Corso wandered into his wife's office and smiled. She was kicked back in her chair, reading a datapad and singing softly to herself. "It's been a long time since I've heard you sing, darlin'. Your voice has lost nothing with age." She abruptly sat up, blushing.

"Stars, Cor, didn't know anyone was around." She stood to receive his kiss, but he drew her to him instead, the normal, light office kisses lost to his searching mouth. She dropped the datapad on the organized desk and ran her hands along his back, under his shirt. "We just had our day off," she murmured breathlessly, "but I wish I could just leave now."

"I swear, you two are worse than teenagers," Aric said, joining them in Miriah's office. They didn't part, making Aric sigh again.

"Okay, okay, we'll behave," Miriah said, pulling Corso's shirt back into place. He attempted to smooth her hair, where his hands had been buried, and kissed her nose. "What's up, Aric?"

"We just got in a request, a special mission. I think we should all go," he told them, gaining their interest.

"After the last trip, I'm not sure Lana will approve," Corso said with a grin.

"Let's ask her," Miriah said, seeing Lana in the hallway and calling out to her. "Lana, we need your input." The blonde Sith made her way into the already crowded small office and stared.

"Commander, what's happened to your hair.." She saw Corso blush and look away, and realized what he'd done. "Oh, nevermind. What's going on?" She moved to the only open space, beside Aric, and waited.

"Ask Theron, he has the details," Aric said. "Let's go out to the war room." They followed the large Cathar out of the small space, and found Theron at the strategy map.

"Ah, I knew I'd be seeing you guys," he joked, moving to stand near Lana. She wouldn't meet his eyes, but couldn't deny the effect he had on her. "We've been monitoring someone on Zakuul, someone who can only be described as an anarchist. She's known as Firebrand. She lives to breed dissent and destruction."

"So why would we want her?" Miriah asked, taking Corso's hand, relaxing when he threaded his fingers through hers. "Sounds like trouble to me."

"She has a broad following, among the bored and disenfranchised on the planet," Theron explained. "There are those who trade holos, artwork, and autographs of her. She's famous, or infamous, depending on how you look at it."

"But you didn't answer the question," Lana said. "Why do we want to recruit her? Her demolitions experience? We have experts here already."

"Her main goal is to bring down Arcann's 'perfect society'," Theron said. "I'd think that her and her followers might be interested in joining forces to that end." He looked at Lana, and when she wouldn't meet his eyes, looked at Miriah. Her face was thoughtful, mulling over the information.

"Scorpio has offered to lure her out, so that you can talk to her," Theron told them then, and Lana jerked her head up at that.

"We need to think about this for a bit before we rush off to Zakuul," she said, and turned to leave. They watched her leave, not sure what to do next. Finally, Miriah turned to Corso.

"Let's have some lunch, sugar, then we'll figure out the next step," she said. "Aric, find Maura and meet us in the mess hall." Aric nodded and hurried out of the room. Miriah turned to her husband. "We could take about ten minutes? In our place?" she suggested.

"Ten minutes wouldn't be enough with you, darlin'. Not for what I have in mind," he replied softly, his voice meant only for her. He brought their joined hands to his lips and kissed her fingertips. "We'll have time, later." She sighed, and they made their way out of the secured area.

Aric found Maura and pulled on her hand, distracting her from watching a holovid of a training session. "Hey, hon," she said absently. "I'm thinking we need to send this one back through..." She trailed off as he pulled her against him. "Been hanging out with Corso and Mir, eh?" she asked with a grin. He growled low in his throat and kissed her. When they parted, Aric took her hand again and led her out toward the center of the base. "So, lunch?"

Aric stopped and kissed her again. "Now, lunch. After, play," he said, and she could see the want in his eyes. The way he looked at her had her heating up as well, and she agreed with a nod. They made their way to the table they usually sat at, seeing her sister heading toward her, Corso meeting Aric at the food tables.

"What did you two do to Aric?" Maura asked. "Not that I'm complaining, but he's not usually so willing to ignore work for sex." Miriah looked at her sister with a raised eyebrow.

"He just happened to walk in on a kiss, that's all," Miriah said, trying to look innocent but not succeeding. Maura snorted. "Have you seen Devin lately?" At that, Maura laughed out loud, startling nearby diners. "I know he and Mia have, uh, realized the pleasures of being together," and here, Maura put her head on the table, giggling uncontrollably. Miriah waited for her sister to catch her breath, tapping her fingers on the table. Finally, Maura sat up and wiped tears off her face.

"Sorry, Mir, but there's something about this planet that makes everyone want to hook up," she explained.

Miriah looked thoughtful. "Well, I haven't noticed anything different," she said, while Maura laughed again. "Maybe you are all just realizing how fortunate we are to be with people we love." Maura grew quiet, but still had a smile on her face.

"Maybe you're right," she agreed, and saw the men heading back. "At least we know we're loved, right?" Miriah agreed, and when Corso sat her food in front of her, she smiled, thankful to be here with him.

They didn't dare discuss the mission out in the open hall, but they enjoyed their lunches, and when Aric alluded to a trip, Maura just grinned and nodded, figuring he'd tell her when they were in a more secure place.

