Commander William Adama looked at the stilled video screen. He could feel a migraine headache coming on, and it had a name, Saul Tigh. " It could be a gun. Or he could be shaking her hand. It's hard to tell."

" I'm uncomfortable with this," President Roslin said after a moment. " He did pass the Cylon detection test."

"Which we know doesn't always work," Tigh protested. " He was tested at the same time Valerii was. He has access to the testing process as well. For all we know, some of his colossal frak ups have been intentional."

There was a knock on the conference door. Before Adama could tell him to ignore it, Billy had risen from his seat and opened the door. Kara Thrace stepped in, wearing her dress uniform and holding a large sheaf of papers. Billy smiled broadly at her. Adama wanted to throttle him.

He wasn't happy with what Tigh had done. He didn't want to set an ugly precedent, that public accusations were ok, because the fleet was already shaky with morale. If the public got the idea that it was acceptable to make accusations with their fists, then things were going to rapidly collapse. Worse, there was the unpleasant possibility that a Cylon would react to such an accusation with violence. He didn't think Tigh realized how lucky it was that Gaeta hadn't implemented some sort of suicidal death charge on being found out.

He wasn't happy with Billy Keikeya either. The situation was a military one. One squeamish civilian made the problem much bigger than it needed to be. Of course, the last thing he wanted was for a Cylon to be executed on the deck of the CIC. At the same time, he didn't need the matter going all over the fleet either. Tigh already wasn't popular.

" Captain Thrace, this is a closed meeting," he said calmly but firmly.

She took the first piece of paper of the stack she held and gave it to him. " This form indicates that I have accepted appointment as legal advocate for Lt. Felix Gaeta." She took a seat at the conference table.

"Since when do Cylons get legal advocates?" Tigh said angrily.

" Alleged Cylon, please." Kara smiled slightly. " I have a number of other motions, but I think we should start by having the charges against Lt. Gaeta detailed. In writing." She handed Adama another piece of paper. " We do have official charges pending, correct? Lt. Gaeta hasn't been confined to the brig without charges? I hope not, because that is a violation of his rights as a colonial citizen."

" He's a frakking Cylon, he doesn't have rights," Tigh said quickly.

" That's alleged frakking Cylon, sir," Kara said sweetly. She winked at Tigh. " I also have a request for an evidentiary hearing, and a request that charges be filed against Colonel Tigh for conduct unbecoming an officer and assault. That's just to start."

Adama felt his migraine headache throb. Roslin smiled thinly, but it was obvious to him that the president was extremely unhappy with the situation. Tigh was frothing at the mouth, but that wasn't a surprise. " Captain Thrace, this is not the right time for this sort of game."

She looked at him. " This is no game, sir. I have multiple witness statements that Lt. Gaeta in no way resisted arrest, and was struck repeatedly in the head by Colonel Tigh." She held out another paper. " This is a request for medical attention to be given to Lt. Gaeta as he was seriously injured several hours ago and has not been allowed to seek treatment. And this," and she handed Tigh a piece of paper, " is a temporary restraining order restricting Col. Tigh from unsupervised access to Lt Gaeta while Lt. Gaeta is illegally restrained without charges filed."

Roslin choked back a laugh. Tigh choked back a nasty epitaph. Adama glared at them both before he spoke. " Mr. Keikeya, Colonel Tigh, I'd like you both to step out for a moment while I speak privately with Lt. Gaeta's legal advocate." For what he wanted to say, he didn't want a lot of witnesses.

Kara waited for them to leave. " I have a number of other requests, but I think the most important thing right now is that I receive copies of any and all evidence of wrongdoing. Particularly the tape with the alleged gun hand off. I have a civilian expert lined up to examine it." She smiled at him.

" I am not placing Colonel Tigh under arrest for assaulting a Cylon." He said it firmly.

" Alleged Cylon… sir. And I would respectfully point out that Lt. Gaeta has not even been charged."

Adama took a deep breath before he spoke.. " Kara, this is not the time or the place to play some head game with Colonel Tigh. This is a serious situation and I will not have you turn it into a circus sideshow."

" You mean it's not a circus sideshow already?" Kara shot back. " Speaking freely sir, are we really going to kill a man because the colonel is a drunk?"

"That's out of line, Starbuck," he warned.

"Actually…" President Roslin said softly, " We both agree that there are some… concerns about the evidence, Commander. I have a concern that the interests of security are overriding the interests of justice. It certainly does not hurt the fleet to take time to examine the evidence against Lt. Gaeta." More gently she added, " This isn't Ragnor Anchorage."

Adama nodded, although he wished Roslin had considered her words more carefully in from of Starbuck.. If Kara Thrace was going to act as Lt. Gaeta's legal advocate, the last thing she needed to hear was that the evidence was in doubt. " For now then, you may act as legal advocate, Captain Thrace. I will not entertain frivolous motions, however."

Kara nodded. " I don't think I have made any frivolous motions, sir. Until charges are filed in writing, you've got an officer of the fleet locked up for no reason. I am being perfectly reasonable in asking that charges be filed. Unless you're going to let him out of the brig?"

