6 – Foundations on the Shore

Stepping into the classroom, Bill glanced around, his gaze finally falling on Laura as his smile widened. Leaning against the doorframe, he watched her as she perched on a chair, bent over a small boy, her soft laugh wafting across the room in delight as he read to her. As he watched, she turned a page, her finger pointing to a spot on the new page. With a sigh, the boy frowned, apparently sounding out the word, and was rewarded by her smile and hug as he managed to get it out. When the boy continued to read, Laura lifted her head, her smile fading for a moment before she turned to see him waiting for her. When he lifted his hand silently in greeting, her smile returned as she held up a finger.

“Admiral.” A young woman stopped next to him. “It’s good to see you.”

He gazed at her, she was familiar…but…he couldn’t quite… “I’m sorry, I know you but…”

“Maya.” She held out a hand and watched as recognition dawned. “Hera’s…”

“Yes.” Bill nodded slowly. “You protected her.”

Maya nodded slightly. “For the time I had her…I didn’t realize until Laura and I spoke, here…”

“None of us did.” He glanced over his shoulder to see Laura watching the two of them, her smile gone. Nodding reassuringly at her, he returned his attention to Maya. “You’re all right, then?”

“Once I got over the shock.” She sighed softly. “I always knew she was special…I just didn’t know it was to everyone, not just me. And then when Laura asked me to help with the school, I couldn’t believe she remembered me…”

“She wouldn’t have trusted Hera to just anyone.” Bill murmured. “Believe that.”

”I do.” Maya glanced over her shoulder and frowned at a group of children who were getting louder. When the noise subsided, she returned her attention to the man in front of her. “And now, she’s assisting me. She’s missed you.”

“I missed her.” As Laura moved to join them, the boy’s hand in hers, Bill’s smile widened. “Hello there.”

“Hi.” She knelt and whispered into the boy’s ear, waiting for his shy nod as he stared up at Bill. “Admiral, I’d like to introduce you to Alexander, he remembers you from your visits on New Caprica.”

”Hello there, Alexander.” With a grin at Maya, he bent down and extended his hand, eying the boy. “I seem to remember that you were interested in being a pilot?”

The boy’s eyes widened. “You do? I mean…yeah…yes sir. I got to visit one of the raptors and get a tour.”

“I remember.” He waited as the boy took his hand then solemnly shook it. “Still studying so you can learn to fly?”

“Yes sir, Miss Laura, she’s helping me with my reading, sometimes it’s not too easy. But I like the books. The stories.” He blinked and glanced at Laura, who gave an encouraging nod. “Would you like to read with me sometime, Admiral? We could read books about flying. Miss Laura knows lots, but she doesn’t know about flying, and Miss Kara isn’t around a whole lot.”

“I’d like that Alexander.” Bill nodded. “I’ll make a point of stopping by so we can talk…I mean, read stories about flying.”

“See?” Laura stood and smiled down at them. “Now, Alexander, go join the others, it’s almost time for math.”

“Yes Ma’am.” He grinned, “see you later Admiral.” Waiting for Maya’s nod, he ran around them and joined the rest of the class, who were settling down at their desks.

“He’s doing better.” Laura held a hand out as Bill stood. “He has trouble reading sometimes, it’s a slight disability, it just takes him a bit longer, and he gets frustrated. Interestingly enough, no problems with math.”

“He’s one of the best students in Math and Science.” Maya agreed. “And speaking of…”

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” Laura hugged the younger woman.

“A pleasure.” Bill nodded at Maya as he caught Laura’s hand.

“Likewise.” With a final smile she turned and moved back toward the students. “All right, math books out and mouths quiet.”

“She’s really turned into an excellent teacher.” Laura commented softly as they moved toward the door. “Most of the kids in this class are from New Caprica or from the ships…for various reasons.”

“And you’re her assistant?” As they exited the building, he slid his arm around her waist.

“I help with the reading, sometimes some other projects.” She shrugged. “I like it, and the children are wonderful to be around, and many of them were in class with me on New Caprica. They still want to learn, and they still age…for now. Again, it’s one of those ambiguities of where we are.”

“So many of those.” Stopping he glanced around the sunny courtyard, several people strolling along but no one paying attention to them.

“What?” Laura raised an eyebrow as she turned to face him.

“This.” Gently, he pulled her against him, kissing her as her arms ran up around his neck. When they broke apart, he smiled and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. “Better. I like being able to do that when we feel like it.”

