Corso woke with a start, and had to give his body a moment to adjust. He'd fallen asleep, again, on the sofa, the holofeed muted but the video still going. He sat up, rubbed his face, and tried to focus on the chrono on the wall. Almost the middle of the night, and she's still working, he realized, and sighed. He stood, stretched, and walked out into the hallway. She must be in the planning room, he thought, and made his way to the middle of the stronghold. When he hit the top step, he saw her. She was sitting under a huge map, her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands. He stopped to watch her for a moment, seeing the fatigue and stress just in her body language. No one else was in the room, which was unusual, and Corso made his way to her.

Miriah was tired, and it seemed like the more she tried to work the problems out in her mind, the more elusive the solution became. Finally, she'd just sat down and tried to calm her throbbing head. I'm hungry, but nothing appeals to me, she thought. I need Corso. As if she'd called him, she looked up when she heard footsteps, and he was there. He pulled her to stand, and before she could wrap her arms around him, he'd picked her up and over his shoulder, making her giggle. "Tired of trying to sleep alone," he grumbled as he carried her into their apartment. He put her gently on their bed, and before he could stand, she pressed her lips to his. He tried to be gentle, but his own need took over and he responded hungrily, deepening the kiss and at the same time, picking her up so that he could slide over her. Clothes were discarded hastily, and they lost themselves in each other. Miriah finally slept, completely encased in her husband's arms, a deep and restful sleep that she desperately needed. Corso woke only once, and when he realized she was still in his embrace, immediately fell asleep again.

Corso woke first, still holding Miriah against him. Their apartment was carved into rock, and he wasn't sure about the time, but then realized he just didn't care. Miriah had told Lana and the others that she wouldn't let them invade the apartment, and so far, they'd respected her wishes. He didn't want to wake her, but he needed the 'fresher. He gently pulled away from her and covered her with the soft bedding. She must have been beyond tired, he thought. When he'd showered and dressed, he checked on her again. Miriah lay as he'd left her, her breathing even and slow. She's been going nonstop for the past nine days, he thought. I'll get some food and bring it back, and see if she'll actually take today off from everything. He grabbed boots and exited the apartment.

Sarai and Calypso were just finishing breakfast when they saw Corso hurrying up to the food tables. Only a few minutes later, they saw him gather the bags and turn, and waved. He came to where they were sitting, a huge grin on his face. "Hey ladies, how's the morning going for you?" he asked.

"We're going to explore the lake today," Calypso told him, her exuberance evident. "Nana said maybe we could all get together tonight for dinner." Corso considered this and it fit with his plan for Miriah that day.

"Sounds great, sweetheart. Mom is still sleeping, I'm taking some food to her," he told them, and caught the concern on Sarai's face.

"She still sleeping?"

"She was up late working, and has been for over a week now," he told them. "I'm hoping today I can convince her to stay in and rest." Sarai nodded, hoping for the same thing. "I'll message the guys and see about getting dinner organized." Calypso hugged him then, almost making him drop the bags he was holding.

"Love you, Dad. See you soon," she told him, and he kissed her head before hurrying back to the apartment. I sure hope we can get everyone in the same place, he mused. Aric and Maura are putting the training together, and Mags and Felix are working with the Voss contingent. Maybe we all need a break, he figured, as he made his way into the cool, quiet apartment. His hands had been full lately with Calypso and slicing computers that were brought in. He had just put the food down when he heard Miriah say his name, and he ran up to her.

Miriah had slept well, and when she woke, she called for Corso. He came loping toward her, his face relaxed and happy. "Hey, sugar," she said, her voice a low hum which always made a delicious shiver run down his spine. He kissed her good morning, and then again. "Do I smell breakfast?" she asked, tracing his cheek with her fingertips.

"You do, darlin'. Let's go eat," he told her, grabbing one more kiss before standing. Over breakfast, he told her of his thoughts for the day.

