BSG Fic Series: The History Books Forgot About Us (Part Seven)
Title: Grounded
Story Description: "Maybe you've come to enjoy fancying yourself as the puppet behind the throne." Some fluff to make up for all the angst!
Series: The History Books Forgot About Us
Series Description: series of short scenes between Laura Roslin & Billy Keikaya. Some humor, some angst, all look at what posterity will never know about the behind the scenes of the Roslin administration. Spoliers up to 'Sacrifice' to be safe.
Rating: T
Characters: Laura Roslin, Billy Keikaya
His boss was yelling at him. It was one of the best things that had happened to Billy Keikeya in weeks.
He tried to hide the smile pulling at his lips. Laughing right this second would not win him any points with the very pissed off president standing in front of him, arms crossed in indignation. Even attired in a silk bathrobe and fuzzy slippers Laura Roslin could still command a room and strike fear into the heart of the bravest Viper pilot.
Billy was one of the few people in the fleet who was rarely afraid of the president. But he knew from experience with this particular mood that could change quickly. There was a reason the other aides on Colonial One termed the look she’d fixed him with the “I’ve got an airlock and I’m not afraid to use it” glare.
“I can do it on my own. Let go of me. Now.” The president’s voice had almost completely recovered its full timbre in the seven days since her miraculous escape from death. Well, Billy noticed but would never be dumb enough to say, it had when she wanted something. Like being allowed to walk the corridor of Life Station, as Cottle had ordered to rebuild her strength, unaided.
“Ma’am, with all due respect, you can’t just yet. You’ll fall. Like you did a few days ago.” He still felt bad about that. He left her for two minutes to get more hot water for tea and in that short timespan she’d managed to get out of bed and promptly collapse to the deck. She was thankfully mostly unscathed, save for dark, angry bruises on both of her shins. Billy had been terrified and guilty and a little bit angry. President Roslin was simply concerned the marks wouldn’t fade before she had to wear one of her skirts in front of the press.
“That was forever ago. I can walk now. I’m supposed to walk. What, do you not want me to get better?”
Billy rolled his eyes. “Of course I do, Madame President.”
She fixed him with a mock accusatory look. “Are you sure about that, Mr. Keikeya? Maybe you've come to enjoy fancying yourself as the puppet behind the throne. Running the president’s office without involving the president. By the way, isn’t that what you’re supposed to be doing? Rather than holding me hostage in this awful place?” She gestured dramatically at the drab decor of LifeStation.
“Yes, ma’am. You caught me. I’m after your terrible, thankless job. And may I remind you that it’s Cottle holding you here, not me?”
She scoffed. “Right, I understand now. It’s collusion. You are colluding with Cottle and the Admiral to hold the president hostage. That, may I remind you young man, is highly illegal. I could have you all thrown in the brig.” She paused for effect. “Or, better yet, out the airlock.”
Billy tried once again not to laugh. “Alright, ma’am, you do that. And then explain to the press how you murdered the fleet’s best doctor, our top military mind, and the poor boy who took care of you during your illness because you are far crazier when you’re not dying than any of us ever imagined.”
She intensified her glare but was more than a bit surprised when the boy didn’t even have the decency to drop his amused look, much less step back in fear. She decided to change tactics.
“Billy, please. Do you know how much it hurts to have your muscles liquify? I need to rebuild them as quickly as possible for my own comfort. And my sanity.” She fixed the aide with a desperate look and it was not lost on Billy that her voice had taken on that weak, pleading quality he’d grown so scared of hearing.
He looked into her eyes and realized instantly that he was being played. Of course. His boss was nothing if not a consummate politician willing to use any and all resources at her disposal to get her way. He didn’t really mind. She was still alive to scheme and that was enough, in his eyes, to absolve her even of trying to take advantage of his concern.
Instead of responding out of panic, as he would have a week ago, he chuckled. “You know the ‘delicate, fragile beauty’ act doesn’t work near as well on me as it does the Admiral, Madame President.”
