Z-z-z-z-z-z

"Battlestar Galactica" and its characters are the property of Ronald D. Moore and Sci Fi. No copyright infringement is intended.

Thanks to Rhonda for fixing things again.

Could take place any time during Laura's term as president

Rating: K

Archive: Be my guest, but please let me know.

Z-z-z-z-z-z

He snores.

Laura Roslin couldn't believe it. The dashing, strong and surprisingly romantic William Adama snored. Her Bill really was human.

She made this noisy discovery while trapped between the wall of his rack and her sleeping lover's body. She let a whoosh of disapproval through her lips as she turned on her side and leaned an elbow on his body to steady her.

Her study of Bill revealed he was on his side facing outward. She'd remembered reading somewhere that most snorers sleep on their backs and being on their side eases the din. The rhythm of his loud breathing resounded in her head as she searched for another reason he was keeping her up.

He'd been a boxer in his youth and still dabbled in it now with sparring sessions in Galactica's gym. That could have left his nose damaged and his breathing impaired. He'd been wounded during his time in the service and she shuddered remembering his near death experience and major surgeries just since she'd known him. All of that could figure into the physical cause for this racket.

Maybe he'd always snored?

She'd never been aware of it. To be honest, she admitted there weren't always opportunities to observe his sleeping habits.

Most times the couple drove themselves to a state of sexual satisfaction and lingering pleasure that led to deep and uninterrupted slumber. Or their schedules didn't allow for the luxury of lulling each other into dozing off after making love.

Laura had noticed Bill's reticence to stay all night on Colonial One. She'd figured it was because he felt uncomfortable being away from CIC for that long. However, she'd discovered it was just as much about his reluctance for her people to discover he'd stayed over and how it reflected on her.

Somehow, incredibly, he believed people would rather think their President was asexual instead of knowing she enjoyed making love and being in a mature, committed relationship. She accepted it was part of Bill's natural courtliness, a misguided part nonetheless.

Laura knew it was different for him on Galactica. His crew was more discreet than the general population. Besides that, she suspected they were fascinated to see "the old man" was getting frakked regularly and how it affected his personality.

But Laura's Presidential duties didn't always allow for grownup sleepovers either. She admitted her desire to be with Bill had increased her talent for juggling opportunities and tasks. Earlier this evening, she'd used her decision making skills to rearrange her schedule when Bill's duties with his deckhands ran late. She couldn't imagine leaving without having one of their precious respites. Laura decided to use her free time to catnap on Bill's soft, enveloping couch.

The nap turned into several hours of sleep. She awakened to find Bill crouched next to the couch and stroking her face. It was the start of being roused and aroused in a most delightful manner. Her heart did a lovely somersault in her chest at the memory of being swept up into his arms and to his rack.

That earlier satisfying solitary sleep session explained why he was snoring and she was contemplating his breathing pattern. She could have left, but liked winding down with him or had until the snoring began to keep her awake.

It was petty on her part. All her life she'd been put off by even the thought of snoring. Her father hadn't snored therefore in her mind no man should snore. She'd done what she had to do to avoid the annoyance. Most of her lovers were surprised to find Laura was a woman who didn't need to be held all night. More often than not, she would tryst at the man's place and leave after pleading an early meeting or some other excuse. It was an easy way to skip finding out if a lover snored.

Richard Adar could never stay over because of his wife and his position. No, strike that Laura corrected, make that his title because he never gave much thought to his position in bed as long as he ended up being satisfied. He'd become a habit and a convenience that occasionally met her needs. Laura might miss Richard in some political matters, but that was it. Bill was far more gratifying in emotional, intellectual and physical situations. She liked to believe she was Bill's equal.

Her Admiral didn't always see it that way. He insisted on sleeping on the outside edge of his rack or her bed to protect her. She'd wryly pointed out that if Cylons or someone else broke through the guards and doors, her being on the inside would only delay the inevitable by seconds.

As she'd expected, his stubborn nature, paired with his chivalrous streak, didn't budge. She found herself sandwiched between Galactica's wall and the wall of his back. She hated to admit the strength and bulk of both made her feel secure.

Laura wasn't immune to aging. Her own concession was needing to use the bathroom or the head in this case at least once a night. She'd have to disturb her snoring companion because hurdling over his supine form wasn't an option. Another sign that youth had flown. Besides, a wake up might just break the snoring cycle.

She nudged Bill gently to shift him over or at least onto his back to allow her to climb out. She pushed a little harder, hissing, "Bill, let me out."

He started awake and rolled to a sitting position mumbling. She scrambled around him letting her hand trail over Bill's hair and down his bare arm.

When she returned she had expected him to be back in dreamland and on his way to snoring again.

Instead, she saw him standing next to the bed with his back towards her. She squinted to make out what he was doing. Those large calloused hands that made such magic on her body were smoothing the sheets and blankets on his rack. They'd done a good job of rumpling them and he must have remembered she hated the disarray.

Her breath caught when he turned and gave her a small, sleepy grin. He held out a hand. She returned the smile and her eyes shone as she grasped her lifeline.

He ushered her back into the simple bed and slipped in beside her. She pulled the covers over them and found herself pillowed on his chest. That position meant he was more likely to snore when he fell back to sleep.

She heard him murmuring small comforting sounds that alternated with tiny kisses showered on her hair. A flush of shame moved through her as she realized how shallow she'd been about his snoring. It was a small price to pay for this kind of affection. She'd never found herself this loved or cherished in her life.

Let him snore. She decided it might not be music to her ears but it was the essential beat for her long dormant heart.

Laura drifted off to sleep contentedly as Bill's breathing settled into the ragged sound of snoring.

###