29 – Parties on the Shore

Laura stared at the building in front of her, the once familiar neon lights flashing on and off in the twilight. “I can’t believe…”

”We figured where else to let you have your last wild night, then somewhere that you might be sort of…well, accustomed to letting your hair down, so to speak.” Tamara touched Laura’s arm. “All right?”

“Yes.” Blinking, she smiled. Caprica Heights, where she’d spent hours being someone who didn’t have to be responsible for learning or taking care of anything and everything that life threw at her. Where she’d been able to be just a girl behind, well, or on a bar, that was having fun with life and everything that she could. While the bar itself had a wild reputation, anyone who threatened or came on too strong to any of them had been quickly dealt with, so while wild and loud, and alcohol flowing freely, there had been very few problems, making it a fun and safe place, close enough to the university so any students that had overdone it could be escorted or put in a cab to go back to the dorms or apartments, and any rougher elements that might have caused problems had been discouraged from entering by the sheer number of people trying to get in each night. “Gods, I loved this place.”

”Still can’t believe you worked here.” Kara shook her head. “I mean, some stuff makes more sense, but still…”

“I was young.” Laura laughed. “I wonder if anyone’s still around from back then.”

“Oh. I think so.” Cheryl grinned. “I called a few weeks ago and asked if we could reserve an area for a party for one of their former employees. When they found out it was Rose, they couldn’t say yes fast enough. Said something about giving us the bar side room.”

“They’re giving us the bar side room?” Laura turned to look at her in shock. “That’s the ultimate VIP area.”

”Really?” Kara’s smile widened. “I just figured it was closest to the bar, to the drinks, which was really convenient.”

“Speaking of…” Laura took a breath, “shall we?”

“Yeah.” Cheryl pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket and glanced at the name. “Okay, we’re supposed to say Tania approved us.”

“Tanny’s still here?” Laura laughed, “that makes sense then, she was the owner and manager when I started, and from what I heard now and again, never gave it up. She was like our older sister, mother bear, and boss all in one.”

”She’s really excited you’re here.” Sandra tucked her arm through Laura’s. “Let’s go.”

Together, they approached the door, Cheryl leading the way to the large man at the door instead of the long line waiting to get in. “Excuse me?”

“Line, ladies…” He turned and his voice trailed off. “Rosie?”

”Anthony?” Laura squealed and practically leaped into his arms as he lifted her easily and swung her around. “You’re still here?”

”Me and Tanny run the place. Always have,” he grinned at them as he set Laura down. “Probably always will. She said you were coming in tonight, finally ditched all those political types and coming in through the front door.”

”Front door?” Kara frowned. “I thought…”

“I needed a drink now and then.” Laura shrugged, “Tanny let me use the back door and hang out once in a while when I needed to escape and didn’t want to be seen.”

“Madame President….” Kara’s frown disappeared. “You were a rebel.”

“Heard about that.” Anthony’s grin widened. “And now you’re getting married or renewing or whatever?” His smile suddenly disappeared. “Not to that frakking idiot who you used to hide out here from, is it?”

”No.” Laura frowned at Cheryl, who was about to open her mouth. “Someone completely different. Very different.”

“Good.” He suddenly glanced at the line. “Guess I should get back to my job. Tanny set aside the Bar side room for ya.”

”So my sister said.” Laura turned, “oh, Anthony…these are my sisters, Cheryl and Sandra…”

“You used to bring them around once in a while, before…” his voice trailed off as he winced. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Laura smiled. “All in the past. And this is Tamara, my husband’s sister, and Kara, our adopted daughter.”

”Glad to meetcha all.” He grinned. “Let me know if you need anything or if anyone bothers you. Laurie, Tanny’s behind the bar for now, maybe a few of the girls you might remember. She’ll be over to see you soon as she realizes you’re here.”

”Thanks.” Laura hugged him again. “It’s so good to see you.”

“Likewise, Rose.” With a wink, he opened the door and ushered them in.

”Wow.” Tamara stopped and stared.

“You’ve never…” Laura realized. “Come on, you can see everything from inside.”

”It’s…I mean, I imagined what a nightclub would be like, and saw some virtual ones before…but,” Tamara looked around as Laura led her into the crowded main room.

“This is the main area.” Laura shouted over the music and voices, “there’s a balcony up there too, darts and tables for triad on either side down here and a private room upstairs. The bar runs across the far side of the room, we’ll be to the right of it.”

“It’s huge!” Tamara yelled back. “And amazing.”