Laura emitted a noise that resembled a growl. She’d obviously been taking tips from that very man. “Billy,” she said warningly, “I’d advise you to remember to whom you are speaking.” She wasn’t really angry and she hated to resort to intimidating this sweet kid who, as he rightfully pointed out, had done so much for her but standing for this argument was tiring her more than she’d care to admit and she needed to win quickly.
Billy released the hold he’d had on the president’s elbow throughout the exchange and threw up his arms in resignation. “Fine. Do it by yourself. I have half a mind to just leave you to fall but the Admiral really would airlock me. I’ll walk beside you in case you need to hold onto my arm. That’s as far as I’m willing to go.”
Laura hummed happily. As far as she was concerned she had won and she wasn’t about to concede otherwise. She set off resolutely in the direction of the corridor. Billy followed, shaking his head.
She was able to do the first pass relatively easily. When Billy stopped her to rest at the end she jerked away and shot him a look. By the time she’d finished the second, the maximum number the doctor said she should do, she was struggling for breath but still standing on her own power.
“Ok, good. You were right, Madame President, as usual. Now let’s get you back to bed.” Billy offered his elbow good naturedly and was genuinely annoyed when she swatted it away.
“No. Again,” she huffed, turning carefully to retrace her steps. She was fading but the only way she was going to get out of this gods awful place was if she could prove to these overbearing men she wasn’t about to collapse at any moment.
“Ma’am, you’re only supposed to do two right now. There’s no need to overexert yourself.” Billy noticed, along with the labored breathing, that the president’s cheeks were flushed and there was a sheen of sweat dotting her chest.
“Are you coming?” She walked away from him and he had no choice but to follow. As he expected, they made it half of the distance to the other end of the corridor before the president grasped for his arm and stopped, pausing to catch her breath.
He didn’t bother arguing that they should turn back or she should sit down and let him get a wheelchair. It was a useless expenditure of energy and at least now, with her hand clutching his arm, he could make sure she didn’t falter. He had an unfortunate amount of practice with this particular situation.
By the time they had completed the fourth lap and returned to the start Billy was practically carrying the older woman. She leaned heavily into his chest and he could feel her hot, hard breathing through the material of his shirt. He could also feel that the president’s whole body was too warm and his only focus was getting her back into bed before she passed out from exhaustion.
Once he’d managed that task he retrieved a cool towel for her to rub across her face and then exchanged it for a cup of water.
She drank thirstily and put the glass down, a look of satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.
“See, that was fine. That was good, in fact.” She beamed and, politician’s wiles aside, Billy could tell she truly believed it.
He couldn’t help but smile at her determination. It was what he so admired in Laura Roslin even if it did seem to make his life hell at least half of the time.
“What was it Cottle said earlier today, Madame President? ‘Weak as a kitten and still stubborn as a mule?’ One of Doc’s more astute observations.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. She’d not liked that little witticism from Galactica’s CMO and she certainly didn’t like it from Billy. “What was it you said earlier? Oh, right. ‘Delicate, fragile beauty act.’ Don’t think I’ll forget that one anytime soon, mister.”
“I’m sorry about that.” He paused to consider it and the president’s good mood. “Well, not that sorry.”
That made her laugh but when he looked up to take in the visual that accompanied the beautiful sound he noted she was struggling to keep her eyes open.
“Rest, Madame President. I’ll wake you when it’s time for your meeting with the Admiral.” She nodded as she closed her eyes and he sat down next to the chair, instinctively taking her hand.
“By the way, thank you for that Billy,” she said, her voice already heavy with sleep.
“What, ma’am?”
She opened her eyes and lifted her head to look at him. “For holding my hand the entire time. I don’t remember much other than dreams but I always felt your hand over mine. It was like you were willing me to stay here.” She paused, a loving smile lighting up her tired features. “It worked.”
Billy gulped back a sob. He’d been embarrassed to admit even to Dee that this was the exact reason why he’d made sure the president was never alone during those dark, supposed last days. He’d even made a schedule for times when he couldn’t be there, ordering each babysitter to keep holding onto her no matter what. Something had just told him it was important.
“That was my intention, ma’am,” he managed.
