No Phoenix for Roslin

Chapter 2

"Yes?" Adama studied Roslin's aide. "What can I do for you?"

The boy hesitated, seemed to waver under his gaze.

"You'll have to speak up, son. I'm not the one with the visions."

Billy flinched. "It's the President."

Adama nodded. That much had been obvious. He moved his hand to indicate the boy to go on.

"She doesn't know I'm here."

Bill raised his brows at that. It wouldn't help his relationship with Laura if he went behind her back. "Then perhaps you shouldn't be here."

The boy swallowed. "She tried to hide it, Sir, but," there was a sudden flicker of terror in Billy's eyes, "I think she's dying."

"I've been aware of that for some time now."

Apart from her own public confession in the brig, Billy surely must have noticed how they'd started to sneak in and out of each other's quarters at odd hours since they had returned from Kobol. The boy must be incredibly green if he believed that Adama hadn't touched her in places were her illness could hardly be hidden.

"There's little I can do about it." Or else he would have done it by now. Being powerless, having to watch her deteriorate was unhinging him more than he wanted to admit. Anything, well just about anything, was preferable to this.

The President's aide squinted, taking in the commander's expression and then shook his head.

"No, Sir. That's not what I meant. I meant ...," the boy swallowed, "...I think she is dying right now."

"What?"

The boy nodded mutely.

Adama was halfway out of his chair before he even realized he moved. He grabbed the phone. "Dee, have doctor Cottle report to..." He turned to Billy

"Where?!"

"Colonial One, Sir, but she wouldn't want ..."

"Colonial One," Adama barked in the horn. "And make that immediate!"

"You," he pointed at Billy, "come with me."

"But..."

"Now!"