Miriah had been working alongside Lana for a few hours. They'd selected teams for recruitment, and talked via holo to officials on three worlds about the Alliance. They were silent, but the feeling was of contentment. Suddenly, Miriah spoke.
"How did the Zakuulans know we were going to Coruscant?" she asked, getting a surprised look from Lana.
"I wondered when you would mention that," Lana said, sitting back in the chair and looking at her friend. "I have it narrowed down, but I am contemplating a trap. What are your thoughts on it?"
Miriah leaned back in her chair, thinking. "It would have to be someone who was either very close to you or had access to your messages, since I knew nothing about it until we were about to leave."
"Agreed," Lana said softly. "That's what bothers me the most. I have two likely suspects, but I hate to reveal them until I know for sure. I'd hate for you to think less of someone when I'm not sure yet." Miriah nodded, and picked up the datapad again before putting it down.
"I have to think Tora might be involved, simply because she doesn't like me at all," she said, and saw Lana half-smile. "But she doesn't exactly follow you around, either." Miriah chewed on her stylus for a moment. "I thought about Theron, but it doesn't fit."
"No, Theron was totally unaware, he'd been on a Star Fortress mission well before I even got the invitation, and was still there when you left." Lana continued to work on her datapad, wondering if Miriah would come to the same conclusion as she had.
"Senya was also gone, recruiting someone for the Voss," Miriah mused. "That really leaves only one, and one with a tie to the other one I mentioned." She was rewarded with a slight nod from Lana.
"That's about where my thoughts are on it as well," Lana confirmed. "Still, it might be more of an electronic surveillance than an actual traitor. I'll continue to investigate it, but I want to keep it quiet."
"Understood," Miriah said, smiling as Corso stuck his head in the office. "Ready?" she asked, and saw Corso nod. "Want to join us, Lana?"
"I think I'll go check on the different hangars first. You're off duty tomorrow, go and enjoy. I promise, I won't contact you if I can help it." Lana waved at them as they left, and stood, ready to start putting some feelers out about the Coruscant bungle.
Corso was happy, and it shone all around him. He kissed Miriah's hand as they walked to Magdalane and Felix's apartment to have dinner with them and Maura and Aric. Maura had told her sister to not bring anything, and for once, Miriah listened to her. They heard laughter as they rang the door chime, and Aric answered the door. The smells of home cooked food had them both sighing, and they soon sat down to good food and light conversation.
"Remember when we used to cook at the ranch house all the time?" Corso said, patting his full tummy. "This was just as good. The mess hall here is great, don't get me wrong, but it's so good to have home cooked food." He stretched, content.
"I agree," Aric said. "We missed it too much, and need to do this more often. You're off duty tomorrow?" he asked, looking at Miriah.
"I am," she confirmed. "Looking forward to just relaxing." She saw Aric give Corso a confused look, and when she looked at her husband, he had a sheepish grin on his face. "What's going on?" she asked, suspicion forming in her mind.
"We have a little project for your apartment tomorrow," Felix said. "It came in a few days ago, one of the captains picked it up on Tattooine."
"Shouldn't take but a couple of hours," Aric said. "I've got the tools all gathered. You know you'll enjoy having a tub to soak in." Miriah jumped up and clapped her hands, turning to hug Corso.
"Really?" she exclaimed, and his nod confirmed it.
"We want to try it out, too," Mags said, grinning.
"Of course! I'm so excited!" Miriah was beaming, throwing her arms around her husband again.
Lana walked through the smuggler hangar, looking over the stacks of supply crates that had been brought in. Hylo met her halfway through. "Looking for something in particular, Lana?" she asked.
"Just getting a feel for the place," Lana replied. "Wondering if you had any captains or crews that you just weren't sure of." Hylo watched the Sith for a minute before answering.
"You're wondering who might have tipped the Zakuulans about the Commander's trip, aren't you?" Lana nodded, oddly trusting the smuggler. Her honesty about trying to hit on Corso was a refreshing surprise, and Lana respected her for taking responsibility for it. "I have no one that strikes that chord for me, but I will keep my ears to the ground." Lana nodded and thanked the smuggler before making her way to the military hangar. Admiral Aygo had retired for the night, and Lana just sat for a moment, her early morning catching up to her. Theron saw her when she entered and wondered what she was doing. When she sat, he slowly made his way down from the upper walkway, heading in her direction. She felt him in the force, naturally, and looked up when he neared.
"C'mon," he told her. "Let's hurry to the mess hall, we can catch the last serving. I bet you're starving," he said, holding his hand out to her. She took it and stood, but before she could say anything, he'd pulled her into his body. She looked into his eyes nervously, and he grinned at her before putting his arm around her shoulders, guiding her out of the inner base. When they had gathered their food, he led her into one of the small rooms meant for two, and gestured for her to sit.
I hate that I can't control my physical reaction to him, she thought. I know better than to think an agent could possibly have a real relationship, and besides, I don't need that kind of distraction. She couldn't help but feel flattered, but she tried to be realistic. "So, how are the Star Fortresses going?" she asked, trying to distract herself from the way he was looking at her.