“Here.” Laura grabbed a bottle from a nearby iced tub and handed it to her, then made sure the others had one as well. “Charge it to the Bar side tab.”

”Hey, you’re Rosie then.” The blonde girl manning the tub waved. “Welcome home! Tanny’s looking for you!”

“I’ll find her, thanks!” Laura called back as they moved into the crowd, already moving to the loud music as a girl sang from the top of the bar.

”You did that?” Tamara caught Laura’s hand and pointed at the bar.

“No way.” Laura shook her head. “I never sang, I did some of the dances though.”

“On the bar?” Tamara blinked. “Weren’t you…I mean…”

“It’s fun.” Laura called back.

“We did it too, Laura taught us some of the steps.” Sandra added as they pushed through into an open space by the bar. “This way?”

“To your right a bit more, there should be a rope.” Laura pointed.

“Hey!” Kara waved frantically, “over here!” Turning back to Laura, she grinned, “Maya, Racetrack, Kat, a few of the others I invited.”

“Great.” Laura followed Sandra just as a yell sounded from behind the bar, and a moment later, a body was swinging over it, the men in her way helping her down.

“Rosie!” The woman flung her arms around Laura. “Finally!”

“Tanny…” Laura hugged her tightly. “Oh my Gods, I’ve been hoping you were here, but I hadn’t…you look amazing.”

“Course I do darlin’.” She squeezed Laura’s waist. “This place keeps me young. You look amazing too. Better than I remembered seeing you before everything happened.”

”Feel better than then too.” Laura hugged her again. “Oh, Tanny, you remember Cheryl and Sandra…”

“Of course, your sisters. I’m glad Cheryl called me.” She winked, “should have called sooner, I would have cleared out the upstairs for you.”

”No, this is perfect!” Laura shook her head. “And this is Tamara, my husband’s sister. It’s her first time here.”

“Welcome to our humble bar.” Tanny winked at her. “And who are these rabble rousers?” She turned to the women that Kara was leading up.

“The leader is Kara, my adopted daughter, Maya, one of the teachers I work with…and the rest are pilots from Galactica, the ship I ended up on after the attack. Kara, Racetrack, Kat, Sideslip…and Tracker, this is Tanny, owner, proprietor, and best bartender around.”

”Welcome!” Tanny waved at them as they cheered for her. “I have the kitchen putting some stuff out for you, charge your drinks to the Bar side right, they’re on the house.”

“Tanny…” Laura protested. “You can’t…”

“I can, and I am.” She hugged Laura again. “You, Sierra, and Suzie were three of the best we had work here ever. Least I can do, as much as you brought in.”

”Really?” Sandra pushed to the front. “Can you tell us lots of stories about La…I mean Rose’s time here?”

“Just that she was one of our prides.” Tanny winked. “However, in repayment…”

”I’m not going up alone.” Laura shook her head.

“Wouldn’t expect you to.” Tanny’s smile widened, “however, you never know what’s gonna happen.”

”I need a lot more alcohol if that’s going to happen.” Laura lifted up her bottle, then held it to her lips, tilting it up as she drained it to the cheers of the others. “And I’m not going up alone, so you all better be ready.”

”To Rose.” Kara yelled as the girls echoed the toast, all of them draining their bottles as well.

“I’ll catch up with you later.” Tanny waved at one of the waitresses bearing down on them with a tray. “Here’s the first round.”

“Hey Tanny, this is the first tray,” The girl set the tray on the table and turned to face them. “I’m Camille, I’ll be in and out, or behind the bar, let me know if you need anything, Aunt Laura.”

”Cammie?” Laura stared at the girl. “Where the hell is your mother?”

“She’ll be here tomorrow. I called and told her you were coming tonight as soon as I heard, she’s catching a shuttle.” Camille winked. “Surprised?”

”Yes. You can’t be…” Laura shook her head. “Everyone, this is Cammie, I mean, Camille, my college roommate’s daughter, Cammie, this is, well, everyone.”

“Hey. Let me know if you need anything.” She waved, then stared at Kara, “hey, weren’t you at Picon a few years back, I mean, before…?”

“Maybe.” She shrugged. “We’re pilots.”

“Cool.” Cammie’s face lit up, “I want to talk to you later. Hey, I’m gonna do beer and ambrosia around, all right? Let me know if you want anything else.”

“Gods.” Laura hugged her again, “You’re coming to the wedding, we’ll make sure you get the information. It’s actually a renewal, but still…”

”I’ve heard about your mom, remember?” Cammie grinned. “Back in a bit. Yell if you need anything.”

