FIC: Every Man Must Choose His Way, part 2

[lls_mutant]

The Three called herself Leah. She looked up as Billy walked past her office and into his own. He smiled awkwardly at her, nodding. She blinked at him and then looked back down to her own work.

He and Felix hadn't actually done anything, but as Billy sat down, his stomach twisted with nerves. Up until last night, this had all been a vague mass of plans. Now it was real. He was an inside man. A spy. A double agent.

Or he would be, if he could get his hands on anything important.

He began to sift through the papers that were on his desk. Rations orders, plans for residential structures, the schedules for the New Caprica Police that the Cylons had formed… his hand hesitated on this last one. Schedules.

He pulled out a piece of paper and began to make notes. Then he hesitated, realizing that if the message was intercepted, the Cylons would know his handwriting. He sighed, and crumpled the paper. Then smoothed it back out, and tore it up into small pieces.

A photocopy would make the most sense. But Billy never used the photocopier; Leah was meant to do that for him. And he couldn't explain to her… definitely not.

He slipped the New Caprica Police training schedule into a pile of papers, and slipped them into a folder. He checked his watch and stepped out of his office.

"I have a meeting with Mr. Gaeta," he told Leah.

She looked at him. "I haven't heard of it," she said.

Billy kept his gaze even. "We were discussing it last night when I returned a book to him."

"A book?" Leah raised an eyebrow, and Billy flushed. Leah smirked, and Billy realized what she had extrapolated from that.

"A book," Billy said, his ears turning red. Leah's smirk actually gentled a little into something like a smile, and she let him go without any comment. He hurried towards Felix's office, folder in hand.

He was in luck. Felix was sitting in his office, writing something with angry, precise motions. He stepped in and shut the door. Felix looked up irritably, and then softened a bit when he saw Billy. "What is it?"

"I've got some papers for you," Billy said. He lowered his voice. "I need copies." He didn’t say of which ones, but he figured that Felix would figure it out.

Felix nodded. "I can do that for you, Mr. Vice President," he said formally.

There were voices outside the door. Billy and Felix exchanged glances, and Felix tilted his head at the door. "You can't be seen here too often," he mouthed.

Billy shook his head. "I've got an idea," he mouthed back. The voices were getting louder- a One, and Gaius Baltar. The door handle began to turn, and Billy lurched forward, grabbing the back of Felix's head and pulling him into a surprised, awkward, close-mouthed kiss just as the door opened.

"Oh, excuse me," Baltar said, backing up. He looked something between condescending and pleased. "I didn't realize we were interrupting."

"No." Billy straightened up. "I was just… we were…."

"Oh, there's no need to be all prudish about it." The One rolled his eyes. "Mr. Gaeta, you can stop looking like a dying cow. We're not going to drag you out into the street and shoot you for swapping spit with the Vice President."

"Sorry, sir," Gaeta managed.

"Good. Now that that piece of ridiculousness is settled, let's get to the point, shall we? Have a seat," Cavil ordered Billy, gesturing to the chair in the corner of Felix's tiny office. Billy glanced at Baltar, but he wouldn't meet his eyes. This wasn't good. He obeyed and sat in the chair.

"The Cylons aren't happy with how this settlement is evolving," Cavil said. "The great peace that some of our sisters were picturing isn't just magically happening- imagine that. So we've decided it's time for some stricter measures."

"Stricter measures?" Billy said, trying to sound firm but not sure that he did.

"Earlier curfew, a new rationing system, imprisonment for resistance activities… Baltar, you can give them all of the details. It's all really very mundane; I'm sure two smart boys like yourselves won't have any trouble figuring it out."

"Yes, sir," Felix said evenly.

"The message has to come through, loud and clear."

"Work together for a better tomorrow, sir?" Billy asked.

"Well, I was thinking more like 'fall in line or suffer the consequences,' but sure, if you want to candy-coat it, you can do that." The One clapped his hands together and turned to Baltar. "Now that that's settled, I'll leave you to relay the instructions to Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum here. Make sure they're clear on it, all right? "

"I'm quite sure we can accomplish that," Baltar said, and Billy had the impression Baltar was just as eager as they were to get rid of the One. "Don't let us keep you from whatever important business that you have."

"Watch yourself, Baltar. You're not that useful to us," the One warned. He glared at Felix and Billy as well, but then departed.

"Well," Baltar said, clapping his hands together and putting on a big fake smile. "That's a little more comfortable, isn't it? I must say, the Ones do unnerve me a bit."

"Just tell us what we need to know, Gaius," Felix said, his voice a lot angrier now that the One was gone.

"Well, yes. See, the Cylons are… not happy, I guess, with the way that this new dream of theirs is shaping up."

"Should they be?" Felix demanded.

"Felix, it's not that I want them here! Don't you see that? But they are here, and they do hold a tactical advantage over us, and life would improve greatly if everyone would just cooperate with them!"

"Whatever, sir," Felix sighed. "Just tell us what's happening."

As Baltar began to outline the new restrictions, Billy watched Felix from the corner of his eye. Felix kept eye contact with Baltar and a bland expression on his face, but Billy noticed that his hands were clenching and unclenching, and that his knee was shaking. It was probably the least composed that Billy had ever seen Felix in their entire friendship.

"So, Mr. Gaeta," Baltar's tone had switched from defensive to superior by this point, "you'll be in charge of writing up the changes and notifying the population. Mr. Keikeya, you need to form a board that can oversee the implementation. The Three that you work with- Leah, I believe?- will help you with this."

He smiled anxiously at them both, and Billy looked at Felix again. Felix didn't turn to meet his eyes. Instead, he was staring at the President through narrowed slits, obviously unhappy. But Baltar ignored it. "I know I can rely on you both," he said, and as he left the room, he added, "if I can't, I'm sure that we can find… alternative arrangements." Billy winced as the threat rang clear.

"You okay?" he asked Felix after the door shut.