"They're going well," he replied, lifting his fork to her for her to taste. She looked at him with a frown before gingerly accepting the bite of muja fruit. "As long as the teams remember to use the thermal shields, we're having great success." He lifted his fork again, but she shook her head, concentrating on her own meal. When they'd finished and put their trays away, Theron took her hand and stated walking toward their apartments. Lana took a few steps but stopped, and Theron turned to her. "What?" he asked.
"I'm not sure what this is," she said, a slight quiver in her voice. "What are we doing here?" She couldn't meet his eyes, and he closed the slight distance between them, pulling her chin up with his finger until she looked at him.
"I can't put words to it, but I'm drawn to you, Lana. It's not my training, nor am I using techniques I learned as a spy. I simply want to be with you," he told her, his voice caressing her as much as his eyes were. She was silent as she processed his words, wondering if she could trust him. Her force was telling her he was truthful, but her heart was doubtful. Still, even just a superficial relationship was better than being lonely, she reasoned. She nodded, and he smiled at her, taking her hand again and progressing toward their respective residences.
Corso and Miriah saw them as they walked toward their own place, and Corso pointed them out. "Wow," Miriah said. "Never would have put those two together, seeing how they talk to each other."
"Never can tell, darlin'. They might be as good as we are," he replied. They went inside their apartment, and Corso took her in his arms. "Dance with me, love," he whispered, and asked the computer to start music. They swayed gently in each others arms, exchanging kisses and loving words. As their kisses grew more passionate, they made their way to their bed, shutting out the world of worries and war.
Theron turned to Lana at her door. "I enjoy seeing you do normal things, like eat dinner and try to not talk about work." He smiled when she blushed, and before she could formulate reasons why she shouldn't, he kissed her, a feathery soft kiss full of promise but no demands. She was still trying to fathom what she was feeling when he lifted his head. "Good night, Lana. Sweet dreams," he said, kissing her fingertips before letting go of her hand and turning to walk down the hall to his own door. She stood there a few moments, and when she went inside, she told herself not to overthink it. He's lonely, she told herself, and admitted she was, too. Her heart was a little lighter when she fell into bed, asleep almost before she'd stretched out.
The apartment door chime sounded, and Miriah dragged herself out of bed. They'd enjoyed themselves last night, and she drew her soft robe around her still naked body as she walked to the door. When she saw Aric and Felix there, she blushed. "Sorry, guys, I forgot you were coming this morning," she told them, her hair sleep mussed and her eyes still a little blurry.
"It's fine," Felix told her, patting her arm as they entered. "I'm sure it's nice to be able to sleep in a bit." Aric only snickered as Corso ran out of the 'fresher, pulling a shirt over his head. Miriah shuffled to the kitchen to make caffa for them, and Corso followed.
"I'm sorry, darlin'. I thought they'd be here later," he whispered, kissing the back of her neck. As she shivered, she turned into his arms.
"Don't be sorry, sugar. Later, we can use the tub together," she whispered back, running her hands under his shirt. He lowered his head to kiss her, and broke apart only when Aric entered the kitchen.
"Do I smell… aww rats," he said. "Sorry." He turned and left the kitchen, and Miriah giggled.
Lana made her way into her office a little later than usual, since she'd slept well. Better than well, she thought, and smiled to herself. She'd even eaten breakfast, something she didn't do often. She'd started working on her next set of recruitment groups when her datapad chimed with a message. Hylo, she saw, and stood to walk to the smuggler hangar. She found herself looking for Theron on her way, but she didn't see him, and when she turned into the smuggler's area, she instantly saw Hylo walking toward her. "I didn't expect results so quickly," Lana murmured as the younger woman drew close.
"I didn't either, but I overheard something that I can't ignore," Hylo said. "Follow me." Lana went down a narrow hallway and into a small office, and sat in the offered chair.
"What have you discovered?" Lana asked. Her eyes traveled the small space that was immaculately organized.
"I was at the cantina last night, and heard Tora say something about how 'he' was fooled into committing treason. No idea who 'he' was, but she was pretty upset. I got the feeling it was one of Koth's crew, but there were no names mentioned." Hylo didn't look at Lana, but busied her hands with moving items on her desk. "Alcohol was involved, so whether it was accurate or not is anyone's guess."
"True," Lana said, and waited for more. When a few minutes passed without any more from Hylo, Lana stood. "I'll do some more digging, then. I appreciate the intel," Lana said, and Hylo waved her away.
"You never heard anything from me, understand?" Hylo said, her voice low and even, but her meaning unmistakable.
"Of course," Lana said, and quickly made her way out of the area. She wandered around the base, thinking, not wanting to give anyone any ideas about her suspicions. She saw the normal activity, felt the positivity of the workers, and hated thinking that there was indeed someone plotting against this Alliance. She was really hoping there was just a bug or a computer virus that was sending information outside of the base, but it seemed that there was more.
Corso held Miriah in his arms, reclining on the sofa. They'd successfully installed the tub, and were waiting for all the connections to dry before using it. It had been a quiet, restful day for them, and they were enjoying the time together. "This might acutally work out," he said, and felt Miriah nod against his chest.
