Miriah lay as still as she could while the scanner slowly moved across her body. If this complete physical was clear, then she would contact Lana and try to find out where she was needed. Maura monitored the hundreds of numbers that flew past on the screen, the soft green light hiding her face from her sister. There were some indications that Miriah's peripheral nerves weren't conducting properly, and that her body's chemistry was still a little off. Maura sighed, knowing that this was only a temporary pause, but at least it was a reason to keep Miriah recovering a little longer.
Miriah waited for the scan to finish and sat up, studying her sister. "What's the verdict, Maura?"
Maura explained the scan's findings, and was relieved when Miriah took her advice to rest and hydrate for another week. Miriah didn't even question it, to Maura's surprise. When they had put all the gadgets away, Miriah gave her sister a hug and bounded up the stairs. Well, Maura thought, will wonders never cease? She didn't mind being told to be still. She was still chuckling when she locked the office door.
Miriah had decided that since she shouldn't be training, she'd cook. It always served to ease her mind, and she'd been looking forward to the fresh vegetables the ranch foreman had brought her. She piled her hair up on her head in a messy knot, and humming, started to prepare dinner. She chopped and sauteed, peeled and baked. She sent a message to the boys, telling them when she'd have all the food ready.
Corso worked in his office, something he'd been neglecting. Logan was the official ranch manager now, but Corso still hadn't taught him all the ins and outs of their breeding program, and he was writing another to keep track of where their sold animals had gone. He took off his reading glasses and rubbed his face. Thank the stars Miriah needs another week of rest, he thought. He knew she was in the kitchen, but he missed her. He stood and stretched, then walked out to find her. She was at the sink, but she'd put some music on and was swaying gently. He took her hand and turned the water off. She grinned at him and he bent to kiss her before leading her into the open space between the island and the rest of the room. Pulling her into his arms, he waited for the beat and danced with her, savoring the feeling of her, close and relaxed.
Devin sat on the deck with Logan and Elara. They could see their parents as they danced in the kitchen. Elara sighed. "That's so romantic," she breathed.
Devin smiled. "They've done that all my life," he said simply, and saw Logan nod agreement.
"How can you accept the Jedi 'no emotion' babble when you see them every day, see how much they love each other and how strong it makes them?" Logan asked, reaching for Elara's hand.
"It's not the loving that 's the issue, Lo. We almost lost Dad because he lost Mom, remember? It's also because those you love can be used against you." Devin's smile grew as he saw Corso bend to kiss his wife's neck. "That's primarily a Sith thing, if their Dark Council even exists anymore."
"We'd better get in there before they decide to do something other than have dinner," Logan observed, getting an embarrassed gasp from Elara and a chuckle from his brother. They had already smelled the wonderful aroma of Miriah's favorite baked fish, and were eager to taste everything.
Miriah explained about the need to rest for a week, and everyone present wholeheartedly agreed, even though they knew she would grow bored of it before the first day was done. What Miriah didn't know was that Maura had told Sarai and Magdalane, and the women had made it their mission to keep her occupied.
Maura had gathered up her children and they all had eaten well. When they were done, Aric got their attention. "We have the soldiers out here now, so please respect that they're doing a job and let them do it," he explained. "Colin, you know what we're going to be up against. Are you interested in this mission?" he asked. Colin was nodding before Aric had stopped speaking, and they grinned at each other. "Excellent!" Aric turned to Maura. "What about armor?"
"I have a set for you, Colin, Corso, Logan and me on order. Should arrive next week," she told him, picking up plates for the droid. "I need to order leathers for Miriah, but the measurements I have on file are probably not accurate. Mags said she has plenty of crystals, and Felix just updated his armor. I did inventory in the bunker, we should be okay on ammo for a bit. Ration bars and water systems, too."
Aric hugged her, making her stop moving. "You've been busy, hon. Thanks." He pulled her to him for a kiss, getting groans around the table. "You all just wait, when you find that special one, I'm going to follow you around and make sickening sounds every time you touch each other." As one, the kids rolled their eyes. They knew their parents loved each other, they saw it every day.
Felix watched his wife as she took her beloved lightsaber apart, cleaning it with great care and precision. He remembered her story of how she'd had to build her first one, but the hilt she used now had been her father's. She felt his thoughts and smiled. "I know we're not going out tomorrow, but it calms me to do this, just like cleaning your rifle calms you." He dropped a kiss on her head, and sat beside her.
"True, the smell of gun oil does settle me," he said, "but I wish you'd stay here instead of going on this mission."
"Why?" she asked, a confused look on her face.
"Our granddaughter," he said, and saw her expression change. "Michi and she will miss you greatly." Ian had been with the Jedi so long, they had long realized he loved them but didn't really need them. In fact, since he'd been back on planet, the only time he'd spent with them was when Miriah was first brought home. He'd been at the new temple, working with the other Jedi there. Mags could always speak to him through the force, but she knew Felix missed his son. She made a note to herself to get him back here a little more. She knew that they all had reservations about the misison, but she also knew that she couldn't let her sister go alone.