“Hmm. Me too.” Eyes still closed she sighed softly. “So, how was your morning?”

“Good.” He waited as she relaxed against him, arms still draped over his shoulders. “It’s interesting getting to know my father again, with the knowledge and experiences I’ve had. They’d like us over for dinner tonight.”

“Good. I’d like that.” She echoed him softly and opened her eyes. “For now though, shopping for the house, right?”

“Yep.” He nodded toward a small shadowed door. “There first.”

“There?” Laura turned and frowned slightly. “That doesn’t look like a furniture store.”

“Because it’s not.” Bill chuckled and slid his arm around her waist, turning her toward the door.

“I’ve not seen this before.” She fell in step with him as they approached the door then caught her breath in delight when he pushed it open. “Oh…”

“Like it?” He grinned, watching her face as she stared at the rows and shelves of books. None of them new and glossy, but well loved and cared for. “It’s a place I found earlier, out of the way…I thought we could start here and fill some of those empty bookshelves. Limit ourselves to a box or two to start though.”

”We can find them together.” Laura slowly entered the dusty room, her eyes bright, “oh…hello.” She noticed an elderly man in a corner behind a counter.

“Ah…true lovers of each other and books.” He smiled at them, a twinkle in his eye. “Enjoy your hunt, let me know if I may assist…”

“We will.” Bill nodded. “We can arrange to have them delivered? We’ll probably have quite a few.”

“As long as it’s not an immediate need, yes, I can arrange to have them delivered.” His smile widened. “Take your time, let me know if there’s something you’d like that you don’t see…”

“Thank you.” Laura was already headed toward a nearby shelf, her hand reaching for a book that had immediately caught her eye. “Bill, look…it’s a first edition…”

“So it is.” As she opened the book carefully, he peered over her shoulder, reading a paragraph. “Sounds intriguing, trust you to find a mystery first thing.”

“Hmm.” She giggled. “I don’t remember this one.”

“Don’t read it here.” As she turned the page, he deftly took it out of her hand and tucked it under his arm. “Pick another.” As she slowly ran a finger along the shelf gazing at titles, Bill felt a touch on his arm.

“Here you go.” The elderly man handed him a basket. “Looks like your wife will be adding quite a bit to it.”

“We both will.” Bill chuckled. “Just furnishing our house and we have a lot of empty bookshelves.”

“Ah,” he nodded, “building the foundation?”

“We loved books and never had enough time with each other, and the books.” Bill glanced at Laura who had opened another book and was reading it intently. “We used them to escape, to soothe…all too infrequently. It’s something we want to take plenty of time to enjoy now. Some of the only moments of peace we had before arriving were shared with books…”

“I see.” With a nod, he smiled again. “I’ll think on it.”

At the curious statement, Bill tilted his head but was distracted by Laura handing him another book. “What’s this?”

“Another mystery.” She tucked her arm through his. “I love this place…can’t believe I haven’t seen it before.”

“It’s now, our place.” He kissed the top of her head and led her back to another shelf. “I’ll leave you this basket. I want to go look for some history books…”

“Kay…” already distracted by a book she could barely see tucked away, Laura released his arm and reached up for it.

An hour later, Bill shut the door to the shop behind them, blinking in the sunlight. “Hungry?”

“Mmm.” Laura turned and moved into his arms. “Ravenous.” Catching him by surprise, she tilted her head up and caught his lips as he stumbled back against the wall. “Love you.”

“If I’d known bookstores did this to you…” Chuckling, he wrapped his arms around her.

“Not bookstores, you.” As he let his mouth wander down her neck, Laura’s head dropped back. “Gods…Bill…”

“We’ve got shopping to do.” With a reluctant groan, he kissed her then released her, running his hand down her arm to lace fingers with hers. “Come on. We don’t focus, we’ll never get the house done.”

“Spoilsport.” She sighed softly.

“For now.” Bill leaned his head toward hers as they returned to the main sidewalk. “Once we have everything done, I promise to make love whenever you want…”

“Hmm.” Laura glanced up at him, eyes lit up with mischief. “That’s an openended offer…whenever, what about wherever?”

“Behave.” He squeezed her hand. “Now where would we go for a bed…”

“Ah yes, the two most important things for us…books and a bed.” She giggled.

“On our terms this time.” Bill grinned. “A nice big comfortable bed.”