“Anything.” Tanny echoed with a wink. “This place is crowded tonight, so you get any crashers or anyone hassling you, you let us know, Tony will take care of it.”

“Hey, we’re pilots…” Kara grinned.

”I know,” Tanny laughed, “I know you can take care of it, but the cleanup’s a bit easier when Tony does it. I’ll keep it in mind if he needs back up though.”

“Our pleasure.” Kara lifted the bottle Cammie had just handed her. “To Caprica Nights!”

“I’ll drink to that.” Tanny grabbed a bottle and lifted it as they all yelled. “To Caprica Nights!”

A few minutes later, Laura was holding a bottle with one hand and a chicken wing with the other as she gazed out at the once familiar crowded room. “This is amazing, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Sandra laughed. “What you had in mind?”

“Much better than tea and cake at Mama’s.” She giggled and bit at the wing. “Gods, this is good. I’d forgotten.”

“How?” Cheryl nudged her. “If you snuck back in here.”

”I stayed upstairs, out of sight. This is much more fun.” Laura moved to the music, closing her eyes and finding the beat that was pulsing through the room.

“I thought we were going to play triad.” Bill frowned as Zak pulled him toward a building.

”Later dad,” he grinned. “We have to go out drinking first, some sort of rule. Billy and Granddad are already inside. Some of the other guys Kara told me to invite as well.”

“Your grandfather is inside a Caprica Nights?” Bill raised an eyebrow.

“Yep. Said something about chaperoning us all.” Zak laughed. “Laura’s dad is meeting us later, Catherine has him doing something for the wedding.”

“I suppose we’re all lucky she let us off.” Bill shook his head as they approached a large man.

“Hey there, Adama party? I think everyone else is already in.” Zak asked the man at the door, who checked a list.

“Yeah. Bachelor party right?” He set the list aside. “Good luck finding them, but go on it.”

“Thanks.” Bill followed Zak in, wincing at the noise level. The best thing about Caprica Nights and the times he’d spent in them with Saul and Ellen was that they hadn’t been able to buy him a lap dance there. At least the drinks were fair, and it was a well run establishment. “So where is everyone?”

“Hold on.” Zak craned his neck and pointed upstairs. “There they are.”

“Great.” Bill grabbed two bottles of beer and handed the girl a stack of credits.

“Enjoy sir.” She winked at him and smiled at Zak.

“We will.” Zak returned her smile as he took the bottle from Bill. “Upstairs dad.”

“Headed that way.” Turning, he unerringly led the way upstairs and around the balcony to join the familiar faces he could see, finishing the bottle he held as he made his way across the floor, another bottle placed in his hand as soon as he’d set the first one aside.

“To dad.” Zak yelled, “may he always be in Laura’s good graces.”

“Only if I’m lucky.” Bill grinned as the others cheered and lifted their glasses and bottles.

“Hello sir.” Billy smiled at him. “Congratulations?”

“Bill, not sir.” He clapped Billy’s shoulder. “You’re practically one of the family as well. And thank you.”

”Welcome.” Billy flushed slightly as a chanting started from downstairs.

“What’s going on?” Bill turned to look at the teeming crowd below them.

”Every hour there’s some sort of challenge.” Billy yelled over the noise. “Fastest shot, or bottle, stuff like that. Someone challenges one of the bartenders, or they challenge someone out here.”

“Great.” Bill eyed the bartenders as two of them jumped on the bar, one holding a microphone. Even about to be married, and thoroughly as in love with Laura as he was, he could still appreciate their attire. From a distance of course.

“Challenge!” The girl with the microphone yelled, holding up her arm as the crowd roared in approval. “We challenge one of our former own to team shots. Winners to choose someone for a dance. Losers…pay a penalty!” The crowd roared again, glasses and bottles lifted into the air. “I’m Cammie, and…” she broke off as they cheered again, causing her to raise her arms up and do a little shimmy of appreciation before taking the microphone back. “Nadine and I challenge Rose and a partner of her choosing!” She pointed to an area below where Bill and the others were standing. “Rose, from what I’ve heard you were the best, when you and Sierra were here. Still got it?”

When nothing happened, Cammie grinned and looked out at the crowd. “What do you say? Want to see if the old school Nights girls still have it?” They roared in approval. “She needs some encouragement…Rose! Rose! Rose!…” She broke off laughing as the crowd took up the chant. As the crowd roared, Bill and the others joined in as a redheaded woman emerged from the shadows, a blonde in tow.

