Life was not perfect. Talon was fuming, as close as he ever came to losing control. The floor took a beating as his boots stomped up and down the sitting room of the Emberlene Suite in a rare argument with his wife. He spent the night on the uncomfortable bed in the Wild Karrde's sickbay, waking every couple of hours to check on his wife floating in bacta and the nanny droid caring for his sons. He was sleeping soundly at five in the morning when Dankin's shaking of his shoulder woke him for the third time.

"Sorry to wake you, Boss." Dankin waited until Talon swung his long legs over the bed. "One of our warehouses got hit by pirates."

Still half-asleep, Talon slurred, "Where?"

"Rishi, they got everything we stored there from Eloy's deal."

Talon ran a hand over his face. "Our guards?" He feared the worse.

"They killed most and some ran off and hid. All our ships were out on runs."

"Who?" Talon was awake enough to growl the question as he looked in Dankin's eyes.

"It's believed to be Furlang and his two star destroyers."

Talon reached for his clothes. "Gather the crew and get breakfast going here on the Karrde and prepare to leave. Who knows outside you and me?"

"I took the call personally from Leem, who escaped with minor injuries."

"Don't tell anyone why we're leaving. I'll tell them. Shada is in the bacta room for…," he looked at the chrono, "three more hours."

His first stop was to his son's bedroom where the nanny was watching over them. Ignoring her, he went to the basinets and checked them for himself. Not comfortable with droids, he turned and stalked off without asking if they woke or fed since he checked on them at three.

At breakfast in the mess hall, he filled his crew in. "Chin, call all our ships and tell them to meet me on Rishi in six days." He went to his office and called the surface. "I apologize for the early hour, Dravis. How's Billey?"

"We're down to hours. I've been with him all night, as have the other lieutenants. Are you coming down again today?"

"No, I have to leave. I'll send Shada. I may need to hire your entire fleet very soon for a major fight against a very powerful adversary."

"Xhaxin again?"

"No, someone who thinks they're powerful enough to go after me and I'm larger than Xhaxin. I may ask for his help also and the Smuggler's Alliance before this is over though. I'm going to war against someone desperate and powerful. That's all I'm prepared to say at this time. If the smugglers don't prevail, all of us are in danger."

Dravis absorbed the small amount of information. Karrde didn't often ask for help. The last time, Thrawn was after him. His eyes went wide. "Wouldn't have anything to do with Furlang would it?"

"I have to go to Rishi before I'll know for sure. Tell Billey, if he wakes, it was a pleasure to know him."

Dravis nodded, "Keep me in the loop. We won't be going anyplace until we take Billey home for a good old fashioned Corellian cremation."

"Right." Talon signed off and looked at the chrono. He had another hour before Shada was scheduled to come out. Once again, he went to the boy's bedroom, "Leave us," he ordered the nanny. Alone, he took the firstborn from his bassinet and sat in the rocker Shada bought for the room. He gently rocked the baby, who didn't wake. Half an hour later, he switched boys and held Terrik against his chest, his thoughts dark.

He paced while Shada showered and dressed. When he escorted her from the small medical area, she saw the ship's lights on and the crew milling about. "What's going on?"

"I'll tell you in the Emberlene Suite." The nanny was waiting in the corridor with the boys and diaper bag. Shada looked them over before the small family moved from the Wild Karrde to the Diamond Level, unhindered at the early hour, although the ship was bustling while in orbit around Coruscant. Gamblers and tourist had all the rooms rented and shuttles were running non-stop. Booster was making money he planned to use to buy weapons from Talon, if he could keep Calrissian out of the casinos.

In their suite, Shada instructed the nanny to take the boys to their bedroom. She ordered caf from the automatic dispenser and sank onto the sofa, trying to wash the taste of bacta out of her mouth and waited for him to stop pacing and tell her what was happening.

He finished with, "…and you and the babies are staying here."

"I think not. Our place is with you and now that I'm no longer pregnant and getting my shape back. You'll need me in a fight."

He ran his hand through his dark hair, which was starting to gray at the temples. In frustration, he snapped at her, "Our kids need at least one parent and as captain, I order you to stay safe for them…..and me." He saw the fire in her eyes and held his stance, legs spread and hands on his hips, ready for the fight.

"You don't stand a chance going up against two star destroyers. Why don't you cut your losses and don't risk any more lives." She tried to reason with him instead of the yelling he expected, but his order irked her.

