Many Partings, a BSG fanfic

[lily_winterwood]

Companion/sequel to "Past Lives" and "Finding Each Other Again", and betaed by the luverly laurawillows . *hugs*
Moar angst, yes. Not my fault that these awesome episodes bring out my inner emo child. *sniggers*

Title: Many Partings
Author: Lily Winterwood
Rating: K
Fandom: BSG
Characters: Bill Adama, Laura Roslin
Pairings: A/R
Summary: Set during "The Oath" (d'you see a pattern here?). The end scene from Laura's point of view, coupled with her and Bill's last moments on Earth the day of the nuking.
Disclaimer: Mine only in my dreams.

Many Partings

There are figures moving down the ladder at the end of the hall, and Galen Tyrol goes to greet them.

Laura Roslin, however, is still talking to the Eight that brought her over. She hears the footsteps of four more people, and one very familiar voice.

"It’s good to see you, Mr. Tyrol,” Bill Adama says. Upon hearing that, Laura turns, smiling, to see him.

He sees her, too, and heads straight for her, pausing only to put his guns down. Otherwise, his eyes never leave her face.

Laura feels her heartbeat quicken as he stops just in front of her.

~~

The day before their last, she and Bill discuss what might happen after they die. Rebirth is one thing they talk about.

Cylons are reborn. But they are humans and they can’t come back from death.

Or could they? Maybe God intended them to be reborn again and again, but in a completely different way. Their lives would repeat again and again, because all this has happened before and it will all happen again.

Laura’s more concerned with making love to Bill as if it was the last time they could do so in that lifetime.

~~

Bill’s hands are on her sides as he leans in and kisses her.

Laura’s taken by surprise at first, but she quickly catches on. Her hands cup his face, and his caress her back. Their kiss is one of almost desperation, as if it was the last one they’ll ever share.

Laura knows everyone else is watching. She also knows that she doesn’t care.

When they break apart, her hands move to his shoulders as she rests her cheek against the side of his head. She knows what she must say. It doesn’t mean that she wants to say it.

"I came here because I don’t want you to worry about me.” Laura tries to keep the nervousness out of her voice, but she knows it’s futile. “I know what you have to do.”

She kisses his head and they look at each other for a long, long moment, trying to memorize the other’s face. The look on his face is heartbreaking, and part of Laura wishes she could just freeze time and gaze at him forever.

~~

Early that morning, there is a chill to the air, a cold foreboding. The sun is up, but no warmth is felt.

Laura and Bill stand on the pebbly beach, watching the waves crash against the shore. He’s wrapped her in his arms, and it’s warmer there than in the finest fur coat.

She’s content to just gaze at him, all other aspects of her life placed onto the back burner. It’s a Monday morning, and sooner or later life would reenter in the form of work.

They’ll be late for work, they know. Laura’s students will wonder and Bill’s colleagues will worry.

They don’t care.

~~

"We’ve got about two minutes,” Tyrol says. Bill turns, and the moment is broken.

He heads down the steps towards his guns. Bill is gone, and the Admiral has replaced him.“Mr. Tyrol, take them back the way we came. You go with them, Colonel.”

"I’ve come too far to walk out on you now, Bill,” Colonel Tigh replies, and Laura feels her heart swell with affection. She wishes she, too, could stay and do the same. She wishes she could stand and fight with him to the last.

Only thing standing in the way is that she has no idea how to use a gun.

Kara Thrace looks befuddled. “What are you doing, sir?” she asks.

"The colonel and I are going to make sure that the president’s Raptor gets out of here safely,” he answers.

Laura could have sworn at that precise moment her heart broke in two.

~~

"Do you remember when we first met?” Bill asks her, and she is more than happy to answer.

"We met on a plane flight to New York.” Laura couldn’t help but chuckle at the recollection. “Isn’t that the oddest way to meet a husband?”

"Odd doesn’t make it any less significant, Laura,” he whispers into her ear; the feel of his breath is a loving caress. “Just think. We’ve been married for three years already.”

She gazes into his blue eyes, and sees nothing but love. “They’ve been the best three years of my life,” she replies truthfully. “I love you, Bill.”

His smile is more dazzling than the sun, she thinks as they kiss.

There is a sound of an explosion moments later.

~~

Saul Tigh closes the hatch into the airlock, providing a temporary barrier between them and the firing teams out to get them. Kara, Lee, and Tyrol escape up the ladder.

Laura gazes into Bill’s eyes, mentally clutching at what seems to truly be their last moment together. She almost could have cried out in frustration as Gaius Baltar pops that moment as well.

"Admiral, Madame President, please!” Laura turns away, lowering her head in an attempt to hide her tears. She steps onto the Raptor, and Gaius steadies her.

Bill is still on the top step, gazing at her as both the airlock and the Raptor doors close. Laura gazes back at him as well, and she sees tears in his eyes, mirroring the tears in her own.

The doors close, and he is gone. Only then can she let it all go and cry.

~~

Laura’s last moments are bittersweet.

She’s standing, protected partially by Bill’s arms. Around them the buildings fall and the waves of the ocean crash against the beach. The other Cylons have invaded Earth, and they have destroyed it.

But Bill, though he is as wonderful a husband and a soulmate could be, cannot shield her from everything. This is the end, she thinks. Sooner or later I must die.

"Laura,” he whispers, his voice cracking with emotion, “I love you.” Such a simple declaration it is, and yet it brings tears to her eyes.

Bill kisses her forehead, and she rests her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Their fingers intertwine, and Laura is determined not to let go.

Death comes upon her, and she slips into it as soundlessly as if she was falling asleep.

~~

The Raptor flies to the Cylon Basestar, and she closes her eyes in anguish at the thought of leaving him behind.

Just as he couldn’t live without her, Laura Roslin couldn’t live without Bill Adama either.

Comments

[obsessive-a101.livejournal.com]

Aww... *sniffles*

[unavitasegreta.livejournal.com]

So very sweet and touching.

[lily-winterwood.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

Have I ever told you that I love your AU series where the Cylons don't attack and stuff? (Forgot the title to the series, if there is a title)

[unavitasegreta.livejournal.com]

Thank you! There is no title to it. I am horrid at titles. But a new part should be up tomorrow!

[lily-winterwood.livejournal.com]

*iz eager for new installment* I'll be waiting!

[2raggedclaws.livejournal.com]

Hey ... I like your take on this. In particular, I thought this line captured the moment well:

"Bill is gone, and the Admiral has replaced him."

I enjoy your stuff. Thanks for posting.

[laurawillows.livejournal.com]

You used teh pretty quote for teh ljcut!! =D LOVE.

[spikesbuffy.livejournal.com]

I'm really loving this series. Hope you have more soon.

[lily-winterwood.livejournal.com]

It's really dependent on the episodes, so we'll have to pray to RDM and co. (and the Lords of Kobol!) for another stunning, plotbunny-evoking episode. :]

[damaged-hearts.livejournal.com]

Aww, very touching :)

[roslinbsg.livejournal.com]

so good!! Bittersweet.. I love reading your stories!!

[lily-winterwood.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :]