Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with BSG or Syfy.

Sequel to my previous A/U story: Sine Qua Non

Saturday

"What do you hear Starbuck?" Bill called walking over to the hospital bed in the emergency room.

At the sound of the familiar voice Kara lifted her head, her blonde hair revealing a bruised, swollen eye and cut lip.

"What do you hear Starbuck?" Bill repeated taking note of the temporary cast on her arm.

"Nothing but the rain," Kara muttered rushing into the General's open arms and clinging to him.

"It's okay Kara," Bill assured gently brushing her hair and placing a kiss on her head. "You're okay. I'm going to take you home."

It was a phone call he never wanted to receive but one that didn't surprise him. The news that Socrata Thrace had been arrested and her daughter, Kara, was in the hospital.

Bill and Laura Adama were very close to Kara Thrace. They spent years with her in Grozny and she was the flower girl in their wedding. When they moved to St. Petersburg they pressured her mother to accept the transfer. Kara was a fixture in their life. Her picture graced their offices and homes. She attended family functions and trips. They went to her school events and she had sleepovers at their apartment.

They often questioned their decision to leave Kara in her mother's care. There was never a doubt that Socrata was an undesirable mother but was she unfit? They could not decide. Instead they chose to provide Kara with a safe place for refuge and fun. For her part Kara never complained about her mother - even when pressed - and she never mentioned abuse.

Since the return to Saint Petersburg, the Adamas noticed Socrata drank more and spent time with people they did not approve of. Soon after the move she had resigned from her position in the military and was incredibly vague about how she was supporting herself. Once or twice she mentioned a boyfriend but resisted all of Laura's attempts to meet him.

When Brenda Leigh Johnson told Bill of the charges brought against the woman and the conditions in which she found Kara, the General regretted the leniency he allowed Socrata. He hated the fact that he had missed signs that Thrace had become more than a danger to herself but a danger to her daughter.

Brenda and her team had been called to the scene to investigate the drug deal that left two young kids dead, the getaway driver in custody and the prime suspect of the shooting missing. She had immediately recognized the accomplice and pressured Socrata to identify the whereabouts of her daughter. When she refused, Brenda went directly to the Thrace apartment.

The unit was a wreck. It was evident that there had been a brutal fight. Furniture was thrown across the room and broken glass littered the ground. The detectives found a stash of drugs before they found Kara huddled in a locked closet.

Kara knew Brenda and was easily persuaded to join her on a trip to the hospital. Once settled with a nurse, the Deputy Chief left the girl in the care of her lieutenant so she could follow up on the crime scene and call Bill.

The General rushed to the hospital upon receiving the call. Once there he was briefed by Brenda about the evening activities and met with a caseworker from Child Protective Service (CPS) who agreed to release Kara into the Adamas custody.

Laura heard the front door slam shut but did not move. She hadn't moved in hours. Barely at all in days.

Five.

The first ended barely before it began.
The second lasted long enough that they heard a heartbeat.
The third long enough so that they knew it was a boy and started a nursery.
The fourth was a heartbreaking last attempt.
The fifth - a surprise.

They had been cautious but Laura couldn't fight the urge to be hopeful. She felt that there must be a reason it happened again. Bill worried and when he heard her collapse in the kitchen he knew it was over.

Laura was released from the hospital a week earlier and she was still numb. She felt empty. She felt like a failure. She felt hate.

Hate for Helena for transferring her. Hate for Cain for coming back. Hate for Meier for setting the bomb and taking away her ability to have children. There were even moments she hated Bill because he had sons.

"Laura," Bill said entering the dark room. "Laura," he repeated sitting on the bed and resting his hand on her shoulder.

Laura remained silent at his touch. She couldn't speak. If she attempted to she would cry and she wouldn't be able to stop.

"Have you eaten?" Bill asked, although he knew the answer. "I brought you a sandwich. Try to eat a little. I'm going to take care of some things but I'll be back soon."

Bill ran his hands through his wife's hair and placed a kiss on her forehead before carefully getting up and quietly leaving the room.

"Like your dinner?" Bill asked sitting down at the dining room table.

"Yes," Kara replied taking a bite of her sandwich.

Bill's heart broke watching the girl eat awkwardly with her usable hand. He hated the thought that the women of his life were in so much pain. Since there was nothing he could do for Laura, he was glad he at least had options with Kara.

Heading to the kitchen Bill inspected the cupboards to find that everything was empty. After returning home from the hospital, Laura threw out all the food in the house before going into seclusion. Bill meant to go to the store for groceries but never found time. Nevertheless, he thought he might find the Oreos they hid from the boys awhile ago.

"I think we have cookies," Bill said checking the cabinet above the fridge. "Then we'll get your medicine and you can watch some television while I set up the boy's room."

"Okay," Kara said clearing her plate. "Where's Laura?"

"She's sleep. You'll see her tomorrow."