Felix stared at the closed door for a long moment and then shook himself. "Yeah," he said finally. "Yeah," he repeated with more sureness. He turned to Billy. "By the way, brilliant idea for a cover, there. They both fell for it hook, line, and sinker."

Billy smiled tentatively. "You didn't mind?"

Felix snorted and waved a hand. "Only that I didn't think of it myself. It's perfect." He sighed. "It's nice to be pulling the wool over someone else's eyes for a change. It's just too bad…" he shook his head. "Never mind. I'll make the copies you wanted, and then I'll come over tonight."

"Sounds good," Billy said. He looked down at the notes he'd taken during the meeting. "Suppose I'd better get back to helping oppress and enslave our people," he said wryly. "Do they really think they're fooling anyone?"

Felix shrugged. "Themselves, I suppose. See you tonight."

"Right. See you tonight."

***

The huddled in Billy's tent, the wind whipping through the empty streets outside. "All right," Felix said, "we got something worth getting. The next question is who do we give it to?"

"Laura Roslin," Billy said immediately. "There is absolutely no way she's not in the Resistance."

Felix shook his head. "Bad idea," he said.

"Why?" Billy asked, more curious than offended.

"For one," Felix said, ticking the points off on his fingers, "she's too high profile. Of course she's in the Resistance, and Gaius and the Cylons know it, too. Two, she won't believe you right away. She'll think you're trying to get back in her good graces. And three, whoever we give this information to, they can't know who we are and we can't know who they are."

Billy made a face. "I get the point of that," he said finally "It is dangerous. But how the frak are we supposed to manage that?"

"We need help," Felix sighed. "We need someone to help us set up a dead drop. Someone in the Resistance who would trust us, and that we can trust. Or someone who we can pay enough to not look into an envelope, anyway."

"Cottle?" Billy suggested.

"Not Cottle," Felix sighed. "He's too valuable. We can't get him entangled in this in any way."

They went through a list of names, but no one seemed quite right.

"I can't believe this," Billy muttered. "After all this time, we finally get something, and we can't hand it off. What's the point?"

"And what's the point if we get turned in on our very first try?" Felix asked. "After this, it will get easier."

"No it won't," Billy said. "It's only going to get harder."

Felix made a face and looked away. "Right. But we'll come up with something."

"We will," Billy agreed, and wished that they could come up with something now.

***

Mark McGee was exactly what Felix needed. He was a good sort; Felix knew him from working on the water reclamation plant. He hated the Cylons and wanted nothing to do with them, thanks to a dead wife and son. But at the same time, he wasn't Resistance; of that, Felix was sure. He wouldn't risk his daughter, who was currently in the Cylon detention center.

"It's a simple matter," Felix said, leaning forward. He was sitting in Mark's tent, only because of his position and Mark not wanting to be picked up by the Cylons. There was a sealed envelope on the table between them. "I need this to get to someone in the Resistance." He tapped the envelope.

"Why should I do this for you?"

"I'll tell you if you accept my conditions."

Mark regarded him sharply. "What conditions?"

"One. You don't join the Resistance, and you don't join the Cylons. You just lay low, and you just keep going. Two. If your dog's bowl is upside down, you don't touch it. Three. You never speak of this again, no matter what the circumstances." Mark waited, but that was it.

"Let me get this straight. I get this to someone who I'm positive is in the Resistance, and then I don't do a damn thing but not turn by dog's bowl over if it's upside down?"

"That's right."

"And what are you going to do for me?"

"Rachel is in the Cylon detention center, and it's for breaking curfew. I'll get her out."

Mark glared at him. "Shouldn't need to do anything to have that happen," he muttered. "A real man would get her out no matter what."

"In a real world, I'd be able to trust most people. I can't. I need to be sure that you've got a damn good reason not to sell me out."

Mark picked up the envelope. "What's in this, anyway?"

"I'm not telling you. It won't explode."

He tapped the envelope against the table. "And it won't get who I give it to in trouble?"

"I won't even know who you give it to."

"And you'll get Rachel out?"

"I'll do everything in my power."

Mark nodded. "All right. I'll do it."

***

"Leah."

The Three looked up. Billy swallowed hard. "Yes?" she said.

He tried to remind himself that she was his assistant, but they both knew the truth. Warden was a more accurate description, he thought sourly. "I was wondering who I could go to in order to review a prisoner file, and actually get results?"

Her expression became very guarded. "You know that Tom Zarek is on a restricted list."

"I know," Billy said, and amazingly, his voice stayed completely even. He would not let them see how much Zarek's imprisonment bothered him. "She's not a high-security prisoner."

Leah cocked her head. "Who is it?"

"Rachael McGee. She's a teenager that was out after curfew." He put the file down in front of Leah, and realized that his heart was pounding so loudly she could probably hear it.

Leah picked up the file and opened it up, and then her brow furrowed. "She's fifteen."

"Yes."

"That's extremely young, isn't it?"

Billy tried not to think of what might be happening to that poor girl. "It's the age of adulthood on some of the Colonies," he said. "But yes. It is very young."

Leah nodded and closed the file. "I'll talk to a One," she said. "I'll see if something can be done."

"Thank you." Billy smiled at her.

She smiled back. "Mr. Keikaya?" she said.

"Yes?"

"Is it fair to assume that you will be having more… meetings… with Mr. Gaeta in the future?"

Billy flushed, and nodded. "Yeah. I guess."

Leah snorted. "I told them," she said smugly. "Given that you just won me a pair of shoes off a Six, I'll do what I can about this file."

"Shoes?" Billy asked, baffled.

She laughed. "Shoes."

"Why shoes?"

"Don't you know anything about women?"

The memory shot through him, painful despite the distance. "Apparently not," he said, looking away. He remembered where he was and what he was doing, and forced a smile. "And these days, I don't need to, right?"

"Well, maybe you can help me understand human men," she said. "I'll report back to you when I find something out."

"Thank you." He smiled awkwardly at her once more, and then retreated into his own office. He closed the door gently, and then flopped into his chair in relief.