"That really sounds wonderful," she told him. "Just let me make sure that nothing has changed that Lana needs me for today." She took a moment to write a message on her datapad and send it, and resumed her breakfast. It felt wonderful to have a leisurely meal, she thought, and have Corso here with me. He took her tiny, bare feet in his warm hands, and she sighed, closing her eyes. A day of being quiet, she mused. I need it. The ding of the datapad made them both jump, and then Miriah smiled. "Good to go," she told him, her smile reaching her eyes. He grinned back at her, before picking her up and taking her to the sofa.

Devin and Mia were testing possible force sensitives for training. Although they worked across the room from each other, Devin could feel her in his own aura, making it always seem as if she were beside him. They'd been uncovering quite a few young adults who were force sensitive enough to train, and sending them to Magdalane and the Voss for further evaluation. Devin was walking one young girl to his aunt, and stopped to talk to her. "Aunt Mags, how are things? Are you doing okay here?" he asked.

"We're fine, Dev. I miss Michi and my granddaughter, but I know she has Logan if she needs anything," she said, putting her hand on his broad shoulder. "Nana wants us all to have dinner together tonight. Apparently, Miriah has a night off."

Devin thought about it for a moment. "Do you think Mia would be welcome?"

Mags swatted at his arm. "Of course, Mia would be more than welcome, silly. She's practically family," she answered, then realized that she's said more than she'd meant to. "I mean, she's been with us since Dantooine," she covered, looking away.

Devin couldn't help but grin. "I know, but I wasn't sure if everyone knew yet."

Mags laughed. "Trust me, hon, everyone knows. All they have to do is look at your faces when you're together. I'll tell Sarai that you'll both be there." Devin left his aunt with a hug and a smile.

Aric and Maura had taken the afternoon off themselves, and when Aric's datapad chimed, they were otherwise occupied. When they finally got around to reading it, they both agreed it would be nice. "Seems like Mir is always tied up these days," Maura noted, as Aric nodded. "Any news on when she'd going out scouting for more talent?"

"I haven't heard Corso say anything, but then he's been pretty busy too," Aric replied. "I know he said he's been at the apartment by himself most evenings, falling asleep on the sofa waiting for her to get in."

Maura sighed. "As long as he was alone when she was frozen, it must be hard on him to be alone now." She pulled Aric on top of her again. "We'll see them later, though." Aric grinned and kissed her, already forgetting about his friend, lost in his wife.

Corso spent the afternoon cuddling with his wife on their sofa. She napped off and on, and they had nibbled on the food in their small cooler, but were content just being with each other. Corso realized he'd been craving her, her presence, and sighed. "What's wrong, sugar?" she asked, turning to face him.

Corso took in the face that he loved, that he'd missed for five long years. Her eyes were still as beautiful as ever, and she hardly had any creases in her fair skin. Her hair, long, luxurious and black as night, had a few silver ones here and there, but not as many as he had. He realized he hadn't answered, and shook his head slightly. "You have no idea how many hours, minutes, that I missed you when you were in carbonite. I thought you were dead, and I'd never see you again. Now, though, that you're back and with me, I just miss being here like this, with you." She opened her mouth to speak, but he put his finger over her lips. "I know, you're doing the right thing, darlin'. I just miss you." She looked at him intently, and he saw the moment the tears built in her eyes. "Shhh, love, it's fine. I'm fine, I just miss you when you're off working, that's all."

"You are the most important thing in my life, sugar. You have to know that," she said, sniffling.

"I do, but it's easy to forget sometimes," he replied, thumbing tears off her cheeks. "This has been an amazing day, and I don't want you to be upset. I just wanted to tell you how I felt. I know we love each other, and always will. As long as you come home to me every day, I will do whatever you need me to do. Just, think about me sometimes?"

"I think about you all the time. In fact, I think Lana and Koth are tired of me mentioning you," she told him before she kissed him. They lay silent but content with just being, until they both napped again, lying in each others arms. They were both startled awake by the knock on their door, and when Calypso came inside, Miriah hugged her daughter. "I'm going to wash my face, then we can go to dinner," Miriah told them.