Chapter 8
“I know,” she whispered. Her hand went limp in his as she submitted to sleep.
Story Description: "Maybe you've come to enjoy fancying yourself as the puppet behind the throne." Some fluff to make up for all the angst!
Series: The History Books Forgot About Us
Series Description: series of short scenes between Laura Roslin & Billy Keikaya. Some humor, some angst, all look at what posterity will never know about the behind the scenes of the Roslin administration. Spoliers up to 'Sacrifice' to be safe.
Rating: T
Characters: Laura Roslin, Billy Keikaya
His boss was yelling at him. It was one of the best things that had happened to Billy Keikeya in weeks.
He tried to hide the smile pulling at his lips. Laughing right this second would not win him any points with the very pissed off president standing in front of him, arms crossed in indignation. Even attired in a silk bathrobe and fuzzy slippers Laura Roslin could still command a room and strike fear into the heart of the bravest Viper pilot.
Billy was one of the few people in the fleet who was rarely afraid of the president. But he knew from experience with this particular mood that could change quickly. There was a reason the other aides on Colonial One termed the look she’d fixed him with the “I’ve got an airlock and I’m not afraid to use it” glare.
“I can do it on my own. Let go of me. Now.” The president’s voice had almost completely recovered its full timbre in the seven days since her miraculous escape from death. Well, Billy noticed but would never be dumb enough to say, it had when she wanted something. Like being allowed to walk the corridor of Life Station, as Cottle had ordered to rebuild her strength, unaided.
“Ma’am, with all due respect, you can’t just yet. You’ll fall. Like you did a few days ago.” He still felt bad about that. He left her for two minutes to get more hot water for tea and in that short timespan she’d managed to get out of bed and promptly collapse to the deck. She was thankfully mostly unscathed, save for dark, angry bruises on both of her shins. Billy had been terrified and guilty and a little bit angry. President Roslin was simply concerned the marks wouldn’t fade before she had to wear one of her skirts in front of the press.
“That was forever ago. I can walk now. I’m supposed to walk. What, do you not want me to get better?”
Billy rolled his eyes. “Of course I do, Madame President.”
She fixed him with a mock accusatory look. “Are you sure about that, Mr. Keikeya? Maybe you've come to enjoy fancying yourself as the puppet behind the throne. Running the president’s office without involving the president. By the way, isn’t that what you’re supposed to be doing? Rather than holding me hostage in this awful place?” She gestured dramatically at the drab decor of LifeStation.
“Yes, ma’am. You caught me. I’m after your terrible, thankless job. And may I remind you that it’s Cottle holding you here, not me?”
She scoffed. “Right, I understand now. It’s collusion. You are colluding with Cottle and the Admiral to hold the president hostage. That, may I remind you young man, is highly illegal. I could have you all thrown in the brig.” She paused for effect. “Or, better yet, out the airlock.”
Billy tried once again not to laugh. “Alright, ma’am, you do that. And then explain to the press how you murdered the fleet’s best doctor, our top military mind, and the poor boy who took care of you during your illness because you are far crazier when you’re not dying than any of us ever imagined.”
She intensified her glare but was more than a bit surprised when the boy didn’t even have the decency to drop his amused look, much less step back in fear. She decided to change tactics.
“Billy, please. Do you know how much it hurts to have your muscles liquify? I need to rebuild them as quickly as possible for my own comfort. And my sanity.” She fixed the aide with a desperate look and it was not lost on Billy that her voice had taken on that weak, pleading quality he’d grown so scared of hearing.
He looked into her eyes and realized instantly that he was being played. Of course. His boss was nothing if not a consummate politician willing to use any and all resources at her disposal to get her way. He didn’t really mind. She was still alive to scheme and that was enough, in his eyes, to absolve her even of trying to take advantage of his concern.
Instead of responding out of panic, as he would have a week ago, he chuckled. “You know the ‘delicate, fragile beauty’ act doesn’t work near as well on me as it does the Admiral, Madame President.”