"They won't stop and I'm their target as much as when Thrawn singled me out. I don't know exactly what Furlang's plans are, but I'm going to hunt him down and stop him. I was on the run constantly when Thrawn was on the loose. I don't want to live like that again."

"I didn't spend the night in bacta not to get laid for the months it might take to neutralize Furlang." She had a thought and acted. Sitting her caf down, she rose and slipped her arms around his neck. "I will make it worth your while, taking me."

He felt himself wavering. His hands didn't obey his brain and settled on her waist, pulling her against him. "I couldn't live with myself if anything were to happen to you and the boys. Tell you what, let me go to Rishi and check out what happened. I'll let you know if you should join me. For all I know, Furlang is waiting for me. Please, Shada." He felt his rage at being attacked dispersing, but his mind was made up.

"You know he's coming for you. With me on your ship, you'll not be so rash." She reached her hand down and rubbed over his pants and felt his response. "You want me and six days to Rishi could be put to good use." Her free hand took his and placed it on her breast. Never had she resorted to woman's whiles to sway him and she was curious if he were susceptible.

He squeezed her breast and let go. "No, Shada. I know what you're doing and I'm not most men. When I take you, it won't be through manipulation, although I do enjoy you seducing me. Don't ever use sex to get your own way or withhold it if you don't." He gently pushed her away and went back to pacing the floor, annoyed he couldn't control his nether parts around her.

Chagrined, she forced his rejection not to turn into a shouting match and spoke in an even tone. "When are you going?"

"Right now." He disappeared to their bedroom and packed while she stayed in the sitting room and felt rejected. This was no way to run a marriage, telling her to stay home like a good little wife. If he thought that, he had another think coming.

He came out, bag in hand and looked at her sitting on the sofa drinking caf. "Walk with me to the Karrde."

Without a word, she fell in step with him.

"I know you want to go," he broke the silence. "You know my reasoning's for keeping you safe. I need you to do a couple things for me. First, I need you to find that rogue Mistryl and have her provide security for Eloy so I can stop paying for him. He wants to get off this ship and on with his life. Also, I talked with Dravis and told him you'd stop in and see Billey today. And third, stop sulking, I hate it."

"Good. I humored you when I was pregnant when you shoved me away from the Corporate Sector. Don't expect me to humbly accept being shoved away again." She let anger creep into her tone so he knew exactly how she felt.

Talon remained silent for the rest of the way. At the bottom of the ramp, he slipped his hand behind her neck and gave her a perfunctory kiss. "I'll call from Rishi when I know something."

She watched him stalk up the ramp and it rise. Stepping back, she watched his ship lift and glide away. Forcing down anger at being treated like an employee, she went back to her quarters.

Nawara was making his morning rounds when he saw the Wild Karrde slip through the magcon. He was under the impression they would be docked indefinitely and probably go with Dravis' convoy back to Billey's home world. He sat in the captain's chair and scanned the news. He couldn't find where Billey died. He was lost in his searching when Booster cleared his throat. He looked up. "Either I'm getting old and hard of hearing or you're learning to walk normal."

"Out of my chair, betok. What were you looking for?" Booster exchanged places with him and smirked at his Rylean insult about the size of Nawara's anatomy.

"The Wild Karrde just left and I wondered if Billey died and they were going to the funeral."

"Did he?"

"Didn't see anything." Nawara looked at the system and the known ships on his sensors. The Wild Karrde was a blip with its name on top. It was making for the edge of the system as fast as the law allowed. They watched as it vanished off the screen indicating it went to hyperspace.

"He's taking the Parlemian Trade Route someplace," Booster commented. It was odd that Talon would leave without saying goodbye.

Shada knew once Talon set his foot down she couldn't change it. For now, he got his way, but he wasn't keeping her across the galaxy. She entered a restaurant for breakfast after going back to the Emberlene suite and checking on the babies. The nanny had everything under control and she watched her change a diaper with its soft, simulated hands.

"Do you wish me to bathe the babies?" The droid asked.

"Yes, do you have enough milk for me to be gone all day?"

"Yes, but not tonight." Nana looked like an elderly grandma and Shada decided she liked this upgraded model.

Now she was looking at the menu, hungry, but nothing looked good. 'Let's face it, I'm depressed.'

"How come you're not on the Wild Karrde?" Nawara sat across from her without being invited.

"Because Karrde is throwing his weight around." She punched up a large sweet roll and more caf, hoping the sugar cheered her up.

"Jari is joining me for breakfast. May we sit with you?"

"Please do." She forced a smile.

Jari hurried in and brushed her lekku against his as she sat. "How are the babies? I haven't seen them since they were born."

"Stop by and see them. I'll be here for who knows how long. Talon ditched me for a problem on Rishi, so he'll be gone at least a month. I'm going to take a shuttle to the surface and visit Billey."

"If you want, I'll fly you. I was asked to speak at the academy this morning," Nawara offered.

"Thank you, I accept."

When Shada approached Billey's room, she saw a dozen of his people standing guard. Ellor was talking to one of the crew and saw her approaching. "D'ukal, Karrde was here bragging that you enlarged his organization by two, congratulations."

Shada put a hand on the Duros' arm. "Next time he wants more people, I'll tell him to hire." They shared a laugh and she sobered. "Can I go in?"

He nodded and opened the door for her.

The raspy breathing got louder as she approached the bed in the dim light. She could see tubes taking a pink, frothy fluid directly from his lungs. Reaching out, she took his clammy hand in hers.

His eyes opened to see who was with him and croaked, "Good, it's not your husband holding my hand again." He stopped to cough as he laughed. "You can hold my hand anytime."

Dravis, who was resting in a chair rose and pushed up a chair for her to sit in. She smiled her thanks and looked back to Billey.

He continued, "This dying business is getting old. Might have them slip me something to help with the process. Dravis has a business to run now. He shouldn't be babysitting an old, dying man." Again he ended in a cough.

She let him settle back on the pillow before speaking, "Talon wimped out on being with me for the birth of the boys. Booster manned up though."

Billey chuckled, "I heard details from both of them. You'd think Booster sired them by the way he's crowing about you naming one for him."

"We also made him guardian."

"He told me that also. I'm sorry I won't get to see them grow up."

"There's nothing they can do?" Shada gave his hand a squeeze.

"I'm old, my time is up. They can't cure aging."

"How old are you, Billey?"

"I'm ninety eight."

"That's not all that old. Humans can go as far as one-thirty and beyond."

"It's not the years, but the miles; too many trips to the bacta tank."

Dravis put a hand on her shoulder. "Time's up."

Billey glared at him. "I'm still in charge. She can stay. I rather enjoy looking at a pretty face after so many ugly ones, like yours."

Dravis backed off.

"They care about you."

"I should have taken you from Karrde. He better take good care of you."

"He's overprotective. That's why I'm here instead of with him."

"Dravis gave me his message, 'it was a pleasure to know me'. I saw promise in him thirty years ago and he's surpassed my expectations. I trust his son's will take after him."

"Do you really think Karrde will allow his progeny to be anything but his duplicates?" Shada suspected Talon was developing plans for his boys to take over even at their young age.

"Where is Karrde?" Billey struggled to breath and the medic droid appeared on the other side and scanned his chest. Quietly it increased the pressure of fluid draining from his lungs. Shada waited and felt Dravis behind her.

"Billey, you need to rest," Dravis reminded him.

Billey was silent, taking deep breaths. His breathing returned to its raspy, gurgling and he spoke, "I'll have eternity for sleep. What is Dravis not telling me, Shada?"

Shada looked over her shoulder and saw Dravis give her a slight nod and spoke quietly, "Give him something to think about."

"Talon's Rishi warehouse got raided. He thinks Furlang did it and is going to investigate."

Billey's eyes lit up. "And Dravis was keeping that from me...idiot. Dravis?"

"Yes, Boss?"

"Karrde ask for your help yet?"

"He put me on notice."

"Go, go now. My body will be in the freezer when you return to collect it. Karrde doesn't have enough ships to take Furlang on. Consider this my last order."

Dravis saw the old fire in his eyes. "I told Karrde I would help him after your funeral."

"He might be dead before me then. Go help your friend." Billey closed his eyes and his hand went slack in Shada's. At first, she thought he died, but his breathing was coming out in soft wheezes. Exhaustion took over and he fell asleep. She rose and left with Dravis.

She didn't speak until they were in the hallway. "Talon needs all the help he can round up. Unofficially it is Furlang."

"I don't want Billey to die alone." Dravis was torn.

"Suppose I round up a few friends and he won't. I wouldn't put it past Billey to have a holdout blaster under his pillow if he wakes and sees you still here."