“I’m doing this, you’re frakking getting up there with me.” Laura yanked at Kara. “You’re the only one I know can get me out of this.”

“Hold on!” Kara shoved her bottle toward Racetrack before falling in step with Laura. “You sure about this?”

”No. But it’s a challenge.” Laura tossed her hair back and stepped up to the bar, using a nearby patron’s hand to help her step on the stool then up on the bar, where Cammie and another girl stood waiting, teasing the crowd as they did. “You’re going down little girl!” She grinned at Sierra’s daughter. If she was half as good as her mother, Laura knew it was going to be close.

“Right.” Cammie waved at two more girls, who joined them on the bar, each holding a tray filled with shots. “Rules are…twenty shots. First tray empty wins. Any questions?” As the crowd roared again, she turned to Laura and Kara, “Questions?”

“Nope.” Kara grinned. This was familiar territory that she knew. “Hold on.” Taking off her jacket, she turned and tossed it toward Racetrack. “Jacket?” She raised an eyebrow at Laura.

“Right.” Peeling off the jacket as whistles filled the air, she teasingly held it up before tossing it toward her sisters. “Hair?”

“Hold on.” Kara glanced around and waved at one of the girls behind the bar. “Hair tie. Give it up.”

”Sure thing.” She winked and pulled it out of her hair, tossing it to Laura, who yanked her hair back into a ponytail and fastened it.

“Okay.” Tanny’s voice filled the room, Cammie having handed her the microphone. “Ladies ready?” The two pairs, each poised on either side of a bartender with a full tray, waved. “All right everyone, let your favorites know you love them…Cammie and Nadine, our reigning champions and Rose and Kara, the challenged…let them hear it.” The noise swelled again, and she laughed. “All right ladies, three…two…one…drink!” As the crowd started yelling, all four women grabbed a shot glass from the tray in front of them and tossed it back.

A few minutes later, and it was over…the crowd still yelling in approval as Tanny lifted Laura and Kara’s hands. “The new champions!”

“Hey, returning champion!” Laura yelled back, laughing as she scanned the crowd and froze, her eyes wide.

”So Rose. Who’s the lucky guy?” Tanny gestured toward the crowd, the men yelling and lifting bottles, attempting to catch her eye. “Rose?”

“Frak…” Laura bit her lip, not sure whether to laugh or run. Of all the places to go…she turned to Kara and yelled to be heard over the noise, “hey, did you tell Zak where we were going?”

”No way. Didn’t want…” Her eyes widened. “Frak no. They’re here?”

“Yeah.” Laura shook her head and laughed, grabbing the microphone from Tanny. “I choose him!” She pointed directly at Bill. “Up here, Admiral.”

”Admiral?” Tanny blinked.

“Rose?” Stopping in front of her and stepping up on the lower rung of a stool, Bill grinned up at her. “Fancy meeting you here.”

“Likewise.” Dropping to her knees on the bar, she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply as the crowd exploded in noise, his hands running around to rest on her back.

”Gods, please tell me that’s her husband.” Tanny covered the microphone and murmured in Kara’s ear.

“Yeah.” Kara grinned. “You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“Good.” Tanny waved off her husband, who was halfway to them and lifted the microphone back to her mouth. “Rose has made her choice, Kara?”

Kara scanned the room and found a familiar face and pointed. “Zak, get up here.”

“You gonna kiss me?” He yelled back, pushing through the noisy crowd.

“Frak no. Just dance with you.” Kara leaned over and braced her hands on his shoulders before jumping down. Looking back up at the bar, where Laura was still firmly in Bill’s arms, she grinned. “Hey, Tanny…the challenge?”

”Challenge for the losers.” Tanny nodded. “What is it Kara?”

Ignoring the suggestions being yelled around her, Kara’s grin widened. “I challenge them to get Rose up on the bar to dance.”

“Hey,” Laura broke away from Bill’s lips and turned her head to stare at her. “No way, we won.”

“Come on.” Cammie knelt down on the bar. “Dare you.”

”Hey there.” Bill murmured in her ear.

“Hi.” Blushing she turned back to him, ignoring the yells of encouragement around them.

”Someone has a history I didn’t know about.” He chuckled.

“Yeah. Well, it was a long time ago.” She giggled as he caressed her back.