"Nana has a whole cantina room reserved," Calypso told her dad. "Everyone should be there." Her joy was infectious, and they all made their way happily to the cantina.

Aric and Maura were the first to arrive, and they hugged Sarai. "Mom, you're looking well," Maura said.

"You two seem very happy tonight, and it's good to see," Sarai answered, looking over Aric's shoulder. "There's Devin and Mia, they look so good together." Maura turned to see them and was struck by the unit they made. Magdalane and Felix followed, with Ian close behind. "Calleigh is working tonight, but Colin will be here shortly." They heard Calypso before they saw her, the young girl's excitement carrying through out the room.

When they were all seated at the large round table, Miriah looked around her. This is what matters, she thought. They had a great meal with lots of laughter and love, and when Miriah got a notification from her datapad, she frowned. Corso saw her face, and turned to her. "What's wrong, love?"

"We're leaving tomorrow," she told him. "To recruit a Findsman."

"Where?" he asked, but her face gave it away, and he let out a breath. "I hate Zakuul"

"Me too, but we'll go get him." She glanced around the room. "Let's take Aric and Maura," she said on impulse, but Corso nodded. He went to them, and Miriah saw their positive response. They stayed a little longer, unwilling to break up the party. Calypso and Sarai had already gone up to bed when the others started to drift out, but Corso held Miriah back.

"Let's go have one more drink," he said, and she turned with him back into the cantina. He led her to one of the smaller rooms off to the side, and as they approached the bar, they saw an older gentleman. He was dressed much like any smuggler might be, and Miriah thought maybe he was one of the Alliance captains, but he seemed different, somehow. Battleworn, she thought. She approached the bar, but didn't see anyone serving. She looked around, and caught the older man's eye.

"Well, aren't you a pretty little bird," he said, his graveled voice reminding her of cigarras and whiskey. She looked at him, and saw the intelligence in his gaze. Corso had taken a step between them when Miriah put her hand on his arm. Still no server, she saw, and hopped behind the bar. "Since you're there, make an old man a drink?" Miriah looked amused, but began to pull a couple of bottles out.

"Okay, whatcha drinking?" she asked. The man pushed the low brim of his hat up a notch.

"Make me something as pretty as you are." Miriah shot him a look, but pulled more items from beneath the bar. When she'd finished the concoction, she put a tiny umbrella in the glass and slid it toward him.

Corso continued to look between his wife, who didn't seem perturbed, and the man. He wasn't sure, but he'd heard rumors that Nico Okarr was on the planet, and he figured this guy just might be him. As long as he doesn't try to touch her, I'll only watch, he thought. The man took the light blue drink, and grinned at the umbrella.

"Well," he said, "not gonna make me drink alone, are ya?" Miriah smirked at him and poured a shot of Hutt tequila, then nodded to him as she picked it up.

"Cheers," she said, slamming the shot. The man sipped the blue drink, a little at first, then a big sip before putting it down.

"You look like a pretty bird, but you make a mean drink," the man said, then he held out his hand. "Nico Okarr. You must be the Commander." Miriah took his hand and shook it, and was pleased by his firm grip.

"I am. I hear you might be game to join up with us, is that true?" she asked him, pouring another shot for herself. She handed Corso a bottle of ale, and turned back to Nico.

"You know, I just might. Think you've got room for a big personality like me?" he asked with a big grin. Miriah gave him one of her looks, one eyebrow raised and her eyes sparkling.

"I think I can find a spot. Report to Hylo Visz, she can use your skills." With another handshake, Nico stood. He turned toward Corso.

"You got a good one there," he said, shaking Corso's hand. "She's a keeper." He left he small room, and Miriah burst out laughing.

"On that note, let's get some sleep. Takeoff time is early, so maybe we can get back tomorrow." Corso nodded, put his arm around her, and they ended their day of relaxation together, ready for the next step.