This might actually work.

***

It was late when Billy slipped into Felix's tent. "Well?" he asked, unwinding the scarf from around his neck. "How did it go?"

Felix brandished a message. All it said was Contact made. Understood. "We're in business," he said.

"Fantastic." Billy flopped down onto the bed, the only place Felix had to sit besides the chair he was sitting on. "Leah talked to a One, and they agreed to release Rachel McGee in two days."

"You're kidding," Felix said. "That's…"

"Well, she wasn't picked up for much," Billy cautioned. He knew that hope that was flaring on Felix's face- he felt it, too. "We've got to be careful. Rachel was one of those cases where there genuinely was no reason to be holding her, and she was young. Leah seemed to have some compassion for her for that."

"But still…" Felix mused. "If she's willing, we could ask about some of the others. Not people picked up for violence," he added hastily. "They'll catch on if we do that. But older people, or younger, or people who just had bad luck…."

"Let's wait and make sure they actually release Rachel, first," Billy warned. "And let's get the information going. Like you keep telling me, we can't risk everything by rushing too much."

Felix nodded, deflating. Billy hated to do that, but he knew Felix, and for once, Felix couldn't afford to believe the best about people, and he would if he was given half a chance. He decided to change the subject. "When are you going to take the schedules to the dead drop?"

Felix glanced at his watch. "In an hour. Stay here and make sure I get back all right?"

"I can do that."

Felix had a lamp, but other than that, he got his light from a few candles. They made the tent look warmer, and Billy found that sitting on Felix's bed, he felt like he was back in high school a little bit, planning debate strategies with his best friend.

Best friend.

Felix smiled over at him, and Billy realized that that was exactly what they were now.

Leah was going to get Rachel out, they got a dead drop set up, they were going to start passing information to the Resistance, and he had his first best friend since… gods knew when. Billy had never thought he'd have a day on New Caprica that was this good again.

***

There was a knock on his office door. Billy scrubbed his face with his hands and looked up. "Come in," he said wearily.

The door opened, and Leah slipped in. "I have those requisitions for you to sign," she said neutrally.

"Thank you," he muttered, not really wanting to thank her at all. He didn't even want to know what was on those papers. "They can go right there."

"I need them in half an hour."

"Of course." She turned around and shut the door, and Billy looked up with greater interest. "What's going on?" he asked.

"I did some research into Rachel McGee," Leah said. Without asking, she pulled the spare chair over closer to his desk, so they could talk more quietly. "And you were right. She was a fifteen year old girl who had been held for three weeks for breaking curfew, and I don't even want to think…" she shuddered. "I went in to see her myself, and when I saw her, I cried. The conditions… I didn't realize that my people were doing that to people who didn't deserve it. The punishment was far too excessive for the crime."

Billy remembered the reported D'Anna Biers, and her hard, professional face. He couldn't imagine her saying anything like this. And yet, Leah, for all that she was a carbon copy but with red hair, seemed to genuinely mean what she said. He swallowed and nodded.

"I got her out," Leah said.

His eyes widened. "You were able to?"

Leah nodded. "And that's what I wanted to talk to you about. Doing this… it was a real eye-opener for me. I saw what my own people are doing, and it breaks my heart. This wasn't what we intended. I'd like to help you get others out. Others who are being treated too severely. I know they're in there."

She voted for your extinction, Billy reminded himself firmly. She might be sitting here crying, but she's still a Cylon. Don't trust her. But even as he thought it, he fought against it. After all, she was saying exactly what he wanted to hear. He pulled out a handkerchief for her and handed it to her.

"What about forming a subcommittee?" he asked cautiously. "Something where we could review the cases, and get the approval of the other Cylons?"

"It won't work," she insisted. "At one time it might have, when it was so easy to convince each other and agree. But now… we argue too much. The people that don't deserve in there will sit and suffer as the Cylons debate."

He couldn't deny that; he'd been in government far too long. "Let me think about it," he told her. "And let me get a few names."

Leah nodded. "All right." She dried her face with his handkerchief and handed it back, and then took a deep breath. "Can you tell I've been crying?" she asked.

"No," he lied.

She smiled. "Good." She stood up. "I'd better get back to work, and so had you. We need those forms in less than a half-hour now."

"All right." He watched her leave. "Leah?" he said, as she was at the door. She turned. "Thank you."

Leah smiled. "You're welcome."

***

"What do you think?" Billy asked Felix. "I'm crazy for even considering it, right?"

Felix thought about it. "I don't know," he said slowly. He was trying to think, but his mind was already five steps ahead, rushing to the possibilities. "I mean, look. Boomer and Caprica, they really believe in this new idea. And they said they managed to convince the other Cylons." He sighed. "It's not inconceivable that they might have truly convinced some of them, right?"

"You really want to believe her," Billy observed dryly.

"Don't you?" Felix asked, his own smile wry.

"I do," Billy admitted. "But what if we're wrong?"

"We'll just give her a few names at first," Felix suggested. "And then, when we see that we can trust her, we'll give her more."

Billy nodded. "And what about information?" he asked.

To his surprise, Felix's face hardened. "No," he said firmly. "That we do ourselves."

"Good," Billy said. Felix's firmness on that matter made him fight down the impression that Felix was seeing what he wanted to see, not what was really there. Billy was sure that they could do this, but reminded himself that there were going to be times that he was going to have to be the level headed one of the two of them. Although there was a time that being more level-headed than Felix Gaeta would have struck him as ridiculous.

Funny how things changed.

***

The coordinate system had taken Felix three days to work out, but both he and Billy agreed that it was vital that the Resistance had this information. He was conscious of it as he walked to the dead drop, the packet in his breast pocket.

The sun was about to set, washing the New Caprica horizon with pale pinks and oranges. Felix barely noticed it, he was so nervous. He tried to look casual as he walked through the streets. His coat collar was turned up, partly against the wind, but also so it would hide his face, and the hat he wore served the same dual purpose of warmth and camouflage. It was well before curfew, he was inconspicuous, and no one on either side had the first idea of what he was doing. He shouldn't be so nervous.

