Corso woke slowly and realized his arms were empty. He squinted and saw Miriah, her back to him, scooted to the far edge of the bed. He knew she was worried, and she'd still been awake when he couldn't hold his eyes open any longer. He'd brought her back from the office, and she'd loved on all the family there, but when they were ready for bed, she gave him a chaste kiss and put her head on his shoulder. Okay, he'd thought then, I can take a hint. But now, with what seemed like a room between them, he was anxious about her. He reached over, and felt her tense all over at his touch before slowly relaxing. "You should be asleep," she told him, her voice rough. Instead of responding, he placed his warm hands on her shoulders and used the soft pads of his thumbs to gently rub the stress from her neck. He thought she was relaxing, but then he heard the sniff, and knew she'd been crying. It physically hurt him to see her so unlike herself, and he drew her to him.

"I know you're upset, darlin'. I'm here," he told her, but it only made her cry harder. Finally she turned to face him, but she seemed almost mad.

"I have to be stronger than this! I have to be able to see my mother go off to an unknown area, and handle the immigrants, and figure out how to reconcile that my daughter is growing up! The upcoming mission that Torian is taking on, and the way it has to be done will destroy her. And you," she said, wiping her face. "I have to be more mindful of how much the stress affects you, and make sure that you get more rest than you have been." She turned away again, sitting on the side of the bed.

"No, darlin'. You don't have to worry about me. I just didn't sleep well with all the delegates on the planet, not knowing where or when a threat might appear. That's all." He drew near and pressed a kiss on the back of her neck. "I need to take better care of myself, and eat better, and exercise." He put his arms around her and she leaned back on his chest. "I promise, I'm fine. Mags even said so." She sighed and he hugged her tighter, and she finally turned to him.

"I feel sick," was all she got out before rushing into the refresher. He quickly followed and when she seemed done, handed her a cool washcloth for her face and a cup of water.

"Better?" he asked softly, and she nodded. "Let's get to the medcenter."

"No," she said. "It's just stress. They'll all freak out and the whole base will go on alert if I go."

"You do that again, and I'm taking you," he replied, picking her up from the floor and returning them to the bed. He settled her on her pillow and straightened the covers over her. She already looks less pale, he thought, and before he got stretched out, her eyes had closed. Poor love, he thought, and kissed her forehead before closing his own eyes, his hand holding hers.

By the time Corso woke again, Miriah was dressed and ready to start her day. She leaned over to brush a kiss on his lips, and he caught her face, kissing her deeper, pulling her on top of him. When he had to breathe, he looked at her carefully. Still not quite herself, he thought, but she looks better. Reluctantly, he let her go, and she stood, straightening her clothes. "I'll go get breakfast and meet you at the office, okay?" he asked. She nodded and smiled, and while it seemed a little sad, at least she tried. She turned to leave and he made a resolution with himself to do whatever he had to get her spirits up. He hopped up, refreshed, and started the shower, his purpose making him feel more in control.

Aric and Maura were just approaching the door when Miriah came out, and they greeted her, chatting happily as they all walked down the tunnel. Neither seemed to notice Miriah's quietness, and she had settled behind her desk as Lana entered.

"Morning, boss," she said with a cheeky smile. "Ready?" Miriah nodded, and Lana brought her datapad to life. "This morning, I have the lists of the settlers going to Zakuul, and it looks to be a good distribution of the group. The group staying here are working on a name for their settlement right now, and they all seem excited." Lana looked at Miriah expectantly.

"Sound great," Miriah murmured, and Lana frowned at her but continued.

"Theron is ready for the Iokath mission, and says his contact there is doing some scouting for him. Nico and Sarai are in the medcetner now, getting physicals. No other medcenter reports. How's Corso doing today?"

"He seems fine," Miriah said. "Anything else?" She saw Lana's blush, but waited her out.

"We've had a request from the guard captain," she said. "They've asked that you speak to Saresh, they can't stand the odor from her anymore."

Miriah nodded, she'd known she'd have to intervene there. "I'll see her at some point today," she said, and saw Corso peek his head around the door frame. "First, I'm going to have breakfast."

Lana looked up and saw Corso, and he gave her a big smile. "Which ship are you sending to Iokath?"

"Give them the Windwalker, I want Mom to feel at home," Miriah said without hesitation.

"Very good, I'll see it's made ready," she said, and she was gone. Corso brought the food over to the sitting area and Miriah joined him there. She's still too quiet, he thought, but kept up a running commentary as he took everything out. She sipped her hot cocoa, and leaned back in the chair.

"Good?" he asked, and she hummed approval. She was still for several seconds, her eyes closed, when he called her name.

"I'm here," she said softly.

"Please, darlin', sit up and eat," he told her, and she did, knowing he'd panic if she didn't. She nibbled on her meal, and when she was done, balled it all up in the bag, not wanting Corso to fuss at her. "I'm going to check on Caly this morning, and go see Felix. Anything else you need me to do?"

