<<    Beginning of Story

“You want all or nothing, Bill.  But there’s no all in this universe, and I’m sure as hell not going to accept nothing,” said Laura.

Bill leaned forehead to forehead with her, trying to shake his head, make her agree with him.

Her tears slid down, the skin burning.

He said, “We should go,” releasing his grip on her. 
( Read more... )

As soon as they were out in the hall, Laura realized there was no way she would be able to find the launch bay.  She hated to always ask the Marines to lead her.  She stomped along beside Adama, the silence as tight as his forearm under her hand.

Then she realized he was furious too.  His muscles were more rock-hard than normal, no warmth coming ( Read more... )

Laura had watched through the portholes as the Colonial One assumed a position in the Fleet next to Galactica.

She smiled at Tory.  “Back home again,” she said.

“Yes, Ma’am.”  Her assistant looked fretful.  “About that--“

“Yes?” said Laura, pushing aside a red satin pillow with her boot-shod toe.  She wondered if she could track ( Read more... )

“What do you hear?” had come through her tent flap.

Laura called back, “Nothin’ but the rain.”  It had been raining for days.  She had loved hearing the patter of rain again at first, but now only Adama still enjoyed it.  “So bring in the cat,” she urged.

Bill came through, smiling, moving into her arms easily.  “You feel good,” he ( Read more... )

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 ( Read more... )

She’d always been involved with her own species, gazelles like her, lithe, quick, ever in motion, eyes flicking, watching for greener pastures.  This had suited her.

He was a rhinoceros, plated with pocked skin, bull-shouldered, strong-limbed, absolutely still until necessary.  His hooded eyes watched, waited, ready.

She could lie down ( Read more... )

The dawn crept into the tent, finding their bodies twisted together uncomfortably on her cot.  It had squealed all night long as they tried to turn, unaccustomed to company.

Once Bill had moaned, after taking a sharp elbow to the throat, “I’ll get on the floor,” but she’d grouched back, “Dammit, just move your arm and we’ll be fine.”

The ( Read more... )

Bill’s note had read: ‘I’ve got my night duty covered.  Tell me the day.’

Laura literally went weak for a moment, clutching the paper.

Ellen came up behind her at the message center.  “Bad news, honey?  You look like death!”

“No, no, nothing.  I was just thinking about something.”  And then Laura made the first fatal mistake.  “Bill ( Read more... )

 
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Laura had pawed through her meager clothing, not finding what she needed.  She’d left all her suits up in space and there wasn’t time to have one sent down by shuttle.

“May I help you?” Tory said, peeking in the flap.

Laura grinned up at her from where she’d been searching under her cot.  “I’ve been summoned, Tory.”  She stood, ruffling ( Read more... )