"It's on the right." They shared a smile. "I hate to leave him like this, but admit waiting is hard."

"When it's your turn to go, I hope it's not like this." Shada gave his arm a squeeze.

Shada called Lando, who was staying at the Republic, and told him Dravis was pulling out per Billey's last request.

Soon he and Han entered the room together and found Shada sitting by the bed. "I have to get back to the babies, thanks for coming."

Han, being the gentleman, helped her up. "We'll break out a sabacc deck and have Billey on his feet in no time."

Shada left the hospital and took an aircab to the academy. She was stopped at the entrance. "I have a message for Nawara Ven. I'm supposed to meet him. Could you tell him I'm here?"

"I'll tell him." Corran sidled up to her. "She's with me," he told the Wookie guard who growled something and motioned them inside the complex.

"It pays to know people." She smiled at Corran. "I was afraid I was going to have to break in."

They were walking down a wide, long hall with doors lining each side. "What brings you to the surface and more importantly searching for Ven?" He asked.

"I came down with him. He said he'd take me back after his lecture to new pilots."

"Just so happens, I'm recruited this afternoon to talk to them about being a Jedi pilot. I think I'll start with the time my ship was blown up at Distra. I know Ven will tell them how he lost his leg just floating in space minding his own business." Corran paused. "You know, when I was coming down in my X-Wing, I saw Dravis and his people leaving. Did Billey die?"

"No, Talon had to go take care of a problem and Dravis is going for backup."

"Who's watching Billey?"

"Lando and Han, but I'll go back after feeding the boys." She didn't want to say being milked.

Corran saw his chance. "Mind if I drop by?"

"I don't see why not."

Corran opened a door and she preceded him into a large auditorium with pilots sitting near the front and Nawara on the raised stage, talking.

They found seats in the back and waited for him to finish. About ten minutes later, he did just that and dismissed the pilots for lunch. He limped to where they were sitting. "Once again I get to relive my glory days."

"What did you find to talk about for two hours?" Corran was half kidding.

"You."

Shada laughed and stood. "I hate to break this up, but I need to get back to my babies."

Talon sat in the captain's chair thinking about Shada's attempt to seduce him. He should have taken her up on her offer before telling her no. The crew sensed he wanted to be alone as they got about the business of running the ship. Night came and he went to mess for a meal, having missed lunch. He spent the afternoon looking at holographs of his son's and Shada and making plans for them. He had taken several and decided they weren't enough. She would have to send him more holo's when he got to Rishi.

Dankin braved the boss and sat across from him at the table. "Shada decide to stay behind?"

"No. I don't want my family in a war zone." Talon's tone warned him to shut up.

Shada thanked Nawara for the ride and hurried to her quarters. Rushing into the bedroom, she stopped and looked at Nana and the babies without speaking.

"Good afternoon, Mistress," Nana greeted her.

"Fill me in on everything you did."

"I'll show you." A holoprojector started and Shada watched while the babies were bathed, and she had to admit, the droid was more adept than her. The feedings and diaper changes were also recorded.

She was relieved. "You did very well with them. The lullabies were a nice selection."

"Thank you."

Shada was slightly surprised; most droids relished in providing their credentials and basked in praise, like Threepio. She milked herself dry and provided enough milk for the night and next day. Eating at a cantina near her suite, she headed to a shuttle for a lift to the surface.

In a different docking bay near the front of the ship were housed shuttles. Beings of many species milled about waiting a transport. Entering a shuttle, she almost took a seat when she noticed who the pilot was and moved to sit near him. "Wedge, what are you doing?"

Wedge spun in his chair and gave her a wide grin. "I told Booster I would help him out as long as it involved flying. What are you going to the surface for?"

"Stay with Billey. He's not going to be with us long."

Wedge sobered. "I went to see him a couple days ago."

"I'm looking for people to sit with him. I'm going to spell Lando and Han right now."

"You shouldn't be sitting up all night with the babies. Speaking of which, Leia is planning a party. Did you hear?"

"Leia called me yesterday and we agreed to postpone it until Billey is gone. I have to go on a trip for the business soon and will try and fit a party in."

Booster stomped up the gangway and set in the co-pilot's seat. He looked surprised when he saw Shada. "Thought you flew out with your husband?"

"No, he wanted the little woman to stay home and nurture the children."

"Be gentle on him when you get revenge." Booster raised the ramp and Wedge lifted them off.

"Are you going to see Billey?" She asked when they cleared the Errant Venture and got permission to land.

