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Chapter 20: Daybreak

One week after Exodus

Bill entered their quarters, muscles stiff and aching from the long shift in CIC—Saul was in no shape to be anything but a mourner, and would be for a long while—to find his wife sitting at their desk, eyes downcast with an official looking document in her hands. She paid no mind to him, even after the hatch had shut with a loud slam as he locked it.

He walked towards her, eyes locked on the paper he had half expected the day of the Exodus. Laura sighed and turned it right side up for him to read, not daring to speak until he'd read it all. A lump formed in his throat as the words needs of the Fleet crossed his vision. He fought down a tide of anger as he read on. He wanted to fly over to Colonial One himself and tell them where to shove their official documents and their needs.

"Are you considering it?" he asked.

"Of course. I'm considering every possible option."

Something tightened in his chest. Every option. Any option she could be contemplating would kill her inside.

"And..?" he ventured again. She looked up at him, eyes red and tears threatening to continue misting over her green eyes. Her thoughts were the same as his own, no doubt.

"I stay away, Tom takes over. For anything we went through together, I can't forget what he once was. I go back....I got back and I lose my husband only to turn around and work with his as my Admiral."

He'd though if he kept the words in his head that eventually the idea of being forced to divorce her wouldn't hurt so much when it was spoken. But he still gave a muffled sob, sinking into the chair opposite her and grasping both her hands in his. Their eyes locked.

She was so beautiful, his wife. The thought that he'd loose her only to see her everyday was unacceptable. But it was selfish, too.

"Coming down to it though...," Laura said, rising from her seat and placing one hand on his chest," I don't think they have the right, do they?"

He smiled weakly at her," no."

It wasn't a yes or a no, but it was something. The people really didn't have the right to force their hand, especially after abandoning her caution for a fool's dream. He picked up the letter and read, wrapping his free hand over Laura's warm little one. They really did want her back, just as Saul had warned him the day he'd decided to propose. The letter was barely professional, forcing a laugh up from his chest. He chuckled and put it down. Laura was looking at him like he'd lost it.

"How is this situation funny, Bill. You need to share with the rest of the class."

"That letter sounds like a five year old wrote it in school because they missed their mommy."

A small smile appeared on her face. He knew that smile, knew something he'd said had just given her an idea.

" Well if they're our children, I think we need to lay down some ground rules..."

The press room aboard Colonial One was covered in a silence so thick Laura was surprised anyone could still breath. The press sat on one side of the aisle, some of them with mouths open in shock. A few, she noticed with some amusement, looked every bit the children Bill had said they were.

On the other side, the Quorum was in a similar state of shock colored with the indignation only they could pull off. Delegate Cantrell alone was smiling at her. She winked at him.

"You can't be serious, Ma'am," Playa finally said. Laura turned on her, making Bill wince beside her. Playa just blinked irately.

"I have never joked about my former position, Playa. This is the only solution that can be mutually beneficial."

"Mada--" Delegate Porter said, but Laura's hand forestalled any attempt she was going to make to guilt her into backing down. That it was Sarah hurt. She had lost her husband in the initial attacks. That she of all people would try to pull Laura from hers...

"Would you have ever ended your marriage to Henry that way, Sarah?" she asked softly, painfully aware of the way Delegate Porter's body reacted. Her whole frame tensed, and her eyes flashed with hurt. But Laura couldn't bring herself to regret saying it. She needed to know how Laura was feeling, they all did.

"That's an obviously question, I know," Laura continued, leaving Sarah Porter staring at the floor with watery eyes," it should be obvious for anyone here married before the attacks or who has lost someone since," gently she reached back to her left and pulled at Bill's hand, forcing him to stand closer to her. He did so, putting a hand on her other shoulder. Their rings glinted in the artificial lights.

"I cannot be President again. My husband cannot simply hand command over to one of his officers. Colonel Tigh, as many of you know, is still recovering from his torture along with several others the Cylons targeted during their occupation of New Caprica. He has also repeatedly stated he would not take command. There is no other officer with enough experience besides Admiral Adama, plain and simple."

She took a breath, feeling the anxiety draining from her body. Speaking so frankly felt...good. And Bill's hand, warm and steady in hers reminded her on why she was not retaking the position she once held so dear. He was dearer.

"And I'm sorry to remind you all of this, but the right to demand anything of me went out the window the day I failed to prove why New Caprica was a mistake. I married as a citizen of the Twelve Colonies, not as President Roslin. The options I have given are the only ones on the table. Either try and not accuse every decision I make as being forced by the military or allow for a free election. I am Laura Adama now. That will be all," she turned away, Bill on one side and an agitated Tory Foster on the other, disappearing through the gray curtain and into the back room. Laura immediately turned around, throwing her arms around her husband's neck and sighing into the collar of his uniform. She couldn't form words for how strong she felt right them. Her own last words rang in her head, and she buried her face in the aged blue wool, enjoying the feeling of being held as his arms wrapped around her waist.

"I can't believe you just...told them all off. That was..."

Laura pulled away, smiling at Tory, who looked like a very satisfied cat," We've both wanted to do that for ages, I know. It felt good. It felt really good." She smiled as the girl broke into uncharacteristic giggles. In a moment the urge to laugh spread to her. When she finally regained control of herself, she found Bill smirking at the pair of them.

"Done, ladies?"

"Yes, sir," they chorused.

"What do we have now, Tory?" he asked her former aid. Tory straightened her back. Her clipboard appeared from Lords knew where as she began to speak.

"I've asked Fleet Wireless to announce for anyone of experience in law, politics, or high business office to come to Galactica, as she has the most room for a large body," here she looked up at Bill and he nodded his consent," good. Election ballots can be finished by the end of the week. Elections can take place next Tuesday."

Laura blinked, a bit stunned, but she smiled anyhow. She should have learned long ago that her aids had the uncanny ability to be one step ahead of her before the decision even entered her mind. Tory must have been ready for her speech before Bill had even inspired her to it.

"Thank you Tory. We'll await the announcements of candidates back home."

"Alright," Tory said as Laura tucked her arm into Bill's and turned to walk down the very stairs she remembered hurling herself down to come to Lee's aid," and ma'am?"

She and Bill turned back. Tory smiled shyly," thank you."

Laura felt a warm joy run along her chest at the simple thanks. No one save Bill, Lee, and Kara ever thanked her for anything.

"Glad for it Tory."

One week later

Laura stretched, snuggling back into the couch with a warm cup of tea between her fingers. Bill sat beside her, fiddling with the wireless on their coffee table. It finally crackled to life on the public Fleet Wireless and he sat back to listen in.

"....three candidates for final consideration. Captain Lee of the Okato, a former CEO of Tauron's Flight Xenith aerospace productions. Very well versed in mechanics. Tom Zarek, of course, current Vice President, is up for bat..."

Laura shifted at the sound of Tom's name. She meant what she'd said earlier. Nothing could ever dislodge Tom's past from her mind, even if he was trustworthy. She took a sip of tea and leaned back, smiling when she felt Bill move his arm to give her neck a pillow.

Serene. That was how she felt. Perfectly serene. After so much turmoil (and enough gray hairs to last her into the next life) it felt nice, if fragile. She was going to listen to the world right itself for once and enjoy it.

"...and then we have..well this is interesting. Bit of a hero, extensive military knowledge. Seems Lee Adama has decided to throw his tags in on this one."

Laura almost dropped the teacup.

Fin

(for now)

NOTE: I hope you enjoyed the ride. I may or may not continue at all or for a while. I just changed the entire show, after all! Would take a lot of plotting. ^_^ thanks for reading!