amount of strength, and I admire you for it."

"Yeah, well," she stammers, stunned that Jeff didn't run away screaming when she told him all the awful things she did. "You might be the only person that thinks that. I have a new friend, but she doesn't know these things yet. I'm afraid when I tell her she won't want anything to do with me."

"I suppose that could happen," he sighs, sympathetic to her situation. "But people that can't see that you paid your dues and put it all behind you probably aren't worth having in your life anyway."

"You're really confusing me right now," she sputters. "You're being very understanding and nice."

"It's sort of a bad habit of mine," he says, staring at her until a small smile appears at the corners of her mouth.

This conversation did not go as she expected. While she knew Jeff was a lot like her father in terms of academic interests, she had no idea they shared similar perspectives on life. He was supposed to walk out the door and never speak to her again. She turns her irritation toward him onto herself for smiling back at him. Now he'll never leave her alone. "But you're still annoying as frak. And I really need to get some more of this reading done."

"Alright," he replies with a crooked grin, taking the hint this time. "Have fun at your party tonight."

"Have fun digging up old crap for the next two weeks."

"Have fun going to your dad's talk about Kobol."

"Have fun kissing his butt until you leave."

Forming a pucker with his lips, he makes kissing noises before he slips out the door leaving Sandra alone with her homework.

Dammit. Why does he have to have such big brown eyes?