Aric grinned to himself, gathering food to take to Mir and Corso. They'd had a great night after leaving the couple, and he felt rested and optimistic. He was ready to leave when he felt someone invade his personal space. The fine hairs on his neck stood up and he turned slowly, his eyes focusing on the one so close to him he could feel her breath.
Acina reached out and trailed her fingers over Aric's jaw. "The Commander is hiding all her best assets here on this planet, I see," she purred, and Aric had to hold himself still. What in the force is this Sith doing, he wondered, and rather than take a step back, he held his ground, offering her a smile.
"What can I help you with, Empress?" he asked, and she gave a delighted giggle.
"Oh, I can think of many things, but you might not be able to keep up," she said, and wagged her eyebrows. Oh, brother, Aric thought. "You can tell me whether there's any of the troops here headed to Iokath."
Aric laughed out loud. "Lady, you know Miriah. I'd as soon shoot myself as have her mad at me. Besides," he said, and turned Acina to see Maura staring at them. "See that lady right there? The one with the plasma cannon strapped to her back? That's my wife." Acina turned quickly and hurried away amid Aric's loud guffaws, her face red and angry. Maura joined Aric, who was trying to recover his breath. "That was priceless!"
"I didn't see the humor," Maura murmured, and gathered the food Aric had readied. He picked up what she didn't and threw his other arm around her armored shoulders, still chuckling.
Miriah stood with Lana on the small balcony overlooking the reception area. "Seems to be going smoothly," she said softly, seeing two participants greet each other with hugs. "We're all ready for the reception this evening?"
"We are," Lana confirmed. "I have you off early to be able to be rested and ready." They stood a few moments longer, and Miriah sighed.
"I want to be outside," she said in a small voice, and Lana glanced over to see the longing on her face.
"I'll see what we can arrange," Lana started, but Miriah stopped her.
"After the conference, we can go back to normal," she said. "Anything else will have negative consequences." They moved away from the railing and back toward the office, the phalanx of soldiers falling in around them as they made their way down the tunnel. Aric and Maura waited with Corso in the office, and Miriah nibbled her food as they chatted. Her ears perked up at the mention of Acina, and they all laughed at Aric's story. Miriah knew she'd have to tell both her and Malcom her decision on Iokath today, and it made her sigh again.
"Darlin', you okay? You barely ate, and you seem sad," Corso said, pressing a kiss to her head.
"I am ready to be done with this," she replied, and Corso hugged her to him, rubbing her back. "I want our lives to be normal again."
"Three more days," Aric said. "Is Acina staying after today?"
"I hope not," Miriah said. "I have a feeling it would just be chaos with her interrupting everything."
By early afternoon, they were all tired. The verification was all complete and the conference participants were all in their rooms. Theron stood at the bank of computer terminals, monitoring the cameras, when escorts brought Jace in for his meeting with Miriah. Theron didn't speak but did acknowledge his father with a sharp nod. Jace looked like he wanted to say something, but Theron turned back to the video feeds, cutting him off.
Miriah was watching Malcom as he entered her office and took the same chair as yesterday. "I am sorry I jumped to conclusions about General Dinn," she admitted. "I spoke with her after and she cleared the story up for me. However, currying a favor with her might be easier said than done."
"I should have handled it differently, but Commander, the issue at hand is who you'll support in the push to obtain the superweapon. I felt it might give me an advantage." He shifted nervously. "Do you have an opinion on that yet?"
Miriah let a smile sneak slowly across her face. "I do have my mind made up, but before I let you know, I want to tell you that I appreciate your position. I know you are representing the Republic. We both have worked a long time to help their cause." She leaned forward. "But on this, I won't be on the Republic's side. If we did decide to pursue this weapon, it would be for the Alliance." She could see the anger he fought, and when he stood, red faced, she glared back at him, refusing to back down. "You don't scare me, Jace. Far from it. You seem like a bully, not getting his way and about to throw a tantrum over it."
"Lady, you don't know what kind of enemy you just made," he yelled, and started toward her, hands fisted. Corso threw open the door when he heard raised voices, and now placed himself between Miriah and the angry Supreme Commander Malcom. When Malcom didn't stop moving forward, he pushed Corso, and the Mantellian's reaction was more instinct than thought. His fist shot out, connecting with Malcom's nose. Blood flew around and before any words could be exchanged, Malcom was surrounded by firearms, ready to be discharged. He covered his face with his hands and made his way out the door.
"Make sure he goes directly to a shuttle, and his ship. Have it escorted out of wild space," Miriah instructed, and got a curt nod from one of the solders, who ran from the office as if he were on fire. Miriah then turned and took Corso's hand in both of hers. "Sugar, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, but I'm sure I broke that nose of his again," he answered, taking her in his arms. "I'm getting Devin in here for Acina." Miriah held onto him, his warmth and tight hold making her feel safe. "I'd have killed him if he'd touched you, Theron's dad or not," he whispered to her, and she smiled.