"Sarai will be here," she said softly, taking his hand. "I know, it's not ideal, but after being without Miriah for so long, I can't let her go without me." Felix looked sad, but he nodded. He'd known the answer he'd get, but had to ask the question. He watched as she inspected each piece of her weapon before replacing in the hilt, and when she'd finished, he took her in his arms, content to know that they would at least be together.
Corso opened his eyes and knew Miriah was awake. He always slept touching her, but now he snuggled her to him, and felt her relax. "What's wrong," he asked. "Pain?" She'd not needed any meds for over a week now, but he was concerned. She shook her head, and put it down on his shoulder. "What do you need?"
"You," she replied, "just you," and scooted up to kiss him. Where normally he would have taken her words as an invitation to get hot and sweaty, he felt the uneasiness underneath them and just held her, waiting for her to talk. He didn't have to wait long before she sighed and walked her fingers over his bare chest. "I don't want Mags and Maura to feel like they have to come along on this mission."
Corso thought for a moment. "Darlin', you might get Mags to stay here, but I can't think of a single reason for Maura to be left behind. She and Aric were instrumental in getting you back, and I'm sure that Colin will be involved. Besides, they have an entire infantry unit camping in their field."
"Logan and Elara are intent on being involved, too," she sighed again.
"The boys don't want you out of their sight. I know that feeling." He lifted her chin and kissed her, starting sweet but ending hot, and he felt the shift in her. Still, she was uneasy.
"We need to make some decisions," she told him, breathless but determined to say her piece. "For Calypso. There's no way she can be a part of this." Corso shifted away enough to look into her eyes.
"I made Sarai her legal guardian in case of my death, not long after you went missing," he told her quietly. "I wasn't sure… I didn't know….hell, I wasn't planning on being around without you." He gently pushed her away and sat up. "I didn't know which way was up, darlin'. It seemed like the right thing to do. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before." Miriah sat up and turned so that she was sitting in his lap.
"You did the right thing, sugar. The only thing you could." She trailed light kisses along his collarbone, her hands lightly stroking down his arms, making him shiver but somehow he kept his wits about him.
"Wait, baby, we need to talk about this," he said, his voice trembling. He knew she wasn't above using sex to avoid a difficult discussion, and now she was trailing her tongue just under his ear. He could hold out for a little bit, but he knew it wouldn't be long. He felt her lips caress his earlobe and melted a little further.
"No, we don't," she murmured, "you already took care of it. I wouldn't do anything different. It's really the only option." She grinned to herself when she felt his resolve crumble, and giggled when he pinned her beneath him. By morning, they both knew their path was set, and the only variable remained time.
Aric sat up in bed, startled out of a deep sleep. He wasn't even sure why, but he knew he'd dreamed of something important, something that he needed to remember. He sat for a moment, trying to figure it out, when Maura touched his arm. "Aric?" she asked softly.
"I'm fine, hon. Just, I don't know, something just occurred to me. How much can we really trust that Miriah is not just being sent into a trap? How do we know that Marr and Beniko aren't simply eliminating a threat?" He sank back onto the bed. "Why are we trusting them?"
"Probably because we wouldn't even know Mir was alive if Lana hadn't contacted Corso. Why would she help us find her if she wanted her dead? She'd have been dead for sure if we'd been even a day later than we were," she replied, her voice heavy with sleep. Her words rang true for Aric and he took comfort in them. When he closed his eyes again, he, too, was resigned to the course of action they'd planned.
All the sisters and Sarai converged on the ranch house shortly after breakfast the next day. Maura got her sister's measurements and leather armor ordered, and they chatted and ate the things each one had brought. Miriah had figured they'd all get together to keep her resting, but it was good to spend the girl time. Calypso, Calleigh and Coleen joined them, and they entertained the younger girls with their stories of growing up on Tython. When Sarai got up to go to the kitchen, Miriah followed. "Mom, Corso told me about the legal guardianship. I just wanted to say thank you," she told her.
Sarai grabbed her daughter in hard hug. When she'd had her fill, she held Miriah at arms length. "Sweetheart, I love you so much. There is nothing in the world that you could ever ask that would be too much. I love Calypso, too, and I know she'll miss you, but I promise she will be safe and loved." They hugged again, and when they parted, sniffing, Sarai smiled. "I don't want you to do this, but I know that you have to, and that Devin has to as well." She walked over to the counter, her back to her daughter. "This Valkorian, he means to destroy all that we know, and enslave whomever survives. He must be stopped." Miriah heard the force behind her words, and knew that she'd had a vision.
"Mom, what did you see?"
"So much destruction, so many lives lost, but you will be victorious, ultimately. You know, the force shows possibilities, not absolutes. Still, in every vision I've seen, you have triumphed." She turned then, and with a smile, sent force waves over her daugther. "You have the most important things on your side, your family. Devin, he is so very strong. He will be a major factor, as will Corso. But it hinges on you, my girl." She crossed to give Miriah another hug before rejoining the raucous party in the other room.
Miriah stood still, thinking about her mother's statements. She finally lifted her eyes to see Corso, standing in the doorway, his face showing his love and concern. She smiled at him, knowing she'd have to explain later, but for now content that he was there. She knew, in her heart, he always would be.