FIC: The Next Dance (10/14)
Under the lounge’s artificial stars, Laura said, “I assume that you think you’re needling me, or gaining some position,” her tone strong. “So let’s just cut right ahead in the action.
“The Admiral and I are friends, friends from being through experiences no one could have even dreamed of three years ago. I will not explain and certainly not apologize for that relationship--” her voice began to quaver and she cursed herself, “--One the few things that keeps me sane and functioning, to you, or anyone.”
“It doesn’t seem to be keeping you too sane right now,” Tom said mildly.
She grinned fiercely. “I’ve never been saner, Tom Zalek. Don’t forget that.”
“May I?” came from behind her, and large hands were steering her towards the floor before she could reply properly.
“Good evening, Doctor,” she said, trying to catch up with his strong lead.
“This dance is a hit, Madam President.”
“Please, call me Laura this evening,” she said, suddenly feeling wicked. He couldn’t very well smoke while dancing.
“Laura, I’m glad to see that you’re getting plenty of exercise tonight,” said Doctor Cottle, “Per my recommendations.”
“Dancing is very good for you, isn’t it?” she asked him as he whirled her around.
He abruptly changed the subject. “Have you told him?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said with her best political feigned ignorance tone.
Cottle was having none of it. “He should know.”
“Why?” she challenged him.
“Because it would make a difference.”
“And that’s exactly why I don’t want him to know,” Laura said. She patted his shoulder awkwardly. “I’ll tell him. I will. On my own schedule.”
“The same schedule that hasn’t found time to see me in the past week? It’ll be different this time; that first test could mean nothing, but the situation must be monitored--“
“I’ll make time later,” she said with vague insincerity.
Cottle blew out a frustrated huff. “I’m not the Quorum, Laura.”
She looked away from his worried eyes. “I will. And I’ll tell Bill when it’s necessary.”
“I know he’s not giving you much to work with these days, but I’ve served with Bill for a long time. Known him since the first Cylon War,” said the doctor. “He’s got a head like a rock.” Mixing his metaphors, he continued, “And when that stone gets rolling downhill, he’s unstoppable. You’ve got to throw something in his way.”
“Like what?” she said.
“If I may be plain old Sherman Cottle for a moment, that dress is a pretty good start.”
She laughed sharply, drawing glances. She said, “So I’m supposed to use my feminine wiles to lead William Adama to some great revelation as to his feelings? I’ve got news for you, Sherman. Bill knows exactly how he feels. And it doesn’t change what’s happening between us one damn bit.”
The doctor wasn’t going to back down. “Young lady, I’ve got eyes. That wasn’t a steel curtain around your Life Station bed. But he’s twisting you up inside, twisting himself, and as your physician, I can say it’s not doing either of you any good.”
“I’m not a teenager anymore,” she said. “I’m not going to ask you to pass him a note in Home Room, saying I’ll kiss him behind the gym after class. We’re adults--“
He nodded at the room. “Are these the actions of a mature woman?”
Laura laughed again, this time husky and intimate, as she gave him a sly, slightly embarrassed glance. He gulped and stared over at Adama on the edge of the dance floor, as though willing him to cut in. All the Admiral did was shrug.
“Well, I admit, I was feeling a bit irritated and decided to blow off some steam.” The music slowed. Her words did too. “But now...I just feel...tired.” She stopped dancing and he looked at her with concern.
“You should sit down,” he said.
She shook her head. “No, I’m not going to sit down until I have to.” Her smile sparked. “Thank you for the dance, Doctor.”
Defeated, he said, “The pleasure was all mine.”
Laura’s smile was gone. “And I hope you will keep my confidence, as you have in the past.”
Cottle tipped an imaginary hat to her, and strolled away, shaking his head.
Next>>>
“The Admiral and I are friends, friends from being through experiences no one could have even dreamed of three years ago. I will not explain and certainly not apologize for that relationship--” her voice began to quaver and she cursed herself, “--One the few things that keeps me sane and functioning, to you, or anyone.”
“It doesn’t seem to be keeping you too sane right now,” Tom said mildly.
She grinned fiercely. “I’ve never been saner, Tom Zalek. Don’t forget that.”
“May I?” came from behind her, and large hands were steering her towards the floor before she could reply properly.
“Good evening, Doctor,” she said, trying to catch up with his strong lead.
“This dance is a hit, Madam President.”
“Please, call me Laura this evening,” she said, suddenly feeling wicked. He couldn’t very well smoke while dancing.
“Laura, I’m glad to see that you’re getting plenty of exercise tonight,” said Doctor Cottle, “Per my recommendations.”
“Dancing is very good for you, isn’t it?” she asked him as he whirled her around.
He abruptly changed the subject. “Have you told him?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said with her best political feigned ignorance tone.
Cottle was having none of it. “He should know.”
“Why?” she challenged him.
“Because it would make a difference.”
“And that’s exactly why I don’t want him to know,” Laura said. She patted his shoulder awkwardly. “I’ll tell him. I will. On my own schedule.”
“The same schedule that hasn’t found time to see me in the past week? It’ll be different this time; that first test could mean nothing, but the situation must be monitored--“
“I’ll make time later,” she said with vague insincerity.
Cottle blew out a frustrated huff. “I’m not the Quorum, Laura.”
She looked away from his worried eyes. “I will. And I’ll tell Bill when it’s necessary.”
“I know he’s not giving you much to work with these days, but I’ve served with Bill for a long time. Known him since the first Cylon War,” said the doctor. “He’s got a head like a rock.” Mixing his metaphors, he continued, “And when that stone gets rolling downhill, he’s unstoppable. You’ve got to throw something in his way.”
“Like what?” she said.
“If I may be plain old Sherman Cottle for a moment, that dress is a pretty good start.”
She laughed sharply, drawing glances. She said, “So I’m supposed to use my feminine wiles to lead William Adama to some great revelation as to his feelings? I’ve got news for you, Sherman. Bill knows exactly how he feels. And it doesn’t change what’s happening between us one damn bit.”
The doctor wasn’t going to back down. “Young lady, I’ve got eyes. That wasn’t a steel curtain around your Life Station bed. But he’s twisting you up inside, twisting himself, and as your physician, I can say it’s not doing either of you any good.”
“I’m not a teenager anymore,” she said. “I’m not going to ask you to pass him a note in Home Room, saying I’ll kiss him behind the gym after class. We’re adults--“
He nodded at the room. “Are these the actions of a mature woman?”
Laura laughed again, this time husky and intimate, as she gave him a sly, slightly embarrassed glance. He gulped and stared over at Adama on the edge of the dance floor, as though willing him to cut in. All the Admiral did was shrug.
“Well, I admit, I was feeling a bit irritated and decided to blow off some steam.” The music slowed. Her words did too. “But now...I just feel...tired.” She stopped dancing and he looked at her with concern.
“You should sit down,” he said.
She shook her head. “No, I’m not going to sit down until I have to.” Her smile sparked. “Thank you for the dance, Doctor.”
Defeated, he said, “The pleasure was all mine.”
Laura’s smile was gone. “And I hope you will keep my confidence, as you have in the past.”
Cottle tipped an imaginary hat to her, and strolled away, shaking his head.
Next>>>