I Know That Look

“I know that look isn’t about fuel reallocation reports.” Adama’s voice rumbled above the soft music he’d put on when they’d started working on reports some time ago.

“Hmm?” Laura blinked and glanced at him. “What?”

He chuckled, his report dropping to his lap. “I said, there’s no way that look could be about the fuel report you’re supposed to be reviewing.”

She laughed softly. “I suppose not.” Closing the folder, she tossed it onto the table next to the couch. “No matter how I look at it, the numbers don’t change.”

“Not until we find another source.” Standing, he picked up her report, carrying both to the desk. “Drink?”

“Please.” Taking her glasses off, Laura shifted her weight, angling her body so that when he returned and sank down onto the couch, they were facing each other. “Thank you.”

“To…whatever you were fantasizing about.” He lifted his glass toward her.

“Thinking about.” She corrected, touching her glass to his. When he simply lifted an eyebrow, contradicting her, Laura sighed. “Whatever.”

Chuckling, he took a swallow. “So?”

”We’re meeting about fuel reallocation, Admiral.” Sliding her glasses back on, she sipped her drink.

“Reports are on the table…Madame President.” Waiting her out, he reached out and traced the hem of her skirt, his finger running along the bare skin of her thigh. “Not over here.”

“Only because we both know what’s in them, sir.” Propping her elbow on the back of the couch, she rested her head against her hand.

“Indeed we do.” His hand gliding around the back of her leg, he tugged until she relented and unfolded her legs so they lay across his lap. “Cold?”

“No.” She took another sip of the drink as he ran his hands along her legs, gently massaging her muscles as he did. “Warm?”

“No.” He continued the gentle movements. “So?”

“No.” Laura laughed softly. “It was fuel reallocation…”

“Bull.” Unexpectedly, he tugged her legs, pulling her off balance so she was now reclining on the couch. “Don’t spill your drink.”

“Don’t push me around.” Raising her head, she drained the glass and reached blindly behind her, placing it on the table she knew was somewhere past the arm of the couch that her head was now lying on. “Bully.”

“Liar.” Mimicking her movement and draining his glass, he leaned over her to place his glass next to hers. Once again tracing designs along her bare thighs with his finger, he grinned. “Tell me.”

“Bill…” As his fingers pushed her skirt hem slightly higher, she sighed. “It was a spare thought, nothing more.”

“About fuel reallocation?” Sliding one hand up her side, he leaned over her as she reached up and curled a hand around his neck.

“Mmm hmm.” Pulling him down to her, she kissed him gently. “I need to go.”

“I know.” Regretfully, he brushed her hair off her face and gazed down at her. “Call me when you get there?”

“I am not having phone sex with you again, Admiral.” Her lips curved up in amusement. “I don’t care if you say it’s a secure line….”

“That’s what you said last time.” He kissed her gently. “And the time before that.”

“Well, this time I mean it.” Her fingers toying with his hair, she sighed. “Since you have a shift in CIC.”

“Frak.” He groaned, having forgotten about his shift.

“You need a Tory.” Laura smiled smugly. As if on cue, there was a knock on the hatch, followed by her aides voice. “See?”

“Don’t threaten me.” With a final quick kiss, he let her sit up, her legs swinging to the ground as he stood and crossed the room to open the hatch. “Miss Foster.”

“Admiral, Madame President.” She nodded. “The raptor is standing by to return to Colonial One. And the Vice President is en route to meet you there as well.”

“Of course he is.” Adama muttered under his breath, earning a frown from both women.

“Thank you Tory.” Laura glanced up with a smile as she closed her briefcase. “Admiral, we’ll finish the discussion on the reallocation tomorrow.”

”I’m sure we will.” He took the briefcase from her and gestured to the door. As she stepped through, he handed the case to one of her escorts. “I’ll speak to you then.”

“Hmm.” She smiled at him and spared him a slight wink, hidden from the others by her hair as she turned in his direction. “I’ll look forward to it.” Returning her attention to Tory, she nodded, “shall we?”

“Here are the most recent briefings…” Tory handed Laura a folder as they moved down the corridor, their voices fading.

Several hours later, Adama glanced up at Duella’s voice. “Yes?”

“Yes sir, Colonial One is requesting a secure line with you.” She paused, waiting for his response.

“Patch them through.” Picking up the handset, he waited for the click that indicated the scrambler. “Go for Galactica, secure line.”

“Hello Admiral.” Laura’s voice purred in his ear.

“Madame President.” He glanced up and moved a slight step farther from Gaeta. “You had a question?”

“Hmm.” She smiled, tucking her legs under her. “Just wanted to call and say goodnight…”

”I see.” He glanced around the CIC again, noting no one was paying attention to him. “Likewise.”

“People in earshot?” Her voice was teasing now, “oh, that’s right…you’re in the CIC.”

“A fact that I’m sure didn’t escape your mind.” He retorted dryly.

“Oh, you know how it is when you’re getting ready for bed.” Laura sighed. “You take off the mantle of your office, as well as your clothes and, well, forget things. Like shedding all your inhibitions.”

“I see.” He cleared his throat. “Well, Madam President, I’d like to continue this discussion, but will be at CIC for the remainder of the watch.”

“Pity.” She laughed softly, ending in a soft hmm. “I’ve shed all sorts of things.”

“However, I can arrange to meet you in the morning, prior to your Quorum meeting?” Bill’s eyes wandered CIC, hoping his statement sounded innocuous enough.

“I can tell you what I was thinking about then.” Laura sighed. “But, it did involve a fantasy about a snowy morning, a hot tub…lack of clothing…my hair was pinned up until you released it…”

”That sounds like something I’d like to discuss.” He swallowed as she giggled.

“I’m sure.” A soft sound whispered across the line followed by her sigh. “Actually, I’m really still at my desk, and I did need to speak with you about something.”

“Go ahead.” Sensing her change of mood, Bill straightened, looking across the room.

“Do you have a pilot that you could spare to captain the Kimba Huta for a few days?” She glanced at the notes she’d made.

“I believe we have several that would be able to handle the ship. Is there a particular reason why?” Moving to a computer, he pulled up a list.

“A good reason this time. The Captain’s daughter is about to give birth to his first granddaughter.” Leaning back in her chair, Laura smiled, “he’s requested that he be able to spend some time with her.”

“Really.” Bill scanned the list, his finger resting on a name. “I believe it’s doable. I’ll check with the CAG and let you know at our meeting.”

“Ah yes, in the morning.” Laura replaced the file on her desk and stood. “I’ll see you then Admiral. Feel free to give me a call if you have any other questions about the Kimba Huta before that. I’ve dismissed Tory for the evening, but calls from Galactica can be routed directly to me.”

“I can appreciate that.” His lips twitched. “Until tomorrow, Madam President.”

“Until tomorrow, Admiral,” Laura paused and laughed softly, “sir.”