"That's where I'm headed, you?"

"Dravis left to help Talon, and I told him I would stay with Billey."

Booster cranked his head around. "What's going on with Talon?"

"One of our warehouses got hit by pirates." She left it at that.

They parted from Wedge at the spaceport with his offer to come if needed.

Booster opened the door to the room expecting to find Lando and Han. He was surprised to see Corran sitting by the bed. Anger overrode his need to be quiet and he stalked across the room and ripped Corran from the chair by the scruff of his tunic. "You were told to stay away. You didn't insult him with your pardon crap, did you?"

"No, I never mentioned it, I swear." Surprised, he forgot to use his Jedi training to break free. "I came here after my speech and offered to sit with him."

"Why do you care about someone you'd have locked up at one time?" Booster let him go.

"I gave him permission to come," Shada interjected.

"And Talon and I told him no," Booster retorted.

Shada remained quiet. Talon or Corran hadn't told her that.

"Do I have to die to get some peace around here," Billey rasped.

Booster sat in the chair and put a hand on his arm. "Probably."

"Did I hear Shada in the room?" Billey was too weak to move his head.

"I'm here." Shada moved to the side of the bed and rested her hand on his shoulder.

His eyes rolled in her direction. "Dravis get off?"

"He's long gone. Talon will need his help, again I thank you." She noticed in the hours she was gone, his breathing was worse and he weaker.

"I need to talk to Booster alone," Billey wheezed.

Shada and Corran went to the hall. "I didn't know you weren't supposed to visit Billey, why?" Shada turned on him.

He shrugged. "I wanted to see the great smuggler one last time. When he was still ambulatory, I avoided him."

"I'm having a hard time buying your story. What were you pumping Billey for? You know I'll find out." Shada knew by the way his eyes shifted everyplace but her, she was on to something.

Finally, he looked her in the eye. "Okay, I wanted Billey's take on the relationship between Karrde and Booster."

Her face was as impassive as Talon's ever was. "Does this have something to do with Booster being guardian to our sons?"

"Yes and no. Karrde is a mystery. His organization is clandestine and as ex-CorSec, I'm curious about him and his relationship to Booster. They go back decades, but neither open up about the other." He took a deep breath and asked, "What do you know about their friendship?"

"What I know isn't public information and I won't divulge what they say to each other. My advice is, get another hobby. If you don't like his relationship with Booster, take it up with him, in fact…" she opened the door and marched back inside with Corran reluctantly following. Going to the bed, she interrupted, "Excuse me. Billey, what did you and Corran talk about?"

"He wanted to know about your husband and Booster."

Booster glowered and stood, towering over his son-in-law. "You want to know something about me, you don't go behind my back, boy."

"You wouldn't tell me if I asked, so why bother. I was just curious why the two of you were so close after he had you beat up."

Billey started laughing. "I'd forgotten about that, Booster. The boy here didn't ask me that. He wanted to know if I knew your business dealings with Karrde. I told him I wouldn't tell him if I knew. Don't stab my friends in the back to CorSec types." The long speech left him struggling to draw a breath.

Booster sat back down, Corran forgotten as he wished he could help Billey.

Shada watched Corran and he wondered if his Jedi training were sufficient if she decided to try and kill him.

He moved close to her. "I was trying to find out how enemies became trusted friends, that's all."

"They were never enemies." She motioned for him to follow and moved back to the hall. "If Booster hadn't gone to Kessel, he'd rival Talon for control of the underworld. They are friends and business partners and rivals, like Billey with them. Are you planning on destroying their friendship?"

Her blunt question took him by surprise. "No, Shada, I was just nosey. I don't mean to cause trouble and am trying to like Booster. I like and admire Talon. He's such an enigmatic person, he intrigues me. I suppose he's an open book to you, being married to him and all."

"As much as Mirax is open to you. If Talon wanted everyone to know his business, he'd give interviews or write an autobiography. Don't hold your breath. I think you should avoid Booster," was her warning and she slipped back into the room, shutting the door in his face.

Corran headed to the academy spaceport where his X-Wing was parked and went back to the Errant Venture. He told Mirax about his encounter. "Now Karrde will find out I was enquiring about him," he complained.

"Or maybe he'll tell you what you want to know, but don't hold your breath."

"Even you? Billey and Shada each said the same thing in various terms."

"Good advice." She changed the subject.