“Nowhere near responsibilities or a comunit.” Laura sighed happily. “With sunlight…”

“And each other.” He paused at a street vendors cart and glanced at her. “For now?”

“Mmm.” She nodded and pointed at one of the sandwiches. “That one please.” A few minutes later, sandwiches and drinks in hand, they were settled at a nearby table. “So, what kind of bed?”

“I told you. Large, and like the one at the apartment.” He took a bite and chewed thoughtfully. “Then I suppose we have to get all the other things that go along with it.”

“Linens and such.” Laura took a bite and closed her eyes as she chewed. “This is good. I was thinking maybe a sleigh type headboard?” When he raised an eyebrow in inquiry, she continued. “You know, a solid piece, slightly curved?”

“No solid pieces.” Bill shook his head, a grin on his face.

“No solid…” She frowned slightly. “Why?”

Leaning forward, he removed a crumb from the side of her mouth before speaking, his voice a husky intimate level. “Because. If it’s solid, you don’t have anything to hold on to. And I love watching you…” As a blush ran up her face, he chuckled. “So?”

“Um.” She took a hasty swallow of her drink. “No solid headboard.” As he chuckled again, her eyes narrowed and she leaned toward him, their faces only inches apart across the picnic table as she dropped her voice to match his level. “So, you love watching me clutch at the headboard as I shatter under you? My body arching up, aching for you…” As he flushed, she raised an eyebrow and giggled. “Don’t start it if you can’t finish it, Admiral.”

”Oh, I can finish it.” Not even glancing around to make sure no one was in earshot, he continued. “Your hands trapped holding onto the headboard as my hands wander your body, tracing lines and leaving you wanting, my mouth biting and licking wherever I’d like as you shudder under me with need. Your legs wrapped around my waist, trying to pull me closer as I thrust…”

“Bill.” It came out as a cross between a groan and a gasp as she dropped her sandwich and clutched at the back of his head, yanking it toward hers as she kissed him. “Gods….” When they broke apart, foreheads resting together, she was almost panting. “Bill…we probably shouldn’t go look for beds right now…”

“We get too close, we’ll use one?” Equally breathless, he lifted his head from hers and glanced around the park area they were in. It was late enough after the traditional lunch hour that there were only a few other people in the area, although they could hear voices and laughter from some of the sports areas a short distance away. “Come on.”

“What?” As he grabbed their partially eaten sandwiches and tossed them into the bag the vendor had handed him then caught her hand, Laura absently picked up her drink with her free hand. “Bill, we need to go…Gods…”

”Laura.” He pulled her along behind him, glancing back quickly. “Shh.”

“Bill.” A giggle bubbling up inside her, she caught up with him as he strode underneath a grove of trees, the overhanging branches shielding them from others in the park. “Bill, we are not…”

“Yes we are.” He growled, glancing quickly at the trees in the shaded grove and selecting one that was deep within the others. “Come on Roslin.”

”Adama.” She corrected, giggling again.

“Term of endearment.” Dropping the sack to the side, he turned her so her back was against the tree, his free hand moving to slide up her leg, the skirt rising with it. “All right?”

“Why Admiral.” Her hand wrapped around his neck, the drink dropping from her other hand as his mouth covered hers just as his hand slid under her lingerie, his mouth swallowing her strangled moan.

Minutes later, he rested against her, pinning her against the tree as they caught their breath. “Kay?”

”Hmm.” Eyes closed, her head lolled back against the tree trunk as he used his tongue to trace the tendons in her neck. “Gods. Bill.”

He chuckled. “Sorry. A bit fast.”

“Fast good.” She wrapped a leg around his, rubbing gently. “Sometimes.”

“Yeah.” He bit her earlobe. “Too heavy for you?”

“No.” She tightened her grip on him. “Like you there.”

“Laura?” Bill lifted his head to gaze at her face as she opened her eyes, their pale green depths still slightly unfocused. “Really, you all right?”

She blinked, trying to focus on him. “Yeah.” Laura swallowed again, her smile widening. “Gods. You’d think we were horny teenagers…”

”I can’t believe you just said that.” Chuckling, he grinned at her, reaching down to catch the leg wrapped around him and lifting it higher to rest around his waist, eliciting another soft hum from her as she shuddered slightly at the change of angle. “I think I ruined another pair of your underwear.”

