Caly stared at herself in the mirror. She looked different, somehow. As she tilted her head to the side, she realized it was her eyes. I have the same look that Mom has when Dad is near, she thought. A knowing, and acceptance. And being well loved doesn't hurt a thing, she smiled to herself. She slicked gloss over her lips and was instantly bombarded by the images of where those lips had gone the night before, and she blushed. Sex is so much more than I thought, she mused. She straightened and hurried out to where Torian was putting their bags on a sled, her wedding gown in a large, sealed bag on top.

"Ready, sweetheart?" he asked, and the words had double meaning for her, her insides instantly responding to his smooth voice.

Clearing her throat, Caly nodded. "I am, love. I'd like to see Mom and Dad before we go home, I want to tell them how perfect they made our wedding day." She had sent a short message the day after they arrived, but wanted to hug her parents. Torian only nodded as he guided the sled down the hallway of the charming inn they'd stayed at. It would be good to be home, he thought. Contentment wore well on him, and he hummed a tune as he loaded their luggage into the transport. Security was more important now than ever and he'd exchanged the rented speeder to request transport in one of the armored vehicles, just to make sure Caly was safe. They were inside, buckled in, when Torian kissed her hand.

"You go back to work in three days?" he asked, and she nodded. He noticed the frown even though it was quickly gone. "You are not enjoying working there?"

Caly sighed. "It's a great experience, and I've learned more about the actual running of a business than I ever thought possible, but I miss cooking. The creative process. I want to slice and dice and saute' again."

Torian smiled at her. "I love watching you cook. You get this glow about you, like the entire galaxy is spread before you and you own it all." Caly giggled.

"I've thought about putting out some holo vids on cooking, see if they garner any interest. I know, the credits aren't really great…

"I've told you, love. We can live well off my military pay. We can eat at the mess hall, our apartment is free. Not everywhere can you get that kind of living. If you want to quit the cantina, don't let money worries keep you from doing what you want."

Caly was silent, letting the rocking motion of the transport and the warmth of Torian's body beside hers lull her into a light sleep. Torian secured her at his side, happily staring at his future with her.

Aric had run the second day until his body gave out, and he'd sprawled onto the ground, his bag bouncing several feet away. When he finally caught his breath, he pulled his holocom out and turned it on, his thumb over the quick dial frequency for Maura. What if she doesn't want to talk to me? What if she got worse? He took a deep breath and tried to calm his heart. He pressed the key and waited, hoping she was alone.

Maura had gone home the evening before, with strict instructions to rest and hydrate. She was on the sofa, surrounded by soft pillows and a blanket, when her holo rang. She pressed the receive button and saw Aric's tortured face. "Aric, honey," she said, sitting up straighter.

"Maura, I'm so glad you're doing okay," he said.

"I would be better if you'd come home," she said softly. She could see the forest around him, and wondered how far away he was.

"I can't, as much as I love and miss you. I can't trust myself," he replied, and lowered his head.

"Trust yourself?"

"I've now hurt Miriah and you. Who's next? Our pregnant daughter?" Aric stood and started to pace before looking at her again. "I just can't hurt anyone else. Until this anger is gone and I'm not having nightmares, I'm staying out here. I can't hurt anyone I love out here."

"What about us? What about the base, and the current situation of the Alliance?" she asked. "We need you here, Aric. All of us. Coleen will no doubt blame herself and her situation for all of this, which is why I haven't said anything to her about what really happened." Aric was still as he listened to her words, and sighed deeply.

"I just can't risk it, hon. I love you, and it kills me inside to know that I hurt you. How are you feeling?" They chatted for a little about trivial things, and when they fell silent, Maura felt her eyes fill.

"I really want you home. I guess I get it, but work through it quickly, Aric Jorgan. I need you here, and I miss you so much already." She sniffed, and he felt remorse fill him, head to toe.

"I'll do my very best to get back to you soon, my love. I do love you, so much."

Maura allowed a small smile to cross her face. "I love you, too. Be careful out there." They signed off and Maura allowed the tears that had been threatening to fall. I'll never understand Cathar culture, she thought, and let her eyes close. All she really wanted was Aric here with her, and until then, she would have to recover alone.

Solasta picked up the datapad that she found on the desk, recognizing it as Aric's. How did it get in here, she wondered briefly, hitting the power button. She read the document, put the datapad down and paced around her desk for a few turns before grabbing the device and storming to the executive offices. Arcann stood in the position usually reserved for Aric, and it made Solasta's face harden. With a brief nod, she passed the detail and stood in the doorway of Miriah's office. When the other woman looked up, Solasta noted the worried shadow over the Commander's face. She advanced into the office, and handed the datapad to Miriah. "Did you know about this?" Solasta demanded, and Miriah frowned. Once she'd activated the device and started reading, Miriah jumped to her feet.

"I had no idea, Sol," Miriah said. "Why would he do this?"

"Maybe you need to fill me in on why Maura was in the med center yesterday," Solasta said quietly. Miriah told her what she knew, and that Aric had left the base, and Solasta chuffed loudly. "I am going to lose this datapad, until I hear from his own lips that he is resigning from the Alliance Army." She stood, and Miriah did as well. "I can find him," Solasta offered, but Miriah shook her head.

"Maura messaged me a little while ago, said she'd talked to him. He needs to get this resolved, Sol. Only then can he feel comfortable here."

