Disclaimer: Battlestar Galactica belongs to Ronald D. Moore and the Sci-Fi channel. Louis Acton's Philosophies of Ethics Behind the Lines is mine, as is Kyle Worgran.

The Arrangement

Chapter 1: Presenting the deal

They stood around the president's desk a few days after almost delivering a biogenic weapon to the Cylon resurrection ship. After other matters were discussed, one man was not planning to beat around the bush.

"What's our policy going to be on biogenic warfare?" Captain Lee Adama asked.

"We will continue our research in order to stop the Cylons by any means possible," President Laura Roslin replied.

Admiral William Adama shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Madame President, I would advise against that without further discussion with the military.

She eyed him with annoyance until their gazes locked in a draw. "This is my call to make when I am considering the welfare of the colonies."

"At what cost? You know, you've got a bloodthirsty streak that's really distasteful," the admiral told her. Adama had battled enough for what was actually right and after having the decision made for them, the president was still unwilling to concede that she had been wrong.

He stood where he was, across the desk from her. She rose to her feet and faced him, leaning on the table with her fingers spread out in front of her. "You always take the moral high ground, while I have to stay down here and make the hard decisions!" she retorted.

"This isn't about who makes the decisions. It's about what it makes us if we allow ourselves to stoop to their level and promote genocide!" he countered, becoming more irate.

The others in the room watched in silence, not wanting to face the furry of either of them. Roslin was not finished. "This is about preserving the human race and making sure that Earth also remains safe! Further research can still be done to-"

He interrupted her. "I told you the book was closed on this! I will not allow research for a biological weapon of this magnitude to go any further than it already has!"

"And what if the decision is not yours to make?" she threw back. The others trickled out of the room, figuring that an explosion was possible at any moment.

He glowered at her. "Do you really want to divide the fleet again over this? Or do I have to arrest you again so that you'll listen to me? You used to know that things like this are wrong. It seems that I don't know you anymore!"

His words cut into her enough so that she took a deep breath and looked down at the table for a moment. "It would seem that I no longer know myself, if I have lost your respect," she whispered, not looking up.

Sighing and shaking his head, he realized that they were the only people in the room. "I was shot by one of Sharon's avatars. I was able to realize that they aren't all alike, that some of them can make the right decision. I'm only asking the same when it comes to humans. There's only one of you, yes, but which one am I talking to?" he asked quietly.

She looked him in the eyes and swallowed. "The one who is tired of running, who wants to fight back, but also the one who does not remember how to trust her instincts and keeps falling back on old presidential prerogatives."

He made his way over to her side of the desk. "And what do your instincts tell you?"

"That you were right," she admitted. "There has to be another way that doesn't include stooping to their level."

"So do we have a truce between us again though? We did manage to clear the room," he reminded with a wry smile.

She nodded and the two shook hands. As they made their way out of the room, he turned to his left and spoke to her. "I've got a couple of books you might be interested in if you'd like to stop by my quarters for a drink. I'll even take you back to Colonial One myself."

Smirking, she shook her head. "We've just left a louder argument than we have had in a while and now you're inviting me over for a drink. Is there a catch to this?"

He chuckled. "You're becoming far too suspicious Laura. Just because I argue with my friend doesn't mean that we can't make peace over a drink and a good book."

"Alright, let's go," she said with a smile.

Taking his arm, she left her ship for Galactica and they were at the admiral's quarters shortly, having met with the usual polite nods from passers by. He opened the door and stated, "After you, Madame President," more for show than decorum.

"Why thank you, Admiral," she added as she entered.

He went over to his small kitchen and found a bottle of the orange stuff along with two glasses. She had been looking at the pictures on his desk when he returned. After she had accepted the glass, he turned to the bookshelf and removed a well-worn slim green book. She raised an eyebrow and read the title when he handed it to her. The book was Philosophies of Ethics Behind the Lines by Louis Acton.

"I think you'll find that book interesting," Adama commented.

Roslin set her glass down to flip through the book. "Who was Louis Acton?"

The admiral took his seat on the couch after offering her to do the same. "Acton was a colonel. I think that by reading the book, it'll help you understand some of what I've been talking about regarding existence and genocide. It was required reading when I was a cadet," he relayed.