“Rose!” At the new voice, they both turned to see a tall, brunette woman about Laura’s age standing on the bar, the microphone in her hand, Tanny standing next to her with a grin on her face. “Get your ass on this bar and dance.”

“My ass is on this bar!” Laura yelled back, to Bill’s shock. The shots must really have…suddenly he realized, she was sliding out of his grasp and standing back up, deftly making her way along the bar and around the glasses and bottles strewn on it to throw her arms around the other woman, the crowd going wild at the sight.

”It’s my mom.” The younger girl who’d initially challenged Laura, Cammie he thought, took pity on him and bent over to yell in his ear. “They were roommates in college.”

“Oh!” Bill chuckled. “You gonna make my wife dance up there?”

“You gonna let me?” She laughed and held out a hand. “Cammie.”

“Bill.” He nodded at the two women. “Your mom?”

“Of course.” Cammie winked at him and stood back up. “Stay there and enjoy.” She moved back to the center of the bar and grabbed the microphone. “Music!”

Five long minutes later, Bill had Laura in his arms again, this time lifting her down from the bar. “You are frakking amazing.” He murmured in her ear as she ended up pressed up against him. “But, I knew that.”

”Hmm.” She smiled lazily at him and reached up to pull the hair tie out of her hair, shaking it out as he held her. “Likewise. Having fun?”

“Yeah. You seem to be too. Where’s your group?” Still holding her, he glanced around.

“Over there.” Laura pointed in a vague direction and shrieked as he scooped her up and carried her. “Hey Billy!” She waved over Bill’s shoulder, “wow, good turnout of pilots for your group too.”

“Yeah, Zak thought we should go out before playing cards.” Stopping at a velvet covered rope, behind which he could see several tables and familiar faces, he set her down. “See you in the morning?”

“Mmm hmm.” Laura draped her arms around his neck again. “Not too early, please.”

“Agreed.” He bent and kissed her, breaking off at a nudge against his back.

“Introduce us.” The woman who’d been on the bar with her and the woman who seemed to run the place stood there, hands on their hips.

“Oh!” Laura turned in his arms, laughing. “Bill, this is Tannia, or Tanny, she and her husband own the place. And this,” she indicated the other woman, “is Sierra, my grad school roommate, and instigator of all mischief we ever got into.”

“Right.” Sierra snorted. “It was like a dam let loose once we got you out of the library.” She held out a hand. “Glad to meet you. Hell of a lot better than her usual choices.”

”Sierra.” Laura frowned.

”She’s right.” Tanny grabbed Bill’s hand out of Sierra’s. “Glad to meet you. Didn’t know you were here as well.”

“Didn’t know she was either.” He smiled at them. “Pleasure to meet you both, you’ll be at the wedding?”

”Wouldn’t miss it.” Sierra nodded. “Not a chance.”

”Course not.” Laura hugged her quickly and turned back to Bill. “See you later.” Raising up on her toes, she kissed him. “Love you.”

“Love you.” As she stepped away, he took the chance and took a swat at her denim covered rear, grinning at her yelp before he slipped away through the crowd, Zak and Billy following quickly.

“Laurie…” Sierra grabbed her again and looked at the group of women behind the rope. “Sandy? Cheryl?”

”Sierra!” Cheryl undid the rope and pulled them inside the barrier as Tanny waved and returned to the bar. “Oh my Gods…you look amazing!”

“Of course I do.” She winked at Laura and hugged Cheryl and Sandra. “You two been behaving.”

“Course not.” They giggled as Kara handed her a glass of ambrosia.

“I’m Kara.” She grinned. “You’re the roommate?”

“Yep.” Sierra downed the drink and held out the glass, waiting for it to be refilled. “And you are?”

“My daughter.” Laura giggled at the expression on Sierra’s face. “Adopted.”

“Ah.” She nodded and hugged Cheryl and Sandra again. “I missed you two. I tried to keep her busy, but you know our Laurie…”

”Yeah.” Cheryl winked. “Thanks.”

“So. Tell me about her husband.” Sierra smiled at Laura and led Cheryl, Sandra, and Kara into the corner as Laura shook her head.

“You were…” Tamara touched Laura’s arm. “Wow.”

“It was a long time ago.” Laura laughed and took another drink from the bottle she held. “I’ll be feeling it tomorrow.”

“I think Bill liked it. You should have seen his face while you were up there dancing.” Tamara grinned. “This place is great!”

“No. I am not getting you a job here.” Laura shook her head. “Your parents would kill me!”

“My dad’s here.” Tamara shrugged, “And so is Bill, so what are they gonna say?”