He put the message in the designated drawer and flipped the dog's bowl. The dog- Jake, Mark had told him- whined up at him so pathetically that Felix had to kneel down and scratch the poor thing's ears.

"Mr. Gaeta."

The voice was low, but it made Felix jump anyway. He turned, expecting the worst. But it was only Mark, standing in the door of his tent, his arm around a young girl wrapped in a patched coat. "Thank you," Mark said.

Felix nodded gravely.

Mark smiled at him one more time. The girl might have, but it was impossible to tell with her scarf over her face. Felix thought that she might not have. But they both disappeared into the tent, leaving him alone to do whatever he had come to do in secrecy and peace. Felix breathed out heavily. Whatever else happened, Mark wasn't going to betray them. One piece of luck.

He gave Jake a final pat and stood back up, shoving his hands in his pockets. If he hurried, he could stop by the market and pick up some coffee before Billy came over for the night.

He whistled as he walked away.

***

Felix was rummaging through the memos that he was supposed to be typing for Gaius, looking for anything that might be helpful. The contact from the Resistance had been begging for the Cylon jamming frequencies, but so far he had nothing.

Gaius came into the office, lazy and unwashed. Felix looked down at the desk. "Good morning, Mr. President," he said.

"Morning," Gaius snorted. "Is it still morning?"

"Technically, yes," Felix said.

Gaius sat down in his chair, rubbing his temples. "What did you do last night, Felix?"

"I was with Billy," Felix said easily.

"Ah, yes. Billy. The Vice President. A substitute in more than one way, isn't he?"

"What do you mean?" Felix asked. He glanced up, noticing that Caprica Six was standing in the door. He looked back down.

Gaius didn't answer. He leaned back in his chair, his hair flopping down the back. "You know," he said conversationally, "Billy isn't the type I'd think you'd go for."

"No?" Felix said neutrally. "Shows how well you know me."

"You're too much alike," Gaius said. Now he was swiveling in his chair, still staring at the ceiling. Felix glanced over at Caprica, but she wasn't watching him; she was watching Gaius. Gaius didn't notice. "Honestly," he said. "You should be with someone who complements you. Someone who balances you."

"Oh?" Felix managed to keep a straight face.

"I could introduce you to someone. Someone… sweet."

"That's really not necessary." Felix sighed. "Mr. President, I need the authorization forms for the LE-729 task force."

"You really ought to consider it," Gaius said, ignoring Felix entirely. "I know that you're lonely."

"I'm fine," Felix snapped. "Can we please focus on what needs to be done to keep this settlement and your great society running?"

"He's right, Gaius," Caprica Six said, and Felix ignored her.

Gaius sighed heavily. "Fine," he said. "Let me see those forms."

Felix handed them over. Gaius signed them hurriedly and then handed them back. "Take them over to the detention ministry," he ordered. "They needed to be there yesterday."

"I know," Felix muttered, and then said, "yes, sir," more loudly. He glanced over Gaius's shoulder, and saw something that looked like a schematic. The letters NCP were across the top. He pulled back, marking the place on Gaius's desk in his memory as he took the forms.

"I'll be back in time for the Quorum meeting," he told Gaius, glancing at his watch.

"You'd better be. We need to start discussing the NCP graduation."

"Yes, sir." Felix glanced once more at Gaius's desk, and then headed out the door.

He didn't exactly relish heading over to the Cylon detention complex; the sight made him sick. But he did appreciate being out in the fresh air, and away from Gaius and the constant presence of the Cylons. He walked quickly, breathing deeply. The cold air felt good in his lungs; no matter how miserable New Caprica was, he did relish the air.

The detention center came into sight- a massive, gray concrete building originally meant to be an apartment complex, surrounded by fences, twirled barbed wire, and watch posts. He cringed, wondering about the people inside. How many of them did he know? He didn't want to think of it.

A Centurion looked at him. "I'm here with the authorization forms from the President," Felix told it. The Centurion nodded and stepped aside, and Felix entered.

The detention center was oddly quiet, the silence broken only by footsteps, soft voices, and the muffled sound of sobbing far off in the distance. Felix stepped into an office, looking around him curiously despite himself. Colonial One was still very much as it had been when they landed, still designed and lived in by humans. This office was Cylon through and through, with red light, drawers against the walls, and shapes that Felix simply didn't understand.

There was what looked like a trough in the center of the room, and several Cylons stood around it, their hands in the water. They were talking quietly, but nothing that he could hear made any sense to Felix. He stood quietly, but no one seemed to notice him. Finally, he cleared his throat.

An Eight turned. "I'm sorry," she said, coming over, "have you been waiting long?"

"Not too long," Felix answered, wishing desperately that he had the first clue of how to use any of this equipment.

She noticed his interest and smiled at him. "Would you like me to show you around a little?" she said.

"I…"

"I know you were the tactical officer on Galactica," the Eight said. "Boomer told us that you had a great interest in computers."

Felix thought of Leah, and all the help she'd been able to give him and Billy. He thought of the jamming frequencies that their contact had been asking for and how they'd been unable to get them. "That would be great," he said, "if you don't mind."

"Of course not." The Eight took the papers from him. And for the next half-hour, she showed him the basics of the Cylon operation system.

Despite his hatred of the Cylons, Felix had to admit the system was fascinating. He wasn't foolish enough to think that the Eight showed him anything of importance, but he filed it all away anyway, hoping that it might help pieces fall into place later.

"You really are interested in this, aren’t you?" the Eight asked, smiling with amusement as Felix studied the console.

"Well, like Boomer said, I like computers," Felix admitted.

The Eight smiled and ducked her head, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "It's nice to actually have a human interested," she said. "It gives me hope that we can make New Caprica work."