Laura emitted a noise that resembled a growl. She’d obviously been taking tips from that very man. “Billy,” she said warningly, “I’d advise you to remember to whom you are speaking.” She wasn’t really angry and she hated to resort to intimidating this sweet kid who, as he rightfully pointed out, had done so much for her but standing for this argument was tiring her more than she’d care to admit and she needed to win quickly.
Billy released the hold he’d had on the president’s elbow throughout the exchange and threw up his arms in resignation. “Fine. Do it by yourself. I have half a mind to just leave you to fall but the Admiral really would airlock me. I’ll walk beside you in case you need to hold onto my arm. That’s as far as I’m willing to go.”
Laura hummed happily. As far as she was concerned she had won and she wasn’t about to concede otherwise. She set off resolutely in the direction of the corridor. Billy followed, shaking his head.
She was able to do the first pass relatively easily. When Billy stopped her to rest at the end she jerked away and shot him a look. By the time she’d finished the second, the maximum number the doctor said she should do, she was struggling for breath but still standing on her own power.
“Ok, good. You were right, Madame President, as usual. Now let’s get you back to bed.” Billy offered his elbow good naturedly and was genuinely annoyed when she swatted it away.
“No. Again,” she huffed, turning carefully to retrace her steps. She was fading but the only way she was going to get out of this gods awful place was if she could prove to these overbearing men she wasn’t about to collapse at any moment.
“Ma’am, you’re only supposed to do two right now. There’s no need to overexert yourself.” Billy noticed, along with the labored breathing, that the president’s cheeks were flushed and there was a sheen of sweat dotting her chest.
“Are you coming?” She walked away from him and he had no choice but to follow. As he expected, they made it half of the distance to the other end of the corridor before the president grasped for his arm and stopped, pausing to catch her breath.
He didn’t bother arguing that they should turn back or she should sit down and let him get a wheelchair. It was a useless expenditure of energy and at least now, with her hand clutching his arm, he could make sure she didn’t falter. He had an unfortunate amount of practice with this particular situation.
By the time they had completed the fourth lap and returned to the start Billy was practically carrying the older woman. She leaned heavily into his chest and he could feel her hot, hard breathing through the material of his shirt. He could also feel that the president’s whole body was too warm and his only focus was getting her back into bed before she passed out from exhaustion.
Once he’d managed that task he retrieved a cool towel for her to rub across her face and then exchanged it for a cup of water.
She drank thirstily and put the glass down, a look of satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.
“See, that was fine. That was good, in fact.” She beamed and, politician’s wiles aside, Billy could tell she truly believed it.
He couldn’t help but smile at her determination. It was what he so admired in Laura Roslin even if it did seem to make his life hell at least half of the time.
“What was it Cottle said earlier today, Madame President? ‘Weak as a kitten and still stubborn as a mule?’ One of Doc’s more astute observations.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. She’d not liked that little witticism from Galactica’s CMO and she certainly didn’t like it from Billy. “What was it you said earlier? Oh, right. ‘Delicate, fragile beauty act.’ Don’t think I’ll forget that one anytime soon, mister.”
“I’m sorry about that.” He paused to consider it and the president’s good mood. “Well, not that sorry.”
That made her laugh but when he looked up to take in the visual that accompanied the beautiful sound he noted she was struggling to keep her eyes open.
“Rest, Madame President. I’ll wake you when it’s time for your meeting with the Admiral.” She nodded as she closed her eyes and he sat down next to the chair, instinctively taking her hand.
“By the way, thank you for that Billy,” she said, her voice already heavy with sleep.
“What, ma’am?”
She opened her eyes and lifted her head to look at him. “For holding my hand the entire time. I don’t remember much other than dreams but I always felt your hand over mine. It was like you were willing me to stay here.” She paused, a loving smile lighting up her tired features. “It worked.”
Billy gulped back a sob. He’d been embarrassed to admit even to Dee that this was the exact reason why he’d made sure the president was never alone during those dark, supposed last days. He’d even made a schedule for times when he couldn’t be there, ordering each babysitter to keep holding onto her no matter what. Something had just told him it was important.
“That was my intention, ma’am,” he managed.
Chapter 8
“I know,” she whispered. Her hand went limp in his as she submitted to sleep.