”We’ll talk about it later.” Leaning over, Laura hugged her. “Come on, I’m hungry again.”

Several hours later, Laura fell onto her bed, giggling. “Gods, you four are insane.”

“Says the woman who could barely make it home herself.” Kara grinned down at her. “Losing your touch?”

“Not at all.” Laura rolled over and carefully pushed herself back to her feet. “All right…everyone, glass of water before you go to bed. Trust me.”

“She’s right.” Cheryl nudged Kara, “keeps the hangover to a minimum.”

“I don’t think that will work tonight.” Sandra sighed.

“Dibs on shower.” Laura moved around the bed, pausing at the door to the bedroom. “No going through the drawer. I bought you all things to wear.”

“Indeed you did.” Sandra wrinkled her nose at Laura. “We’ll see.”

”I’m seri…serious.” She frowned at them briefly before disappearing into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, they were gathered around the forbidden drawer, staring into it. “Wow.” Cheryl breathed out softly. “That’s beautiful.”

“I saw it when he showed it to Mama and Daddy.” Tamara smiled. “It was a present for her, it’s kylranium, from Tauron.”

“I said wear your own clothes.” Laura sighed from the door, hair wet and with her new robe wrapped around her. “Now get out of the drawer.”

“Laurie…the necklace.” Sandra turned to look at her.

“Oh.” Smiling, she crossed the room and joined them in staring into the drawer. “Bill gave it to me. I’m wearing it at the wedding.”

“It’s amazing.” Sandra sighed. “It’s really Tauron?”

”Yep.” Deftly, she grabbed a slip out of the drawer and closed it before returning to the bathroom. A moment later, she returned, hair clipped up on her head. “Next.”

“Kara went to her room to shower.” Cheryl passed Laura. “I’m next here.”

“Good.” Absently, she pressed a kiss on Cheryl’s forehead. “Be right back.” Wandering into the living room, she paused at the bookshelf and grabbed one of the books from the lower corner before continuing into the kitchen. Pouring herself a glass of water, she took it and the book out to the patio, where she perched on a chair and opened the book, absently lighting a cigarette as she gazed at the pictures, a smile occasionally touching her lips as she turned the pages.

“Wondered where you were.” Kara stepped out on the patio. “You need to be alone?”

“It’s all right.” Laura gestured. “Come on out, I was just looking at some pictures.”

“Of?” Kara helped herself to a cigarette and joined Laura at the table, looking at the book in front of her. “Hey, you were hot. I mean, not that you’re not…”

“I know what you mean, and I was young back then. Younger than you are as a matter of fact.” Laura giggled. “That’s Sierra and me, about six months after we’d been there.”

Kara gazed at the picture of Laura, definitely recognizable, and the taller brunette who’d arrived that night, arms around each other and holding beer bottles in their free hands as they both leaned forward, yelling something as they smiled, and from what Kara knew, Laura looked like she was about to start a giggling fit. “What’s it from?”

“Some article someone did in a travel magazine.” She shrugged. “Tanny loved it, said we captured the spirit and essence of the place. I liked it, and just hoped Mama and Daddy wouldn’t see it. Not that there was anything wrong with it, but they thought I was working at the library.”

“You look incredible.” Kara nudged her, “hey, can you imagine what trouble we would have gotten into together if we were the same age?”

“I have a feeling you two can get into enough trouble together even now.” Cheryl stated dryly from the door. “Laura, I’m putting a pot of tea on, want some?”

“I’m good.” She smiled at her sister. “Thanks though.”

”So.” Kara pulled out a triad deck. “Feeling lucky?”

“Triad?” Sandra stuck her head through the door. “Be right there.”

“Feeling very lucky.” Laura smiled lazily at Kara. “Bring it on. And remember this party’s for me.”

Kara snorted and took another drink from the glass she’d carried out. “Yeah. Like you need any help when playing triad.”

“So,” Sandra reappeared, carrying a plate of cookies and a glass. “Who’s dealing?”

”Everyone in?” Kara leaned back and yelled through the door, waiting for the affirmative answers before dealing, Tamara and Cheryl appearing and sliding into chairs around the table. “We’ll start easy. Traditional Caprican rules.” She winked. “For now.”