"Right," Felix said. He thought of what was happening just outside that office. New Caprica was never going to work, and it never should. "Well, thanks for showing me around," he said. "I need to get back to Colonial One."

"Of course," she said, stepping aside. As he left, she put a hand on his arm. "I have to be over there tomorrow," she said. "Perhaps I could catch up with you again?"

"I'll be there," Felix said noncommittally.

He thought of the Eight as he walked back to Colonial One. Was it possible that she might be like Leah, willing to help them in an effort to make New Caprica "work"? He'd discuss it with Billy that night; they had a public "date", and he could bring it up then, or afterwards.

With a sigh, he re-entered Colonial One, reminding himself to excuse himself during the Quorum meeting so he could get a good look at Gaius's desk.

***

"You really think she'd help us?" Billy asked Felix as they sat in the bar. It was crowded that night. There was a band playing, and the tables had been pushed aside to make room for a makeshift dance floor. The music was a perfect cover for their voices.

"I don't know, yet," Felix said. "It's not something I'd ask right away, you know? But it might be worth cultivating a friendship."

Billy nodded. "If nothing else, maybe you can get a little more information out of her," he said. "If she works in the detention ministry. This is the closest we've gotten to having any sort of contact there."

"Yeah." Felix sipped his drink, and studied the dance floor. It was crowded with people who hated their guts. He cringed. "I don't know how much we can get out of her, but…"

"Right. Worth trying. Hey- slow dance."

"Oh. Right. Come on."

Billy laced his fingers through Felix's, and they took to the dance floor. A few couples moved aside marginally, although most of them did their best to ignore them. Neither of them were good dancers- even a slow dance highlighted that as they kept stepping on each other's toes- but it was enough to keep their ruse alive.

They moved together, chest to chest, Felix's hand on Billy's shoulder and Billy's hand on Felix's waist. "It's kind of nice," Felix said suddenly.

"What is?" Billy asked.

Felix leaned closer. "Dancing with a friend," he said, so only Billy could hear him.

Billy smiled at him. "Yeah," he agreed. "It is."

Felix laid his head against Billy's shoulder. It was meant to look romantic, for the benefit of everyone else, but there was something else there. A need for camaraderie, for closeness, and an intense loneliness. Billy squeezed his hand in comfort. No wonder Felix was even considering trying to get this Eight to help them. She was probably the first one that had spoken nicely to him all week.

He brought it up again as they walked back to Felix's tent. "So are you going to meet up with her tomorrow?" he asked.

"It's worth a try, don't you think?" Felix asked uncertainly.

"Definitely worth a try," Billy agreed.

***

The alarm went off. Felix groaned and smacked it, and then glanced down at the ground. Billy was still nestled deep in the nest of blankets and rugs, still sound asleep. Felix sighed and sat up, scrubbing at his face with his hands, and then padded over to make coffee.

The Eight. Felix had been thinking about her all night. There was something about the way she spoke to him… something genuine. Something that reminded him of Boomer. And Boomer… of all the Cylons, Boomer was the only one that Felix came close to trusting. Boomer meant what she was saying about living in peace, Felix could see that in her eyes. And from what Billy said about Cylon communication, it seemed most likely that Boomer would be able to convince her own model line of her point of view first.

The more he thought about it, the more he thought that getting to know this Eight would be a good idea. And maybe, if they were really lucky, she'd help them like Leah was helping. Leah had managed to get twelve people out of detention so far, and find out the status of eighteen more. It gave both Billy and Felix hope. If they had two Cylons helping them…

Felix smiled and put the coffee on.

***

The force of the explosion knocked Billy to the ground. He covered his head as debris flew around him, dust and sand and pieces of who knew what else. He waited, listening to the screams, and counted to ten. Then to twenty. Nothing happened, and he clambered slowly to his feet.

The marketplace was in chaos. Humans were running, genuinely terrified, and the Cylons were desperately trying to keep order. Billy noticed several Centurions and at least four skinjobs lying on the ground, in bits and pieces. He smiled savagely.

Someone fell against him, and he turned to catch them automatically. He almost regretted it when he saw who it was.

"Laura," he said, steadying her. "Are you all right?"

Laura pulled away from him like he'd been pawing her. "I'm fine," she said shortly.

"It's just…"

"You don't need to concern yourself about me, Billy," she said coldly. "Believe me."

He bit his lip. I'm helping, he wanted to tell her. I've been helping for over a month now. I thought you knew me well enough that you'd come up with that idea on your own. But he couldn't say it, and he knew it.

Instead, he cleared his throat. "I heard that one of your students was picked up for chasing a ball into a restricted zone," he said. "Was he released?"

Laura narrowed her eyes. "After a week of trying to petition any office I could, yes. Two days ago."

Billy tried not to let his relief show on his face. Leah had told him she'd gotten him out two days ago, but he hadn't seen the boy since. He'd believed her, but he always felt better once he got independent confirmation. "I'm glad," he told Laura.

"Yes, well if it really matters to you, next time you could actually do something. I don't know how you look at yourself in the mirror in the morning- you or Felix." She spat the name at him.

"We do what we can," Billy answered her sharply.

"Right. Well, take care of yourself, Billy," Laura said, preparing to dive back into the commotion of the market place. "Apparently, it's what your best at."

He wanted to shake her and make her see, but instead, he let her go, watching as she darted among the people, trying to calm them, trying to do damage control. In her mind, Laura Roslin was still President; Billy could see it.

He turned away, wiping irritably at his face. For the first time, he noticed the blood that was trickling from his temple. He sighed, and headed away from the marketplace and towards his own tent.

To his surprise, Felix was inside, waiting for him. "I didn't expect to see you here," Billy said.

"I heard the explosion," Felix said. "I wanted to make sure you were okay." His eyes raked over Billy's face. "Sit," he ordered.

"Thanks," Billy said, obeying and sitting on his bed. Felix poured out some water and found a cloth, and began to clean the wound.

"I was going to stay tonight anyway," Felix said, "but now I'd definitely better. You're going to have a concussion. You might even want to go see Cottle."