“All for the cause.” Eyes closing again, she let her head fall back against the tree as his thumb traced patterns on her bare thigh. “Now though, we have to go shopping, and I won’t have a thing on underneath my skirt.”

Bill tightened his grip on her. “Not a thought I needed.”

“I can tell.” Abruptly, she tightened the leg around his waist, pulling him against her again as she left out a gasp. “Gods, Bill…I’m…I didn’t mean…” Her soft protests evolved into moans again as his mouth caught hers, one hand trapping hers over her head, the other still wandering her body until she shuddered again, her body arching against his.

”Who knew the sexy schoolteacher was this insatiable?” He murmured.

“Not…me.” Laura caught her breath, her leg trembling as the other dropped to try to help her balance. “Bill, this isn’t…I mean, I haven’t…”

“Shh.” Moving slightly away from her, he first adjusted their clothes then carefully eased her down to the ground, resting against the tree. As she watched, he grabbed the bag and pulled out several napkins, holding them up and waiting for her slow nod.

”Careful.” Laura closed her eyes and relaxed against the tree as his hands gently ran along her legs, first using the napkins, then carefully massaging so they stopped trembling. “Love you.”

“And I love you.” He kissed her, his mouth playing across hers until they parted with a series of short, breathy kisses. “All right?”

“Rest a bit. Short night, active kids this morning, and then…” When he moved next to her, leaning against the tree, she settled against him with a sigh. “Just want to rest a bit. Enjoy the feeling.”

”You do that.” One arm wrapped around her, the other hand stroking through her hair, Bill smiled. While she’d often dropped off after making love while on Galactica, that had been her body betraying her, the cancer weakening her. Here, he could hold her as she reveled in the sensations they caused in each other, the…what was that frakkin’ term he’d heard…yeah, the afterglow. Glancing down at the shaded sunlight glinting off her hair, his smile widened as she sighed happily, her hand absently caressing his chest. “So, headboard?”

“Something to hold onto.” Laura smiled against his chest. “Bill, did we just frak in a public park in broad daylight?”

“Twice.” He chuckled again, “although, we are in a shaded, extremely secluded, private area. And, there weren’t that many people around to start with.”

”Hmm.” She giggled. “How irresponsible of us.”

“I’d rather think of it as irrepressible of us.” He kissed the top of her head. “Perhaps a bit reckless. Completely out of character for us. But oh, so fun for us.”

“Hmm.” Laura’s giggle turned into a soft laugh. “Perhaps we should plan on going home after going book shopping next time…”

“We could.” When she nestled closer to him, he tightened his grip on her, resting for a few minutes himself before speaking again. “So, the kids in the school…”

“Most of them are from New Caprica…or the trip.” She sighed. “It’s another mystery of Elysium. We’ve found each other, but it’s never crowded, no matter how many of our past…situations we reflect on. Quite curious. Not perfect, there’s problems, but it’s peaceful.”

“Elysium?” He hadn’t heard her refer to where they were that way before.

“Hmm?” Laura lifted her head to look at him.

“Elysium. You called this place Elysium, why?” Bill brushed her bangs out of her face.

She frowned slightly. “I…I don’t know…wait.” Pushing herself up, she tucked her legs underneath her and faced him. “I think my mother…that’s it. The Fields of Elysium. That’s where I got it from.”

“Elysium.” He nodded slowly. “’And those that have three times kept to their oaths, Keeping their souls clean and pure, Never letting their hearts be defiled by the taint Of evil and injustice, And barbaric veniality, They are led by Zeus to the end: To the palace of Kronos, Where soothing breezes off the Ocean Breathe over the Isle of the Blessed: All around flowers are blazing with a Dazzling light: Some springing from the shining trees, Others nourished by the water from the sea: With circlets and garlands of flowers they Crown their hands…’ “ his voice trailed off as he realized she was staring at him in shock. “Oh. War College, Classical studies. Long time ago.”

“Bill…” She blinked at him. “That was Pindar…”

“Didn’t remember who, didn’t even know I remembered the passage.” He swallowed. “Um, really long time ago. Guess the mention of Elysium triggered it.”

“We’ll have to see what else you remember.” Laura leaned forward and kissed him gently. “Ready?”

“I say, we go ahead and look for beds, since we’re in town.” Standing, he reached down to help her stand. “Then go back to the apartment?”