Solasta canted her head to the left, and finally nodded. She pressed her forehead to Miriah's for a longer than normal time, wanting to feel better about things. When she straightened, she put her hand on Miriah's shoulder. "I'll touch base with Maura, see if she needs anything. Meanwhile, I never saw that document." Miriah nodded and watched her general leave. Between Maura and Corso, I have to walk a very thin line, and now Solasta is concerned. Force, help me understand my path here, she thought, and then smiled to herself at how like her oldest sister she'd sounded just then.

Coleen herded her young students to their lunch area, and then leaned back, her hand on her lower back. This baby is getting heavy, she thought, and smiled as she thought of her last ultrasound. At seventeen weeks, she was over the morning sickness and felt a little more rested. Mia had warned her to get as much rest as she could, since she'd get little after the birth. She had plans to work in the nursery this weekend, but her dad had warned her about paint fumes. I haven't seen him since yesterday morning, she thought. I hope he's still going to help. She went down the table, helping little hands get their lunches situated and finally sat at the end on a small chair. Something was going on, but she felt like she'd been left out of the loop on it all. She waited until her class was finished eating and had moved on to the giggles before telling them to gather their things, and heading the line near the door. She led them back for nap time, and when they were all settled, soft melodic music playing in the background, she pulled out her datapad, sending a message to her mom.

Maura heard the chime and shuffled into the family room. She was sore and moving fast wasn't on her agenda, but the thought it might be Aric had her there quicker. She read Coleen's message and sighed. She had decided, with Miriah, to just tell anyone who asked that Aric was on a mission for the Alliance and would be home soon. She didn't like the lie, but didn't want to air Aric's struggle with himself to the general public. She typed a response to Coleen and settled onto the sofa again. She was still holding the datapad when Sarai came in, loaded down with food containers. "Mom, you didn't have to," Maura said, taking the bag from her mother's shoulders.

"I was bringing some food to Theron and then to Caly's, they should be home soon and I figured she might enjoy not having to cook. And of course, I want you to regain your strength too." She pulled out some ronto stew and put it in Maura's hands, and put several containers in the fridge. "There's orobird soup, some bantha tenderloin, and more of the ronto stew," she said, and Maura hugged her mother.

"I appreciate it, Mom, so much," she said softly, her energy almost gone from her trip to the refresher and now into the kitchen. Sarai helped her back to the sofa, and tucked the blanket around Maura's legs, careful to not bump her. Maura took a few spoonfuls of the stew and lay back. "It's so good, but I'm exhausted. I can have more later," she said, and Sarai kissed her forehead.

"Absolutely. And you tell me if you want more, or need anything else, okay?" Sarai stood and pulled the strap of the bag over her shoulder.

"I will, Mom. Love you and thanks again." Sarai made her way to the door, and when she looked back, Maura's eyes were closed. She could feel there was more to the story, but was content to let her daughters handle things. With a tired sigh, she made her way to Theron's place, hoping for a cup of tea and some cards.

Aric had made a camp of sorts, and at least the night before he'd slept like a rock, so tired from his run he hadn't even realized he was sleepy until he was dozing off. Now, he pulled out a small one-man tent from his pack and his sleeping bag. It was warm during the day, but the nights were chilly, and he didn't enjoy shivering while he rested. It was mid afternoon, and he decided to fish in the nearby stream for dinner. So many simple pleasures, he thought, but we never get a chance to enjoy them really. He waded into the water and in only a few minutes had used his extended claws to secure a large fish. Its scales glistened in the sunlight, and Aric took a deep breath, saying a thanks to his gods for providing a meal for him. Wow, it's been a long time since I've done that, he thought, and went back to his camp, shaking water off with every step. He cleaned the fish and prepared it for cooking, and went in search of firewood, of which there was no shortage. When he returned and sat down, he realized his thoughts had been calm, and there was no lingering anger. At least right now, his demons had been silenced, and he was grateful.

Caly and Torian stopped by the office, and saw Miriah slumped over her desk, Corso massaging her neck. "Mom? Are you okay?" Caly asked.

At Caly's voice, Miriah jumped up to hug her daughter. "It's great to see you two, how was Haven?" she asked, and immediately saw the changes in Caly. She looks happy, she thought, and grinned at them.

"Everything, from the wedding through today, has been just wonderful," Caly gushed, and hugged her dad. "I just wanted to say thank you, again. We're still in awe of everything."

"I took the gifts you received at the ceremony to your place," Corso said, and Miriah smiled at him. She hadn't known he'd done that, but then she'd spent yesterday with Maura. She moved to put her arm around his waist, and leaned against him. She'd been worried about his heart the past week, but since the frenzy of the wedding was done, he'd seemed fine.

"I'll cook if you guys want to come over," Miriah said, but Caly's face brightened.

"No, let me. Please. I need to cook something," she said, and they laughed.

"Deal," Miriah told her and they parted, Miriah telling them they'd be along shortly. She turned to Corso, who still held her. "Everything ready for tomorrow?" she asked, the christening of their new ships on the schedule.

"All set," he said, before kissing her softly. "I wish Aric was here to see it." Corso hadn't slept well, worried about his friend, and had ended up having some heart skipping. He'd kept it from his wife, but knew that he had to get it under control before she suspected. He turned her in his arms and she sat again, picking up her datapad for a moment before putting it down again.

"Solasta came to see me this morning. Before he left, Aric put in resignation papers," she said softly.

"He what?" Corso was incredulous, and Miriah could see the shock on his face.

"Yeah, but she's pretending she didn't see them, so unless something keeps him away longer than his original thirty day leave, it's just words on a datapad," she told him. She could see the sense of loss Corso felt, and went to him. He wrapped his arms around his wife, but his thoughts were with his brother, out in the wilderness on Odessen.