She looked the book over again thoughtfully and finally answered, "Alright then, I suppose it couldn't hurt. You have yet to recommend a bad book to me. In fact, you really ought to run your own library."

He grinned and lifted his glass. "Let's toast to good books then."

"To good books," she stated as their glasses clinked. The orange liquid was refreshing, with a bit of a kick to it. After a moment she faced him again. "I thought you told me that you had more than one book to show me," she reminded.

At first she thought he might be stretching, but then his right arm brushed her shoulders. I don't remember anything about this being a date, she mused. Then she realized that he was actually reaching past her to get a book on the end table by the lamp. I think I need a day off. My mind is wandering too much, she concluded as he handed her the book.

He read her expression of confusion and embarrassment and let his own mind wander a bit before explaining the book. It would have been more fun if I'd been reaching for her instead of the book. "This book has quotations from former presidents as well as military leaders."

She took a gulp from her glass. "Is this yet another method to persuade me to agree with you more often?"

Shaking his head, he took the book and opened it to a page. "Actually I thought you'd find this book amusing. Here's one from Colonel Acton himself, 'When taking fire from a ground fight with an enemy, make sure your weapon's loaded and that your uniform's always zipped. The last thing you want to do is be running from an enemy in your boxers.'"

Roslin tried unsuccessfully not to laugh. "Oh my, are most of them like that?" she asked in between laughs.

He chuckled and grinned. "If you thought that was funny, you'll really get a kick out of what the presidents in this book say. Here's one from the former president Kyle Worgran: 'Politicians and reports both deal with dirty laundry, either airing it out, or trying to hide it; the glitch is that neither side actually wants to clean it.' And here's another from him: 'When running for office, never where white pants to public events.'"

Both laughed and eventually she had to catch her breath. "Both of those are true to some extent," she remarked.

"So is the one by Acton. Let's find a few more military once," he commented, flipping through the book again.

It was 2:00 in the morning when he set the book down. She yawned and stood, taking the philosophy book with her. "Well, this was fun Bill, but I should return to my ship now."

He stood and offered her his arm. "I'll walk you back," he offered.

She took his arm and the two started walking down the corridor, unaware that a reporter who could not sleep had been walking by with his camera. They conversed on their way back to Colonial One. "I hope you'll read that book. As I said before, it might help you understand my perspective a little more," he mentioned.

"You've certainly convinced me that Colonel Acton is worth reading," she told him.

"His advice isn't too bad either," Adama stated.

Roslin smirked and he realized that it was mischief he was seeing. "Let's just hope that you military men follow Colonel Acton's advice and keep your pants on," she relayed. Her comment made him laugh heartily. She followed suit and it took them a while to regain their breath. Neither heard the camera snap, nor the reporter doubling over in laughter as they made their way to the other ship.

In the morning Roslin had scheduled another meeting to clear up a few of the questions from the previous one. She stood at her desk in Colonial One surrounded by the familiar group. Lee greeted her with a mischievous grin. "Well Madame President, I take it that you and the admiral zipped up yesterday's disagreement?"

She raised an eyebrow. "I suppose you could put it that way." Looking back at Adama she whispered, "Did I miss something this morning?"

He glanced around the room and noticed the odd looks everyone was giving them. "I think we both did," he answered.

Turning to address the group, she spoke again. "I just wanted to establish our policy on biogenic weapons. Though we may look into matters in theory, the book will be closed in the testing and practices in these devices. We are humans and there will be better ways of dealing with the Cylons other than mass eradication. One thing that makes our humanity great is that we will not stoop to their level. Thank you."

Those there applauded her decision and two men from the press off to her left talked to each other. "Guess we know who slept on the couch tonight," one said.

Roslin overheard the comment and turned to face the men. "This is an important discussion, not a gossip column. If you two would prefer to gossip, then you can go outside," she told them, as if they were school-age children.

Adama noticed that the two had a newspaper. He walked over behind them and put out his hand. "Gentlemen, may I see that?" he ordered. Reluctantly they gave it to him and to the untrained eye, he looked it over impassively. To Roslin and Lee, he scrutinized it and was not pleased with what he had read. Eventually he looked up and walked over the president. "I think you should read this," he said, handing her the paper.