“Just so I can, um…” bending, Laura picked up what was left of her underwear and dangled it from her finger. “Replace these.” She dropped them into the bag that held what was left of their lunch and the napkins he’d used on her and added the now crumpled cup that had held her drink. “Then we can go to the house?”

“Or we could go directly to the house…” He raised an eyebrow then burst out laughing at her expression.

“It’s bad enough having to go to a store…and hoping there’s no wind.” She shook her head at him. “No way am I going any longer than necessary. At least I have on a longer skirt today…”

“Where’s the wild Laurie?” Bill teased, catching her hand.

“I’ll show you wild Laurie later.” Laura promised, pulling him toward the edge of the trees. “But not in public.”

“Promises, promises.” He followed her out into the sunlight, both of them pausing to get their bearings for a moment before continuing toward the path, pausing only so Laura could dispose of the bag she carried. “So where are we going?”

“There’s a furniture store, over on the other side of the park.” She smiled at him. “We should be able to find something there.”

“Laura!” At the call, they both turned, shading their eyes. “Laura, wait up!”

“Sorry.” She glanced at him, “shouldn’t take but a minute.”

“It’s fine.” Bill squeezed her hand as Cheryl ran up.

“Thought that was you, hi Bill.” She smiled. “What are you two doing here?”

”Passing through, on our way to do some shopping.” Laura blinked as Cheryl reached out and pulled a leaf out of her hair.

“Mmm hmm.” She giggled. “Hey, Mama and I were talking earlier, she wanted to know if you wanted a chocolate cake or a different kind.”

“Cake?” Bill looked confused as Laura sighed.

“Wedding.” She glanced at him wryly. “Mama believes in planning way ahead. Do you have a preference?”

“Chocolate, but not too sweet? Maybe something nutty?” He shrugged. “Does that help?”

“Chocolate with something nutty…” Cheryl nodded. “Got it.”

“Not peanuts, maybe something a little…” Laura sighed again. “Just tell her to try a few different things, we’ll come over and try them.”

“A dessert party.” Cheryl nodded, “love it. She has some flowers she wants to talk to you about too. I’m glad I saw you…”

“What are you doing around here anyway?” Glancing around the park, Laura gestured with an arm.

“Running errands for Mama, and I have a class this afternoon, so was taking a shortcut.” Cheryl shrugged. “I’ll let her know about the cakes.”

“Have fun at class.” Bill chuckled as Cheryl threw her arms around Laura and waved at him before striding off in the opposite direction. “She’s certainly…energetic.”

“That she is.” Laura giggled softly and took his arm. “Ready to shop?”

“For a bed, yes.” They continued toward the path. “Wedding cake, flowers?”

“I warned you.” She rested her head on his shoulder as they strolled along. “She waited her whole life for me to get married, and I never…well, she’s been waiting for you longer than I have.”

“Lovely way to put it.” He chuckled. “And your father?”

“He likes you.” Laura smiled. “And that’s saying a lot.”

“And my parents like you.” He squeezed her hand. “For my father, that’s a lot. Still getting to know my mother.”

”I like them. And your sister.” She smiled. “She’s going out with mine tonight, remember?”

Bill winced. “I think I was trying to block it out, since they’ll be with Kara. Until now. You sure that’s a good idea?”

“No, but it’ll be fine. Maybe that’s why your parents want to have us over tonight.” Laura stopped in front of a storefront. “Here we are.”

“Big step.” He paused, pulling her back to look at him. “Our first time shopping for furniture together.”

“Hmm.” Her eyebrow raised, “guess we’ll see how compatible our tastes are, or how good we are a compromising.”

“Too bad there’s no testing…” His hand ran discreetly down her back and traced a line along her hip. “You’re prepared.”

“Hush.” Reaching back, she caught his hand. “And behave.”

“I thought I was.” He growled under his breath as she led him into the store. “Frak…”

“Not a shopping person?” Laura glanced over her shoulder and giggled. “Why does that not surprise me.”

“Military, remember?” Bill stared around the large, brightly lit store, filled with what looked like endless living spaces, bordered with what appeared to be bedrooms of all types. “Always provided for us, before that, Carolanne took care of it, or I just rented a furnished place. Only exception was my couch, and I saw that in the window of a place, called them and arranged for them to deliver it.”

”All we need to do is look around, fend off salespeople, and decide what we like.” She nodded at the person coming toward them. “Smile, don’t glower.”

“Not glowering.” He muttered, attempting to paste a smile on his face.