"Go easy," she said. "Take care of yourself." He smiled at her and kissed her before he left, and she watched him banter with Aric before heading out, her fingers on her lips. She'd just settled in to work on the action items on her desk when she saw Solasta peeking around the doorway. They spent a few minutes talking, Solasta finally telling Miriah about the kit on the way, and Miriah reassuring her that everything was fine. When Solasta left, her steps light and a smile on her face, Miriah took a deep breath and stood. If I don't get out of here, I'm going to shoot somebody, she thought. Aric and Maura saw her come out and took up their detail positions with few words, and Miriah found herself going to the medcenter, hoping to meet her mother there. They surprised each other at the elevator, and Miriah laughed.

"I was coming to see you," she explained, and Sarai took both her hands.

"Let's go sit," she said, and they went over to the large room that served as a waiting area as well as a triage area. They found a spot away from everyone else, and again, Sarai took Miriah's hands. "Now, my girl, let your mind go. We'll talk in the force." Miriah nodded and waited, feeling the cooling calm settle her nerves and her stomach.

I'm excited to be doing something, Mir. I've spent too much time on the sidelines and I want to be productive.

I understand that, Mom, but I'm so afraid.

Of what, exactly? I'm going on a Jedi mission, to find out the state of affairs for the Temple. No one will find fault with that. I'll be cautious.

If something happens…

It won't, sweetheart. I won't let it. If things look funny or if I sense anything, we'll be on the way home.

Promise?

I promise, love. Call on the force when you feel afraid, I'll always be there. Sarai hugged her daughter then, and Miriah felt some relief from the relentless pressure she'd felt for the past twenty-four hours. They stood and Miriah wiped her face, but managed a smile for her mother. When they were both steadier, they made plans to see each other the next morning at the hangar. Miriah had to admit, her mom had a spring in her step as she left, and she felt like she could take a deep breath again. She was on the way back to her office when she heard her holo and the priority tone start. She looked up at Aric and they started to jog back to the tunnel, where she flew into her office and hit the receive button. She felt her chest tighten again with the news, and knew that Torian's mission was starting. She sent a message to Corso, but he had already left Caly at the mess hall. She shot a look at Aric, who solemnly nodded.

Aric saw the look on Miriah's face and sent Maura to the medcenter for an update, knowing he'd be too emotional with the injured coming in. Instead, he paced, waiting. There were only a handful of people who were aware of the threat, and he wanted to keep it that way. He sent a few of the special forces out to the courtyard, and had them keep an eye on Caly there. Miriah was even mostly in the dark, and he'd cited plausible deniability when he'd deliberately kept the mission details to himself.

Maura messaged Miriah directly with the casualties, and Miriah felt the nausea threaten again. She absently rubbed her sternum, looking up when Lana arrived. "It's begun," was all she said and she hugged her friend. They worked through the afternoon, the whole base locked down and tense. Miriah had gotten a message that Caly was fine, and with Corso, and that made her feel a little better. She looked at her chrono and sighed. Lana looked up when she stood.

"I'll go see Saresh," she said, "then home." Lana nodded and put away her datapad.

"I'll see you tomorrow at the launch," she replied, and they turned sad eyes to each other. Lana reached out and touched Miriah's shoulder, the solidarity understood.

Aric walked with Miriah down to the cells, where a fetid stench greeted them. Miriah stopped and felt her already iffy stomach flip. She tried to breathe through her mouth as she walked up to the unrecognizable being in the cell. Saresh was shrieking and throwing herself against the far wall until she saw Miriah.

"Slumming, Commander?" Saresh snarled, and Miriah merely stared at the angry, disheveled woman who used to lead the Republic. When there was no immediate answer, Saresh threw herself against the bars where Miraih stood.

Miriah never moved, even when the crazed woman was mere inches from her face. When Saresh tried to spit on her, Miriah merely stepped sideways. "Really, Leontyne?" Miriah asked, her voice even and low. Aric had approached, and now had a blaster trained on the prisoner, it's whine piercing the small space. Saresh stilled when she heard it, and remained at the bars. "You know, Acina would love for me to turn you over to her. I'm sure she has a shock collar that will fit you." Saresh looked down at her hands and froze. "Grow up!" Miriah barked at her, and saw her flinch. As they left the area, Miriah stopped at the guard. "Hose her down, whatever you need to do, if she doesn't cooperate and shower." At his sharp salute, they walked to the apartment.

They approached the door, but instead of going through, Miriah stopped and hugged her brother in law. "I'm sorry," was all she said, but it was enough. Aric closed his eyes and accepted the comfort she offered, knowing there was little else to be done. When he let her go, he touched his forehead to hers, and she understood it was a Cathar gesture. She turned to the door, and could hear the weeping, and took another deep breath, preparing for the evening.