Shada approached the bed and listened to Booster tell Billey about life on the ship. She knew whatever they discussed in confidence was over. She pulled a chair up to Billey's head and squeezed his shoulder. His face was gray and skin clammy. As much as she wished for long life with Talon, she didn't want him to die like this. She listened to the sound of Booster's voice and felt herself drifting off. She didn't know how long she slept, but Booster's gentle shaking woke her. She looked at Billey and he wasn't breathing. "When?"

"A few minutes ago. We let you sleep for two hours. An hour ago, Billey slipped into a coma and went in his sleep."

She put a hand over Booster's for comfort, more for her than him. Contact with the living felt good.

Booster continued, "I've decided to put him on the Venture until Dravis can get him buried. He wouldn't want him left here."

"Billey would approve," she agreed.

"I told him I was going to and he accepted. I'm going to miss him."

"Talon will also. He looked up to Billey."

"He mentored both of us when we were kids, just entering the business." They stopped talking when the body removal droids entered and placed the body in a casket. "Take it to the roof. I've called for a shuttle from my ship to take it from there."

Wedge was flying the shuttle. Shada didn't say much and let Booster fill him in on the flight to the ship. In her suite, she sent a message to Talon for when he dropped out of hyperspace. He should be nearing the intersection of the Corellian Trade Spline and Run soon and would get the message. She sat before the holovid and hit record. "I just got home and it's three in the morning. Billey passed away an hour ago. Booster moved him to the ship and is sending a message to Dravis, who is following you per Billey's final order. I'll leave to find the rogue Mistryl soon. Leia is planning a party for us. Of course, you will miss it. I don't know how long Booster will be in orbit or his next destination." She paused and looked in the lens, "I don't know where I'll be when you get to Rishi. I love you." She hit send and with a heavy heart, went to bed.

Talon was asleep when the ship dropped out of hyperspace to navigate onto the Corellian Run. He woke when the vibrations changed and rose. He looked at the chrono. It was time to get up anyway and he slept late. He wasn't surprised, as he didn't drop off until the early hours. Two nights of marginal sleep caught up with him. He went to the mess for caf, avoiding his own kitchen. That was her domain. He entered the bridge and saw he had personal messages and retreated to his office. "Play messages in order of arrival."

The first was from Dravis. "Karrde, Billey is sending me to help you as his final order. We're running the space lanes about six hours behind you."

The next was from Gillespee. "Talon, got here and did a survey. Sending attached footage." Talon noticed an attachment and hit pause to look at the damage. He finally hit resume. "I will bury our eight guards who gave their life and pay the widows a stipend of a year's salary. See you when you arrive. Oh, Faughn, Torve and Lachton are here."

The next was from Shada. He listened and looked at her tired, strained face and his heart melted. He played her short message twice. Her not being with Booster bothered him. He thought she had a way to contact a Mistryl without leaving the safety of the star destroyer and planned on being present to add his plea when she contacted them on the holonet. He missed her and the boys more than he would admit. "Talon Karrde, doesn't miss anyone," he muttered and stabbed the next message with a furious finger.

Booster was last. "I see you left without a word to your host. I'll forgive you for another bottle. Shada is tired and had a long, hard day. Billey gave me a final message. He has some items he wants to go to your son's when they get older, like about eighteen. He told Dravis so when we get to the compound; we'll get them to you. He admonished me to watch your back and take care of your sons if necessary. He also told me, Shada is the best thing to ever happen to you so don't screw it up. His exact phrase was, 'You may be brilliant at smuggling and business building, but are a total idiot where women are concerned.' His phrase and my sentiments also. Truth be told, he was worried you'll do something stupid and drive Shada off. He couldn't tell you, but passed it on to me. He wants you to keep a diary of your love for Shada, little things you do together and for each other. He knows you keep a business journal, but he wants this to be personal. It will make love grow. Shada shouldn't know about it, but it's something your sons should inherit when you die so they understand your reserved personality isn't due to lack of love, but because you're a kriffen asshole." Booster grinned and the screen went blank.

Talon chuckled. He'd miss Billey, but if something were to happen to Booster, he'd truly grieve. He thought about what Booster told him and could imagine Billey giving that advice on his deathbed. Billey always did like to think he was the supreme authority on relationships. He was a consummate romantic, rare for a smuggler. For the next two days, he holed up and wrote everything he loved about Shada and did so to his sons. He started by adding the message from Booster instructing him to do so.