“Welcome, is there something I can help you find?” The man bowed slightly at them.

“We’re just going to browse.” Laura smiled at him. “We’re in the process of starting to furnish our house…just getting some ideas,” when Bill opened his mouth, she squeezed his hand. “If you have a card, we’ll find you if we have any questions or decide on anything?”

“Of course.” He slipped one out of a pocket and handed it to Bill. “We’re able to deliver, usually within two days, if that’s convenient.”

“Thank you.” Laura glanced at the card Bill was eyeing. “Walter. We’ll call you if we find anything, or have any questions.”

“Thank you.” With another nod, he moved away and toward another couple that had just entered.

“Keep the card out.” She murmured under her breath, “acts as a repellant if any others want to approach us. He’ll probably head back to touch base with us a few times.”

”Didn’t know you were so proficient at this.” He followed her as she wound through the store.

“I knew what I wanted, so was a bit…selective when I did my apartment.” Laura threw a smile over her shoulder at him. “I guess it stuck with me.”

When they approached the first bedroom area, they exchanged a glance, both shaking their head. “Too…”

“Definitely.” Laura glanced at the intricate latticed metalwork. “Too…fussy.” They moved to the next one. “That’s the sleigh bed headboard I was talking about.”

”It’s nice, but…” Bill shrugged.

“But.” She smiled up at him, “I like why you don’t want it.”

“So do I.” Discreetly, he ran his hand down her back, letting it rest on her hip.

“Behave.” Laura twisted her arm back and caught his hand as they rounded a corner, both of them coming to a stop as they stared at the bed in front of them. “Oh my.”

“Is that a good oh my?” Bill murmured, blinking. The bed was easily as big as the one in her apartment, if not slightly bigger, and the headboard was actually similar to the sleigh thing Laura had wanted, but had a latticed design on it, so wasn’t solid.

“Oh yes.” Laura blinked. The wood was dark enough to compliment the floor and walls of the bedroom, and was…just… “hold on.” Releasing his hand, she sank down on the edge of the mattress and carefully pushed back, reclining slightly and glancing around to make sure they weren’t being observed before she reached back and grasped the headboard, smiling mischievously at him. “Comfortable to hold on to as well.”

“Laura.” He swallowed. “We are finding Walter, getting this bed, and going home. Now.”

“You like?” Risking it, she arched her back, rubbing her legs slightly together. His response was another growl as he reached out and caught her waist, pulling her off the bed and against him.

“So, you’ve found something you like?” At the amused voice, they broke apart, Laura blushing slightly.

“Yes.” Bill nodded. “We’ll take the bed and the side tables.”

“Excellent.” Walter rubbed his hands together. “Let’s just go over here so we can make the arrangements.”

Thirty minutes later, Laura was on her back again, this time on her own bed with Bill over her. “So, you like shopping for furniture?”

“Beds. Yes.” Pulling her blouse off, he tossed it to the side. “We’ll take the rest as it comes.”

“Like this?” Reaching up, she grasped the headboard and arched her back. “And what did you want to do in the store?”

“You need to ask?” Bill grinned, his clothes dropping to the floor next to hers. “And what did you want to do in the store?”

“Hmm.” Laura shifted her weight as he traced absent designs on her skin. “Make you do that.” She giggled. “What time are we having dinner with your parents?”

“You have to bring my parents up right now?” He grimaced, his hand pausing. “Sixish.”

“Kay.” Arching her back as she sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Plenty of time.”

“Yeah.” He agreed, his mouth moving along her neck. “Plenty of time.”

“Laura?” At the call, they froze. “Laura, you here?”

“Gods.” Laura tried to catch her breath and move her thoughts from what Bill had been doing to her body to figuring out who was calling her from the living area of her house. “Kara.”

”When’s Walter having that bed delivered?” Bill grimaced as he lifted his head and gazed at her.

“Tamara wanted to come by.” Kara called from the living room.

“Stay here.” Laura slid out from under his body and pulled open a drawer, rummaging through it quickly and pulling out a robe. Pulling her hair out of the collar, she belted it as she entered the living area. “Hi there.”

“Hey, there you…” Kara’s voice trailed off. “Sorry, didn’t realize you were asleep. You feeling all right?”

“It’s okay.” Laura faked a yawn. “Kids wore me out at the school this morning. Hi Tamara.”