She gasped as she saw the article. The headline read: "President reminds the Admiral to keep his pants on." The article went on to describe how a reporter had seen them leaving Adama's quarters at 2:00. She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment to think. When she opened them, she knew exactly what she wanted.

"Looks like the story caught a couple of people with their pants down," someone muttered.

Facing the two men from the press, she crossed her arms. "Gentlemen, I want whomever is responsible for this article to write an immediate retraction, and I would like a letter of apology, to myself as well as the admiral. This is not a request," she stated in an even tone.

The men nodded and the meeting continued. At the end of it the others left and Adama stayed behind. "Bill, I am really getting tired of press's lack of decorum," she relayed.

He nodded in agreement. "The good thing is that if this is the best story they can come up with, it means that nothing worse is going on at the moment."

"As true as that is, this story is incredibly embarrassing. I can't even joke with you without raising suspicion," she conveyed with a sigh.

"I'd like to know what that reporter was doing out so late," he added as they left the room.

On the morning of the following day, Roslin received a message after breakfast. "Hello Madame President. The Quorum wants to speak with you on a particular matter of concern. Please come by at 01100. Zarek out," the regrettably familiar voice said.

When she reached Galactica, the admiral found the president as he sauntered through the corridor. "I take it you're heading to the Quorum as well?" Adama inquired.

Roslin nodded. "Do you know what any of this is about?"

"No, but if Tom Zarek is involved, we can bet we're going to have trouble," Adama reminded.

They entered the room to find all the representatives present, and Tom Zarek standing in front of them all. "Zarek, what's this all about?" Adama questioned, his cold gaze never leaving the former convict.

"Why don't you two come in and have a seat. Then I'll explain everything," he replied calmly, noticing that neither Adama nor Roslin trusted him. Once the two leaders were seated, Zarek resumed his speech. "It's common knowledge that you two have recently had a harsh disagreement regarding decisions. Are either of you aware that whenever you two have a monumental disagreement, the colonists and even the military seem to divide? Need I remind you about what happened with Kobol?"

Roslin sighed, attempting to keep her patience. "Please, Mr. Zarek, can you get to the point?" she inquired with restraint.

The man walked closer to them. "Very well. Madame President, Admiral Adama, it is this Quorum's opinion that the two of you need to prove that though you may disagree, you have common goals for the colonists. We here feel that it would be in the colony's best interests if you two were married, as the ultimate gesture of unity."

Roslin was too caught off guard to speak. Adama glared at the Sagittarian representative. "What! Was this your bright idea, or did you need help?"

The president recovered her composure and put a hand up to stop what was looking to be a heated argument between her military chief and Zarek. "Does the Quorum realize that this… proposal poses quite a conflict of interest?"

Zarek had a small triumphant grin. "Madame President, this is in the best interests of the fleet and the colonists. If you two were… involved somehow, it would show great trust and support between the fleet and the government."

"Has anyone here been reading the newspapers? The press already thinks we've been indiscreet. What more can we do that the press hasn't already tried?" Adama pointed out. Roslin hid a smirk, realizing the implications of what he had just said without knowing it.

Prepared for this, Zarek looked from one to the other and then faced the Quorum. "We all think that a president really ought to be married, don't we?" The others nodded collectively. "You see, admiral, this is about finding more ways to strengthen the bonds between the government and the colonies. I'm sure you'd understand better if you were a representative from one of the planets."

Adama leaned close to Roslin and whispered, "Someone's either been bribing a lot of people, or they're all brainwashed." She nodded in agreement as they turned back to their adversary.

"If you two marry, we can all trust that you aren't Cylons either," Zarek charged.

Roslin rolled her eyes at the comment. "There's also a little matter called protocol," the admiral reminded.

Zarek snickered. "It's not like we expect you two to kiss through the corridors. A wedding and acknowledgment that you two are espoused to each other would be sufficient. Of course if this will truly be a problem, there are other ways to demonstrate unity between the government and the colonies."

Adama wanted to retaliate verbally again, but Roslin put a hand over his before facing the Quorum. "Could we please be allowed some time to discuss this?"

The former convict nodded. "We'll give you two thirty minutes."