The next morning, Laura bit back a groan as the sun woke her up. She’d forgotten the frakking curtains again…Easing her way out of the bed they’d all fallen into a few hours earlier, she stumbled to the window and yanked at the curtains, shutting the light out before turning and gazing back at the bed, where the other women lay, once again looking like a litter of puppies or kittens, all curled together, arms and legs flung however they’d fit. Biting back a giggle, she slipped out of the room and grabbed the camera Bill had left on the counter and returned, quietly snapping a few pictures of her sisters, Kara, and Tamara before carrying it back to the living area. She’d just placed the camera back on the counter, when she heard the outside door open, and whirled to meet Bill’s startled eyes. “Hey.” She whispered, holding a finger up to her lips.

Bill nodded, he’d hoped to be in and out before Laura woke up, leaving the envelope he had for them all on the table. “Hey.” He crossed the room and stopped in front of her, smiling down at her for a moment before bending and kissing her. “Morning.”

“Morning.” Laura murmured into his ear. “This is a surprise.”

“I was just dropping something off for you.” Leaning back, he let his hands absently caress her silk covered back. “You okay?”

“Took painkillers before I went to bed.” She smiled. “Just tired. Wiped Kara’s butt in Triad though.”

”That’s one of us.” He chuckled. “Don’t ask. Let’s just say I owe Zak several days of labor though.”

Laura giggled softly. “We’re getting married again tomorrow.”

“Yes.” Bill bent and kissed her lightly. “We are. But, today…” He held up an envelope. “I wanted to do this for you. I already dropped one off to both of our mothers.”

“What is it.” She grabbed the envelope and opened it carefully, squinting at the letter inside. “Oh, Bill…” A smile spread across her face. A gift certificate for her, Cheryl, Sandra, Kara, and Tamara for a full day relaxation package at a spa. Massages, manicures, pedicures…anything they wanted would be arranged for when they arrived there.

“Your mom’s going to use hers next week.” He grinned. “Same with my mom. I told them it was from both of us. So, you and the girls are in the clear.”

“Best husband ever.” Laura kissed him. “Gods, I love you.”

“About time.” He murmured against her lips. “Where is everyone?”

“Still asleep, in our room.” A mischievous glint lit her eye. “Come on.” Stepping back, she dropped the letter on the table and pulled him around the corner into the kitchen, out of direct sight from the bedrooms. “Now. Kiss me and mean it Admiral Adama.”

“You’re still buzzed, Madame President.” Bill grinned and stepped forward, pinning her against the wall as she draped her arms around his neck.

“Happy.” She giggled, the sound morphing into a low moan as he bent and caught her mouth, one of his hands running along her body and down to the lace hem of her gown. “Dare we?”

“Last chance before tomorrow. You know they won’t let us alone tonight.” He nipped at her neck, his low husky voice making her tighten her grip on him.

“True.” One foot slipped up the back of his calf, caressing. “And the girls were sound asleep when I got up.”

“Your wall’s a lot more comfortable than a metal bulkhead.” He countered as one of her hands slid between them to unfasten his pants. “But for old times sake….”

“Yeah.” Pushing his pants down slightly, she draped her arms around his neck again. “Ready?”

“Yeah.” With a move that somehow they managed to do together, he lifted her and entered her as her legs wrapped around his waist. “Good?”

“Move, Admiral.” Laura bent her head and bit at his ear, swallowing another moan as he obeyed. Whimpering as he pressed her into the wall and somehow managing to move against him, Laura turned and blindly found his mouth, kissing him hard as they moved together. When she finally arched up against him, Bill pressing her even harder into the wall, capturing each others cries of release in their mouths, Laura tightened her arms around his neck, holding on to him.

A few minutes later, Bill stepped back from her as she leaned against the wall, gazing up at him with a dazed look on her face. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” She smiled lazily. “Gods…we haven’t done that in a while.”

”No.” Bill reached out for a dishtowel and turned on the water. After cleaning them both up, he opened the disposal bin and tossed it inside, and refastened his pants before returning to her. Tracing her cheek with a finger, he smiled. “Is that something Rose would have done?”

“No.” Laura giggled, “Rose wouldn’t have done that. You’re going to want details, aren’t you.”

“Very much so.” He tugged her nightgown back to her thighs as they caught the sound of a door opening. “And any I don’t get from you, I’ll get from…who were they again, oh yeah, Tanny and Sierra.”

”Mmm hmm.” Leaning forward, she draped her arms around his neck again and kissed him.

”Ewww.” Kara groaned as she came around the corner.

”Hey, we could have been in your room.” Bill looked over his shoulder at her with a grin as she shuddered. “What do you hear Starbuck?”