"Not really," Billy groaned. "I'd rather not see anyone right now."

Felix didn't draw back; he just focused on the wound. "Something wrong?"

"Ran into Laura in the marketplace."

"Oh. Ouch."

"Yeah. She had… words."

"I imagine so."

Billy sighed. "Do you ever think about what Dee would say? If she was on New Caprica?"

"Dee?" Felix sounded a little surprised that Billy had even asked. "I try not to."

"Yeah." Dee's words would make Laura Roslin's look… well, not kind, since Laura had an acrid tongue, but… well, he'd rather hear Laura's chew-out than Dee's. "I'm just tired, you know?" Billy admitted.

"I know," Felix agreed. He gripped the back of Billy's head gently as he firmed up the pressure on the wound. "I don't know how I'd get through this if I didn't have you to do it with me."

"Yeah." Billy thought about it for a long moment. "You know, that explosion today. They did that without anything we gave them. I'm sure of it. Do you really think we're helping?"

"I have to," Felix said. "I'll go insane if I don't." He let the pressure up and checked the bleeding. "This is going to bruise, but the bleeding's stopping pretty easily," he said. "We have get another list ready for Leah. I brought some files with me."

"Sounds good," Billy said, although without any fire. Tonight, it just felt like it was all worthless. All the worrying, all the planning… all for nothing.

Felix smiled at him, but there was no light in his eyes, either. He looked just as worn and drained as Billy felt. "We're going to get through this," Felix said. "Somehow or another, we will do it. Come on. I think this has stopped enough that we can do some work."

Billy nodded and took a file. Felix was right. They were both too tired to feel, and the only thing either of them could do was work through it.

***

Three days later Leah brought their list to Billy. "I could only get one out," she said, and she looked so upset. "Just this one- Andy Remkin. The other four… one is already dead, and the other three the Ones say no. I'm not sure what’s going on," she admitted. Billy pulled out a chair for her.

"Maybe Felix and I didn't do our research well enough," he suggested as she sat next to his desk. "Neither of us were thinking that well that night."

"Or maybe the Ones are starting to get suspicious," Leah said. "There's talk of tightening down even more."

"More?" Billy asked, recoiling slightly. "But-"

"You know about the bombings," Leah said. "It's not going according to plan at all. I don't understand it."

"Why people would be bombing the Cylons?"

"No. Why they'd risk their own people."

"Oh."

Leah sighed. "Oh well. I'll see what I can find out about the Ones and the detention center. I mean, I completely understand keeping dangerous insurgents in there, but all of the people you've ever given me… they're only in there for minor infractions."

There was no safe answer to that, so Billy nodded.

"How's Felix doing these days?" Leah asked tentatively. "I know he was at your place the other night."

"He's fine," Billy answered. Something about the inquiry bothered him. "Is something wrong?"

She bit her lip. "They've been asking about him."

"The Ones?"

"Not just the Ones. All of the Cylons. And Caprica Six and Baltar."

Billy's heart accelerated a little. "Why?"

"I don't know. I can't put it together. If they suspected him of being involved in any of the bombings or any sort of treason, they wouldn't be pussyfooting around it. They would take him right in for questioning."

Billy sighed, rubbing his forehead. So much for that idea. "I'm not quite sure how this works, but I've seen that the Cylons can communicate without speaking. Accessing data banks or something?"

Leah grimaced. "It doesn't work quite like that," she said, a touch of scorn in her voice. She looked down at the desk. "But there's nothing that I can find out. Nothing that I can access…."

"What?"

"Nothing. I'll see what I can find out," Leah promised him. "But do you have a few more names for me?"

"I do." Billy dug the list of four names out of his pocket. He hesitated for just a moment, and then handed them over.

Leah pocketed the list. "I'll find out what I can," she promised again. She stood gracefully. "I'll go do what I can."

"All right."

"And tell Felix to keep his head down. I don't know what's going on, but they're planning something for him."

"I will."

She smiled.

***

"So tell me," Felix said, leaning in. "I've heard the Cylons mention projection. What exactly is that?"

"It's interesting," the Eight said, moving the sprouts aside with her fork. "It's a way of viewing our surroundings. We choose how we see them; change the input. For example, instead of sitting in a conference room with you, eating something resembling lunch, I see us as sitting in a marble room with crystal chandeliers." Felix made a face and she laughed. "What's wrong with that?"

"Not really my scene," Felix admitted.

"No? What would you project?"

"New Caprica," he answered immediately. "Finished and thriving." He glanced at the drawing that hung on the wall. "When I came down here… I could see the place so clearly in my mind. I really believed that this was it, and if I just worked had enough, if I just believed hard enough… it would become a reality. And I think I was realistic- I wasn't imagining the cities of Picon or anything. Nothing like I would have once come up with. But just…" he sighed. "Not this," he finished. "Something so much more."

The Eight listened sympathetically. "You really love this place, don't you?"

"No. I love what this place should have been."

"But you love humanity."

It was such an odd statement. Felix shrugged. "I am human," was all he could think of to say.

She rested her chin on her hand. "It bothers me," she admitted.

"What does? That I'm human?"

"No," she laughed. "That there was this dream- this glorious city and an alliance… and after three months all we have to show for it is frozen mud and blood." Felix looked away. "There are so many things wrong," the Eight said, and her voice was soft. "So many ways this could have been prevented… so many wrongs that are happening. It's not what we intended. It's not what we… it's not what I came here to build."

"Well, it's what got built," Felix said bitterly.

The Eight covered his hand with hers. "It's not too late," she said. He looked up at her inquisitively. "Maybe we can right the wrongs. Maybe I can help you. Not a lot, but maybe some. Maybe we can start working towards what New Caprica is meant to be."

He met her eyes. "Maybe we can," he agreed.

***

"How many names did you give her?" Billy asked.

"Three, just like we agreed," Felix sighed, stripping off his jacket. He sat down on the bed roll he used when he stayed at Billy's tent. "That okay?"