“Hi.” She smiled shyly. “I hope its okay. Kara asked if I wanted to come by this afternoon before we went out.”

“No problem.” Laura gestured. “Um…make yourself at home. Bill and I are going to dinner at your parents tonight.”

“Mom told me.” Tamara’s smile widened. “She’s looking forward to it. As is my father. They like you.”

“I like them.” Crossing her arms, she smiled. “Kara knows where everything is…I’m going to catch a nap before tonight.”

“Thanks.” Tamara nodded. “She wanted to show me a simulator program?”

”In here.” Kara was eyeing Laura closely, a suspicious look on her face. “You sure you’re all right?”

“Fine. Just…tired.” Laura nodded at them. “Have fun tonight…”

“You too.” Kara watched the older woman turn and move back toward the bedroom. “Tell the Admiral I said hi…when you see him.” As Laura froze, she grinned. “Tonight, of course.”

“Of course.” Laura shook her head and glanced at Kara, easily meeting her amused look with a raised eyebrow. “I will for both of you.”

As Laura stepped back inside the bedroom and closed the door, she stared at Bill, who’d taken the time to toss their clothes into the cleaning hamper and turn down the bed. “Kara and Tamara. Kara wanted to show her the apartment and the simulator program in her room before they go out tonight. The Adama girls and the Roslin girls.”

“Kara and Tamara are out there?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Yep. Told them the kids wore me out this morning and I was taking a nap.” With a sigh she perched on the edge of the bed, lying back when he slid an arm around her waist. Cuddling into his side, she slid a leg over his. “Kara suspects you’re in here. Hypothetically, they’ll be in her room, looking at the simulator she has in there for a bit, then head out again.”

“So.” Bill pulled the tie of her robe so it fell open. “Someone has to remain quiet, if she’s supposed to be resting.”

“Someone has to remain quiet if he’s not here.” Rolling slightly, she landed on top of him, her mouth moving to his neck.

“Or we really could just rest.” Catching her chin with a finger, he tilted her face so he could kiss her. “We didn’t get much sleep the last few nights…catching up.”

“True.” Laura mused, relaxing back onto him. “Worth it though.”

“Oh yeah.” Bill chuckled, kissing the top of her head. “So. The books and bed both delivered tomorrow afternoon. You teaching again in the morning?”

“I am.” Absently, she played with the dog tags he still wore. “You mind?”

He shook his head, his hand moving to slowly stroke through her hair, something he knew would relax her. “No. I just wish…I need to find something…”

“Want to come teach with me?” Laura giggled at his snort.

“No. Don’t mind visiting and talking with the kids, but…” He shrugged. “I’ll figure it out. I’d like to work on the house, I do have a project in mind…”

“You do?” She looked up at him. “What?”

“Surprise for you.” Bill grinned at her. “You okay with that?”

“I trust you.” Laura tightened her grip on the tags. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t try to get the information out of you.”

“I would expect nothing less.” Bending down, he kissed her gently. “Want to think on it for a bit though.”

“Kay. Like it when you stroke through my hair.” Only slightly more than when she would run her fingers through his, something that she knew relaxed him as well as her. She sighed and settled against him, her eyes fluttering shut. “Sleep for just a few minutes.”

“You do that.” When she sighed again softly, her body relaxing into his, Bill smiled and pressed another kiss to the top of her head, his hand still gently rubbing her back. Something else they hadn’t had much opportunity for on Galactica was just time spent…resting. Without worrying about one or the other of them being called upon, or an attack…to just lie here, with her healthy and relaxed enough to nap because she wanted to, not because she had to, and without worrying that Saul would call any minute…He didn’t miss the calls, but he did miss his friend. And much as he hated to admit it, he missed Saul and Ellen the way they’d been…and even after finding out that they were both part of the final five…they’d still been his friends for a huge majority of his life. And now that there was no hope of resurrection, he wondered what would become of them. And the other Cylons. Was this Elysium for humans only, or was there hope if…as he remembered from the legends…perhaps some day…

“Bill.” Drowsily, Laura looked up at him. “Stop thinking. Relax.”

“Yes, Ma’am. Madame President.” As her eyes fluttered shut again, her lips curved up. “Relaxing.”

“Mean it.” She shifted slightly.

“I know.” Closing his eyes, he tightened his protective embrace. “Love you, Laura.”

“Love you, Bill.” Her faint whisper followed him as he followed her orders and…relaxed into the lazy darkness.