“Nothin’ but the rain. And the pounding in my head.” Her hand groped for the bottle of painkillers Laura had set out the night before. “Too many frakking boom, boom, booms. You two done in here or do we need to set the room off limits?”

“We’re done.” Laura giggled at the expression on Kara’s face. “Saying good morning.”

“Don’t want to know.” She winced and opened the cooler, grabbing a pitcher of juice and pouring a glass for herself. “Oh. You guys want anything?”

“No.” Laura kissed Bill lightly and patted his chest. “Bill was just leaving again anyway, he was dropping something off for us.”

“Really strong painkillers?” Kara asked hopefully.

“Nope. Should have listened to her.” Bill stepped away from Laura and patted Kara on the head as he passed her. “Water before and after, and the painkiller before bed.”

“Still feel it though.” Laura admitted with a wince. “Age catching up, and not as accustomed to it as I was back then.”

“Yeah, Rose.” Kara grinned. “So today’s present?”

”We’re going to a spa.” Laura announced, reaching out to grab Kara’s juice glass before she dropped it. “All of us. You don’t have to have the manicure or pedicure, but the massage will be worth it.”

”Better be.” Kara grimaced. “I’m gonna go take another shower. Maybe wake up more.”

“Morning.” Cheryl entered the kitchen. “Hey Bill. What are you doing here?”

“Just leaving.” As Laura moved to catch his hand, he smiled at her. “See you all at dinner tonight.”

“Right.” Cheryl grabbed the bottle Kara handed her. “Thanks.”

“We’re going to a frakking spa.” Kara announced as Bill and Laura moved toward the front door, both of them laughing softly at Cheryl’s delighted squeal and Kara’s groan in response.

“So, tonight at dinner?” Laura smiled at him, standing on the step above him at the entry way.

“Yeah.” He leaned forward and kissed the spot he loved between her breasts before tilting his head up to catch her lips, her hands automatically going to his hair. When they broke apart, he moved his mouth toward her ear. “Have a good day.”

“Definitely had a good start.” She murmured back. “Love you.”

“Bout time.” He chuckled. “See you tonight. My parents place.”

“We’ll be there.” Laura sighed and stepped around him as he released her, giving him one last smile before he left, closing the door behind him. Closing her eyes, she leaned against the door, hand wandering along her body, letting her mind wander back a few minutes and enjoying the sensations he’d raised in her with their hard, quick…as a noise registered, her eyes flew open.

“Gotcha!” Cheryl grinned from behind the camera she’d just used to take a picture of Laura with. “Serves you right, thought I’d heard a camera, then saw it on the counter.”

“Give it back!” Laura could only imagine what the picture Cheryl had just taken would look like. “I said, give it back now!” Pushing off from the door, she ran after Cheryl, who shrieked and tossed the camera to Kara, who barely managed to toss it back before Laura tackled her, pushing her down onto the sofa.

“Sandy, catch!” As Laura pushed herself off of Kara and headed for her, Cheryl tossed the camera to Sandra, who’d just emerged from the bedroom, yawning.

”What…ow!” Sandra grabbed at the camera and blinked at them just before Laura caught her around the waist. “Tam…catch!”

“Huh?” Tamara looked up from the bed, where she lay tangled in the sheets, just as the camera landed next to her. “What?”

”Keep it from Laura.” Laughing, Sandra grabbed Laura’s waist as she struggled to get through the door.

”Oh.” As Laura wriggled loose, Tamara curled herself into a ball around the camera, shrieking as Laura landed on the bed next to her. “Sandra…help!”

“Gotcha.” Sandra landed next to Laura, followed by two more bounces as Cheryl and Kara followed. “What’s the picture of?” She lay practically on top of Laura, Kara across Laura’s legs.

”I’m going to kill you, Cheryl!” Laura wriggled again. “Give it back!”

“This.” Calling up the picture she’d just taken, Cheryl showed the others.

“You look amazing.” Tamara blinked. “You should give this to Bill.”

Sandra sighed. “You should, he’ll love it. And you look amazing.”

“Let me see.” With a sigh, Laura stopped struggling and waited for Cheryl to show her the picture. “Gods, I look like…” well. In all honesty she looked exactly the way she’d expected to. Just frakked and wanting more.

”Yeah.” Kara grinned. “I knew I’d interrupted something.”

“You didn’t interrupt…” Laura blushed as all four faces turned to stare at her. “Frak…” With a groan, she reached out and grabbed a pillow, burying her face in it as they burst out laughing.