Theron saw the blood and the quick escort, but didn't even bother to ask. By the time he heard about Corso's punch, Jace was long gone, and Theron knew he should have been concerned, but only felt relief. He went to Lana's office and got the details and was ashamed. Lana reassured him. "Miriah isn't upset, Corso is just glad he was in the right place, and no one blames you at all," she told him, smoothing his hair, his head on her shoulder.
"I'm glad he's gone," Theron said softly, and Lana closed her eyes, their closeness comforting them both.
Devin stood by his mother's side as Acina received the same decision she'd already given Malcom, and it appeared that she had already resigned herself to it before she even heard it. Devin was hoping for more of her acting out, but she stood regally. "I'll be leaving, then," she said. "Commander, I can respect that you are doing the best thing for the Alliance, and I'm glad you aren't supporting the Republic in this." Miriah nodded, and watched Acina leave, taking a deep breath.
Magdalane sat in the courtyard with Felix, enjoying the sunshine. They'd helped get everything ready in the makeshift ballroom, created by combining several large rooms in the rear of the cantina, and now were taking a break. They'd been able to talk, really talk, in the past two days, and felt more like their old selves than they had since the move to Odessen. Now, they were talking about the big reception planned for that evening. "I really don't want to go," Mags admitted. "I would rather be at home, with you, than all dressed up speaking to people I don't know."
Felix smiled. "I would say I support that, but I've been on Mir's wrong side for a while now, and I'm not willing to risk another kick of hers." They laughed, but Felix was being at least partially serious. He'd had a few days of discomfort before it began to fade.
"I'm sure we'll be fine," Mags replied, and took his hand in hers.
Corso dressed and sat on the sofa, rubbing his bruised knuckles. He'd figured, at that moment, that it was better to ask forgiveness than permission, and no one was going to come at Mir without his intervention. She seemed okay with it, he told himself, and was thinking back on everything she'd done or said when she finally exited the refresher. He looked up and had to remind himself to breathe. She wore a black beaded dress, only one shoulder covered and most of her leg showed when she walked. "Ready?" she asked him, and he could only nod. As they rode in the elevator, he leaned close and whispered.
"You look amazing, darlin'." He saw her blush, and squeezed her hand.
Miriah took a few seconds with everyone, and they beamed when she thanked them for being on Odessen. Corso and Aric stood watch. "She sure can work a crowd," Aric said.
"Speaking of working, I heard you had a moment with a Sith Empress," Corso teased, and saw Aric frown before he chuckled.
"That was by far the most interesting thing that has happened today, besides someone punching Malcom," Aric replied. "I wish I'd been there to see that."
"Hopefully those left for the rest of the conference will have better manners," Corso said, his eyes following Miriah as she made her way across the room. "All she has to do now is the toast, and I can get her to eat a few bites." Miriah saw them and crossed to them, and Lana and Theron joined them.
"Theron, I..." Corso started, but Theron interrupted.
"No need, I'm glad someone hit him," he said, and Corso nodded.
Lana touched Miriah's arm. "Commander, before you leave, find me, I have something for you." Miriah turned curious eyes to her friend, but asked no questions. A flute of champagne was handed to her and Miriah raised her glass.
"I am glad you all are here, and I hope we're able to have an informative and productive meeting here. For the Alliance!" The crowd repeated her last words and after a few sips, Miriah handed her glass to a passing server. Corso replaced it with a plate of the various foods, and she ate a few of the ones she recognized. She knew that Caly had worked on the menu and wanted to be able to give the reports she knew her daughter would demand. After a little bit, when she thought she'd fulfilled her duties, she sought Lana out. "I'm ready to go, what was it?"
"Come with me," Lana said, and led Miriah and Corso to a rear set of stairs. When they emerged at the rooftop garden, Miriah smiled. "You wanted fresh air, and I have this area secure for you." Miriah hugged her then, and took a deep breath.
"I so needed this, Lana," she said, and Corso spread a thick blanket on the damp grass for them.
"Just come inside the stairwell when you're ready to leave, I'll have the detail waiting there," Lana replied, and grinned when Miriah hiked up her dress to sit. She left them, but knew they'd enjoy the little bit of freedom.
Devin jumped up when Declan started to whine in the nursery, hoping Mia could rest. He rubbed the little boy's back and in a few minutes, he'd gone back to sleep. He turned and saw Mia standing in the doorway and crossed to her. "Just think, in a few months, we can each take one of them," he joked and felt her smile. Leading her back to bed, he stopped, feeling the surge of happy from his parents. Good, he thought, letting their joy spill over into his aura. Mia grinned and pulled him on top of her, perfectly happy to share the emotions.