"Yeah."

"What?"

Billy busied himself at the desk. "Nothing."

"What is it?" Felix asked, because he knew Billy well enough now to know.

"It's nothing," Billy said, but he still didn't look up.

Felix wrapped his arms around his updrawn knees. "No," he said. "It's something. What is it?"

Billy sighed and tossed the file he'd been examining down. "It's just… are you sure we can trust her?"

"As much as we can trust Leah," Felix fired back. "She said she'd help."

"And you don't find that suspicious at all?"

"Leah's been helping us," Felix pointed out angrily "Why is it okay for you to trust Leah, but not for me to trust an Eight?"

Billy sat down on his bed. "Because I worry," he said. "I trust Leah, yes. But I trust her to a point. When you decide that someone is trustworthy, you…."

"I what?" Felix demanded.

Billy sighed. "You trust them completely," he said.

"And what's wrong with that?" Felix demanded.

"Two words. Gaius Baltar."

"Look, I get that now, all right? I-"

"Admiral Adama."

"What about Adama?" Felix asked, sitting up.

"You really believe he's coming back for us, don’t you?" Billy asked.

"You don't think they will?" Felix shot back, standing up.

"It's been three months!" Billy shouted. "No, I don't! We're on our own! They're not coming for us!"

They stared at each other for a long, silent, tense moment.

"So what does that change?" Felix finally said stiffly "Nothing. We keep doing what we're doing. We keep feeding information to the resistance, and we keep getting people out of detention. The Eight can't help us with the first- we agreed on that. But she can help us with the second."

"I still don't think-" Billy began, but Felix cut him off.

"You're not the only one who gets to trust a Cylon. I-"

"Do you have any idea how idiotic that just sounded?" Billy demanded.

"You know what I mean!" Felix shouted back. "There is no reason to think that you are less-"

"Shhh!" Billy hissed, and clapped a hand over Felix's mouth.

Felix's first impulse was to stick his tongue out and lick Billy's hand, and when Billy recoiled to continue shouting at him. But as they stood in silence for a moment, he heard it too. Someone was right outside Billy's tent.

"Yeah," Billy said loudly, "well, I swear to the Gods, Felix, if I even catch you looking at him one more time…"

Felix stared at him, and then realized what Billy was doing. "And I keep telling you, there's nothing between me and Rodriguez! We're just friends!"

"Then keep your hands off him!

"He was the one groping me! And while we're on the subject, let's talk about you and…" Felix cast about for inspiration, and then decided to go right back to the actual argument. "Your superior attitude! I know you were the frakking valedictorian of Caprica High or whatever, but it is about time you admitted that you don't know everything!"

"I never said I did!" Billy countered. "I just said that you don't, either!"

"Stop patronizing me!"

"Then stop being such a trusting idiot! There is no reason for the- for RODRIGUEZ- to be so frakking interested in you! You are not his normal type!"

"Well, maybe I'll just go home tonight, if that's the way you feel!" Felix shouted.

"Maybe you should!" Billy shouted, thrusting Felix's coat at him. "Hurry," he mouthed. "Catch them."

"Fine!" Felix shouted back, nodding and pulling on his coat as fast as he could.

"Fine!" Billy shouted, and Felix ran for the door.

He burst out into the cold air of the open street, and he saw a shadow running away. He sprinted to the end of the next tent, barely managing to catch a glimpse. The shadow was tall and broad. He couldn't make out who or what it could be, but he had his guesses and he knew better than to chase it down. Instead, he continued storming angrily to his tent, muttering about faithless boyfriends as he went.

When he arrived at his tent, he examined it carefully. Nothing seemed out of place, and there were no footprints that he didn't recognize on the dirt floor. And yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone had been there; that someone was watching him. Was watching them.

He sat down at his desk. Everything was exactly as he'd left it- even the Lost Legions book was still open to the same page. He took a deep breath and tried to push the feeling away. He still had a lot to do, and tonight, he was doing it alone.

But every time he heard a noise, he jumped.

***

Felix was sitting in his office when a bouquet of weeds appeared in his line of vision. He looked up to see Billy. "What's this?" he asked, startled.

"Flowers," Billy said. "Well, as near as I can get to flowers. Don't lovers give each other flowers after a fight, to say they're sorry?"

"I don't think so," Felix said. "No lover I've had has ever done that."

"Imagine that," Billy said with a sheepish grin. "That makes me the best boyfriend you've ever had." He nudged the flowers closer. "Anyway, I wanted to say I'm sorry about last night. You were right, and I should be trusting you."

"Thanks," Felix said softly, fingering the weeds. "You were right, too. I'll be careful."

Billy glanced at the door. "Are we supposed to kiss and make up now?" he muttered.

Fortunately, at that moment Baltar entered, and they both snapped back from their conversation. "Honestly, Mr. Gaeta," Gaius said, rolling his eyes, "you never change, do you?"

Felix flushed, but Billy just nodded. "Mr. President," he acknowledged.

"Mr. Vice-President," Gaius sighed. "I don't suppose you'd put a bullet through my head and take my position today, would you? The last thing I want to deal with is the New Caprica Police."

"They're all yours, sir," Billy said. "Only you could do the job you do." He smiled at Felix. "I'll see you for dinner tonight?"

"Sounds good," Felix agreed, and Billy left. Baltar watched him go, and then sneezed.

"The typical response would be bless you, sir," Baltar said.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't listening," Felix said.

Gaius came over and looked at the bunch of weeds. "Are those ragweed flowers?" he asked, sneezing again.

"Yes," Felix said.

"He brought you weeds. How very…"

"It was thoughtful," Felix cut him off. He bit his tongue before he added anything more.

"Well, take them home tonight," Gaius said, sneezing again. "I still don't understand you. You have a lovely, beautiful Eight drooling over you-"

"She's not drooling over me."