" He stays in the brig. He may be a Cylon. Security will override justice in this instance." Roslin said easily. " However, I believe the captain is right to insist that charges be filed. And of course, a copy of the security tape will be provided to the defense."

" Is medical care an unreasonable request? Because I spoke to Lt. Gaeta and he was concussed, incoherent, and clearly ill. We can take care of several other requests with a visit by Dr. Cottle as well. Obviously, we aren't conceding that Lt. Gaeta is a Cylon and I will have Dr. Baltar run another blood test to go with the test results we already have showing that Lt. Gaeta is human. Dr. Cottle can get the sample for the test. I also want the lieutenant's injuries documented." Kara looked at him. " And just so we're all on the same page, I am quite serious about not allowing Colonel Tigh to be given unsupervised access to Lt. Gaeta."

" We are not charging Colonel Tigh with assault." Adama warned.

" I am willing to table that until after Lt. Gaeta is cleared." Kara shot back. " I also expect Lt. Gaeta's uniform to be returned to him. I also will want access to the gun locker records, and to all of the security camera records for the CIC." She handed him more paperwork. " I will also be calling Sharon Valerii as a witness for the defense."

" What?" Adama felt his headache grow even worse.

Kara gestured to the stilled video screen. " Lt. Gaeta insists that all he did was shake Sharon Valerii's hand, to congratulate her. I think that her testimony on that is highly relevant. Who would know better where the gun came from?"

Roslin took the sheaf of papers. " For the most part these are reasonable requests, Captain. The commander and I will discuss the feasibility of allowing the testimony of a Cylon. I'm sure that the commander has no problem with Dr. Cottle checking on the lieutenant's condition. I expect to receive updates on this matter from you. You're dismissed, Captain."

Kara looked at Adama for confirmation. He nodded, and she quickly stood up and left. Adama turned his attention back to Roslin, who still had a slight smile on her face even as she perused the many pieces of paper Kara had left. " It is customary, Madame President," he said carefully, " for my officers to be dismissed by me. Not you."

She gave him a withering look. " You have a problem, Bill. A serious one." She gestured to the video screen. " I don't see a gun in that man's hand. I have a very bad feeling that when this is enhanced, it will be obvious. And then you'll have a bigger problem. Is there any reason other than this video to suspect Lt. Gaeta?"

" Nothing credible. He's made mistakes, but he's also an important reason that we're still alive." A case could be made either way. " He's made some intuitive leaps about the Cylons that are concerning, considering the accusation. On the other hand…."

"Without the accusation, there's no reason to suspect him at all." Roslin looked at him intently. " This needs to be handled very carefully, Commander. You know I wouldn't hesitate to have a Cylon executed. However," she tapped the video screen with one long, elegant finger, " I don't think you have that particular problem in your brig right now."

" Colonel Tigh would not make this up." He believed that. Saul Tigh was many things, but he wasn't a man that made malicious accusations. The man had been genuinely broken up and horrified that Gaeta was a spy.

Roslin leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. " He's a drunk, Bill. I am sure that he was drunk when he accused Lt. Gaeta, and I think you're sure of that too. Which means he came within seconds of killing a man while drunk."

" What are you getting at?" He didn't like the implications either.

" This is a society of laws. The next time there's a suspicion that someone is a Cylon, I expect it to be handled professionally. I have my own witness to what went on. Putting a gun to an unconscious man's head is not my definition of professional." Roslin stood up. " I expect full reports on the investigation."

" Of course." He rose as well.

Roslin hesitated at the door. " You need to keep your people in control of themselves, Commander. The fleet looks to the Galactica for how to behave. You can justify what's going on here as a military matter, and I won't interfere, but on a civilian ship, assault charges would be filed. And if the person who was accused was found to be innocent, I would happily add attempted murder to the charges. Your people are yours, under military law but they are still citizens of the twelve colonies."

" And what does that mean?" he asked.

" That means I know that this isn't the first time your XO has used his position and his fists to batter one of your people while drunk and in a rage, but it will be the last time." She looked at him, her expression grim. " I know he's a friend and I applaud your loyalty, but I will not continue to condone his reckless behavior. I have a duty to all of the citizens, including those in the military, to make sure that our laws are implemented fairly. So let's have it understood, right here and now. This is the last free pass Colonel Saul Tigh receives. Is that clear?"

" Quite."

" Good." She opened the door. " I will not allow this fleet to collapse into lawlessness. There will be an evidentiary hearing, it will be public, and if the evidence indicates a need, there will be a public court martial. However, if the evidentiary hearing shows that this was a baseless accusation, I expect that Lt. Gaeta will be reinstated to his position on the command staff, and a public apology will be made. By you, and by Colonel Tigh."

" You're pushing," he warned.

" Yes. I am. I hope it opens your eyes." With that, she walked away.

He watched her for a moment and then rubbed his throbbing head. Saul, he thought tiredly, what mess have you gotten us all into now?