Lana had returned to her desk, and was intently reading reports on Firebrand when Theron approached unnoticed. She looked at him as he perched on the corner, and waited for him to speak. When he only looked at her, she returned to her reading. Finally, she couldn't stand waiting any longer. "Why do you want this woman here?" she finally asked him.

"I don't. I just want the people who follow her to know that she's allied with us," he said. He almost thought he detected a note of jealousy in her voice, but figured he was just hoping.

"I don't know, I'm not sure Miriah should be going there again so soon," Lana said, tapping her lip with her finger as she mused. "There has to be a limit on her exposure there. I mean, it's not like she's ordinary looking."

"Which is why I think sending her sister and brother in law along is a plus. They work well together, and can pose as just a group of friends in Old Town."

"Let me talk to the specialists, and I'll let you know something tomorrow. Meanwhile, I'm going to find some lunch," she told him, standing. He didn't move out of her way, though, and she finally went around the other side of her desk. He followed her silently until they'd reached the food tables, and again when she went to sit. She could see Miriah and Corso still sitting, smiling at each other and talking, and it made her want. Want to have someone special, want to be the object of such adoration. She was lost in watching their interaction and didn't realize Theron was so close. When he spoke, his warm breath feathered over her ear, and she suppressed the shiver.

"I find myself unable to think when you have that dreamy look on your face," he whispered, and she ducked her head, her blush making her ears pink.

"Sorry," she said meekly, but then she sighed. "I don't know how to do this, Theron. This dance. I have no experience..."

"No experience with emotions? With passion? And you're Sith?" he asked, clearly curious.

"I...I..Theron, this isn't appropriate," she stammered, wiping her sweating lip with the napkin crumpled in her shaking hand.

"What's inappropriate? We're just talking, Lana. Getting to know one another a little better," he replied, a gentle smile on his face. "In case you haven't figured it out, Lana, I'm attracted to you. I don't usually do relationships, but I'd like to find out how it works. I mean, look at the Commander. She's a fighter, a mother, a healer, and she and Corso have this wonderful, deep relationship." He saw when she turned her eyes to them again. "Don't you wonder what that's like?"

Lana felt her heart straining in her chest. This conversation was bringing back memories she'd thought long buried, and it was affecting her. "I thought I had it once, and it turned out to be a figment of my imagination," she replied, a slight tremor in her voice. "I'm not at all anxious to be hurt like that again." They sat in silence a few minutes before Theron stood. She followed him with her eyes, and thought he was just going to leave, when he turned back to her.

"Just food for thought, but I would never hurt you, Lana. You're too important to me," he said, and winked as he turned to leave.

Ten minutes later, she was still sitting there, absorbed in her thoughts. Nico Okarr sat across from her unseeing eyes, and she jumped when he chuckled. "I'm sorry," he said. "I came over because, frankly, you looked lost." She had put her hand on her chest when she'd jumped, and now held it out to him.

"I don't believe I've officially met you yet. I'm Lana..." she started.

"Beniko, I know," he said. "Nice to meet you. Are you feeling okay? Need something? Or someone?" he asked, a small smile on his face.

"No, no, I'm fine," she said, rising. "Thank you for checking on me." She put her dishes on the conveyor belt and fled to her office, leaving Nico to shake his head and start his lunch. Felix and Mags sat with him, and they chatted amiably. Nico wondered about the Sith, but decided it wasn't his business, and filed the thoughts away for the time being.

When Nico returned to the smuggler area, he saw Tora and Koth arguing heatedly. Hmm, wonder what's going on there, he mused. They went back and forth, until Tora pushed the Zakuulan in the chest and stalked off. He watched as Koth turned, and waved when he spotted the older man. Nico waved back, and resumed his spot at the small cantina, thinking about all he'd seen that day.

By evening, Lana had decided that they'd send Miriah to Zakuul, but she held that knowledge to herself. She figured one more night of lowered stress would be good for her. She walked slowly to her apartment, realizing that she hadn't seen Theron again since lunch. She sighed, and turned the corner, seeing something against her door. She approached warily, but when she saw the flowers, she felt her heart melt a little. No card, but there was little doubt who'd put them there, and when she entered her apartment and put them on her low table, she found she didn't mind. Not at all.

Miriah managed to keep her hands to herself on the way to their apartment, but once inside, she turned to her husband, who'd been trying to be good himself. They launched themselves at each other, and the trail of clothing led to their bed. Only after they'd managed to totally satisfy each other did they think of food. "I'm not putting clothes on again," Miriah said, stretching languidly.

Corso kissed down her bare arm. "Me either," he whispered against her skin. "But I promised to take care of you." He got up and walked to their small cooler unit, and pulled out containers until he'd put together a platter of finger foods for them. He tucked a bottle of wine under his arm, two glasses in one hand, food in another, and Miriah giggled.

"Now, that's a sight. Food, drink, and a beautiful man, all heading my way," she said, and suddenly she wanted something besides food. He saw the look in her eyes, and accommodated her. Much later, when they were again resting, she propped herself up to drink. "I love you, Corso," she told him, and he took her in his arms.

"I love you, too," he told her, kissing her. Wish we could have a week, just like this, he thought. But I'll take what we have now. She must have felt his thoughts, and snuggled to him, content.