Gaius laughed. "You truly are an idiot when it comes to relationships of a sexual nature, aren't you, Felix? The lovely young lady is, I assure you, extremely interested in you. And you'd really rather frak Billy Keikeya?"

"There's more to life than sex, Gaius. I promise."

"Whatever. Just make sure you get those out of here as soon as you can," Gaius said, and sneezed again. "I'm highly allergic to ragweed."

"Oh," Felix said, and tried to hide his smile. "I'll take them home tonight."

"Good. Now I need coffee. Get me a cup, will you?"

"Of course, Mr. President."

***

Leah walked into the office and shut the door. Billy looked up. "How'd it go?" he asked her quietly.

"We're done."

"What?"

"A sister came to see me last night," she said. "Another Three. She told me that they know what we've been doing."

"They know?" Billy asked, alarmed.

"They know. They've known for a while."

"Frak." Billy ran a hand through his hair, fighting down panic. "What are we going to do?"

"Pretend we know nothing," Leah ordered. "Just quietly desist."

Billy took a deep breath. "All right," he said, calming himself down. "All right. We can do that. We can-"

"There's more," Leah said. "Something worse."

Billy eyed her cautiously. "What?" he asked.

"The Eight- the one that's been following Felix around."

"What about her?"

"She's going to try to get names from him. She's going to tell him that she'll get them out, but…" Leah shuddered. "She's planning on killing them."

Billy goggled at her, horrified. Finally, he managed to choke out, "Why?"

"Some of the Cylons believe that New Caprica was a mistake, and the only way to remedy it is to destroy humanity," Leah explained. "But aside from the Ones, they can't admit that to themselves."

"So she wants to, what, shift the blame?"

"I think so. I don't know for sure, Billy. That's the best I can come up with. I can't pretend I understand it. The Eights have never been all that reliable, and I can't exactly ask her without answering some very awkward questions myself."

"It makes no sense!" Billy protested. "I mean, you know that we have no connections to the resistance forces, right?"

"We know," Leah said calmly. "Believe me. If we thought either you or Felix had resistance loyalties, you wouldn't be in the positions you are in. For that matter, you'd be dead." She said it so matter-of-factly that Billy's skin crawled, and for the first time in weeks he remembered she was the one in power here, not him. "But what she's planning on doing… it's one thing to execute humans who have been participating in the resistance. It's another entirely to execute those who have been picked up for minor infractions. It's not justice," Leah emphasized with a shrug of her shoulders. "And I know what Felix means to you. So make sure you warn him, will you?"

Billy nodded. "I will."

"All right." Leah stood up. "Well, I'm glad I could help you while I could. But if I continue what I'm doing, they will box me. I can't risk that, Billy."

"I understand," Billy said. "Thank you. For everything you did for us."

Leah smiled. "You're welcome," she said. She kissed him on the cheek and ruffled his hair. "We will make New Caprica work, Billy," she said. "If only more humans were like you." With that, she left his office.

***

"Oh, good Gods!" Felix said. He picked up his bowl of soup, stared at it, and then set it down again. "She really was going to… I don't… but why?"

"Leah didn't know," Billy said. "Believe me, I asked the same thing."

"Gods," Felix breathed again. Then the thought occurred to him. "Are you sure?" he asked. "I mean, could it be that Leah's getting pressure to stop, and she's telling us this so we don't get another Cylon to help us?"

"It's a possibility," Billy admitted. "But if Leah's getting pressured to stop working with us, then this Eight will get it, too. We can't risk it anymore, Felix."

Felix nodded. "I wonder if she was the one watching us the other night."

"Could have been. We're going to have to lay low for a bit, I think."

Felix sighed. "We can't. Not on the information score. I got a message from our contact today. They're still asking for the jamming frequencies, and which ones are the weakest."

"Have you had any luck?"

Felix shook his head. "I haven't. I've been trying to test them from my office, but I'm really not sure who all is tapped into my computer. What I really need to do is test them from Gaius's computer. They don't have his tapped- Caprica Six insisted. But I'm not sure how…" he trailed off.

Billy smiled. "You've got an idea, don't you?"

"I do," Felix said, and he broke into an evil grin. "I most definitely do."

***

"Mr. Gaeta," Gaius said, his eyes red and watering, "I think I need to step out for some air."

"Of course, sir," Felix said.

"I don't know what it is, but I-" Gaius sneezed again, sounding miserable. "I really think that I… I must be coming down with something."

"Perhaps you should go to the medical tent, sir."

"Perhaps I should." Gaius glanced at his watch. "If Caprica Six comes in, please tell her that's where I've gone."

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you, Mr. Gaeta." Gaius threw his coat on and left the room. He looked so miserable that Felix almost regretted seeding the carpet with ragweed.

Almost.

As soon as Gaius was gone, Felix shut the door. He didn't immediately go back to Gaius's desk, but to a side table, where the computer that Gaius used sat. He glanced at his own watch. Caprica Six was in a meeting with her fellow Cylons, and Gaius hadn't realized that the appointments that he had that morning were all fictional; Felix had put them into the system merely to make Gaius look busy all morning. He was reasonably sure of having the office to himself for a good hour. He booted up the computer, grateful that Gaius hadn't changed his password from the days of the Cylon detector.

He was starting the program he planned to use to test the jamming frequencies when he noticed the file that Baltar had most recently modified. There was something about the sequence of numbers that looked familiar, and when Felix opened it, he saw the plans for the NCP graduation. As he explored the file more thoroughly, he realized that everything was there, including the security plans.

Security plans.

He glanced at the closed door, and then put in the print command. The printer started up, and the hum that Felix rarely noticed seemed to roar into the room. He waited anxiously, and then snatched up the papers as they came off the printer.

Security plans. He couldn't believe his luck.

By the time Gaius returned from the medical tent bearing antihistamines, Felix was sitting back at his desk, working on the speech Gaius was meant to give at the graduation, the computer off. He didn't have the jamming frequencies- he'd need another few hours alone with the computer for that- but he still considered the morning a success.

On to Part 3