Booster watched Talon stare into space, ever-present whiskey in hand. As usual, he was sitting in his office, which was okay, as Booster was keeping an eye on him. He came back to the Errant Venture after being absent for more than a month without contact. Booster was located near Elshandruu Pica and visiting Kina Margath. She made a deal with him if he brought his ship back her biggest spenders could have limited access to his Diamond level Casinos. He made a lot of credits in the two weeks he was in orbit and spent nights in Kina's bed.

Talon called to find his location and appeared in system four days later. Booster took one look at the distraught smuggler and told him to stay close. Talon took him at his word and hardly left his office during working hours. He stared at information filtering into the ship all day, looking for her. Booster moved around on sightings of her and finally made the choice to head back to Coruscant. Now Booster needed to draw his friend into the present. "What's the latest on Shada?"

"She was at Zeltros. Dr. Eloy contacted me and Shada warned him about working with anyone on getting the Hammertong weapon operational and suggested he keep his hired Noghri bodyguards close. He assured me he is retired, but glad for personal protection as Bothan's tried to gain an audience." He took a mouthful of the burning liquor. "The boys have a birthday soon. I don't have a clue what to get three year olds."

"Are they still asking for Mom all the time?"

"No and that worries me. I don't want them to forget her."

"She'll be back," Booster spoke with confidence. He made sure everyone knew he was at Coruscant after two months on the Outer Rim following Shada's ghost. He hoped she would contact him, or Jari or anyone. Her silence was hard on everyone, especially Talon and his crew.

Talon's comlink beeped. "What?" he growled irritably, his permanent demeanor these days.

"I thought you might want to know, the Whimper of Fear just came out of hyperspace." Nawara spoke from his position in the captain's chair.

Talon shot a surprised look to an identical expression on Booster's face. "Where is she headed, here?"

"No, she's sitting on the edge of the system and a military vessel is approaching her fast."

Both men jumped and rushed to the bridge, running down the catwalk to the front viewport.

"Magnify," Booster ordered and the viewport narrowed in on the two ships. Nawara joined them and the three men watched the corvette extend a docking arm. They were tethered together for about two minutes before the corvette broke and did a hyperspace jump in system.

"He's landing on Coruscant," Hassla'tak called out and switched the scene to the corvette descending onto the planet.

"Wonder what that's about," Booster noised to nobody in particular.

"Try and raise the Whimper of Fear," Talon called to the comm officer.

"Whimper of Fear, this is the Errant Venture, copy?" Cov, a Given working the console, did as Talon requested.

The face of a man in his early fifties appeared. "Errant Venture, this is Whimper of Fear."

Cov looked up at the catwalk. "I have contact."

"Put him on screen," Talon called out and faced the forward holoscreen as the top half of the man appeared.

Booster took over with a hand to Talon's shoulder. "I'm Captain Booster Terrik. Is Shada D'ukal on board?"

"I'm Thade D'ukal. No, she went on the other ship to the surface."

"Is everything alright? Do you require assistance?" Booster knew Talon would want those questions asked.

"I'm not qualified to take the ship in system. Shada was teaching my brother, Zed, but he had a heart attack. Shada called an emergency landing for us, but the military said no. They brought a ship to take my brother to the hospital. Shada went with him and told me to remain here with the ship until she returned." Thade paused with a thought. "You're not her enemy are you?"

"No, we're her friends. Stand by, I need to consult with my people on how to help you." Booster made a motion for Cov to pause the signal and turned to Talon. "It's your call. What do you want to do?"

"Find, Shada." He leaned over the rail and called down into the pit. "Locate the hospital Zed D'ukal was taken to." Jodonn, working another console started searching. Talon turned back to Booster and Nawara. "I need to get a pilot to her ship and have it brought here."

"I'll go," Nawara volunteered.

"I was hoping you would." Talon felt better than he had in months. "I need a shuttle to go to the surface."

"Why don't you buy one and store it on board. That way, you won't always be borrowing mine," Booster grumbled, but he too was delighted Talon and Shada were reuniting and sincerely hoped Talon didn't screw the reunion up.

"Your parking fees are too high."

"You can afford them," Booster quipped back as Talon and Nawara entered the turbolift. He turned back to the screen and told Cov to put Thade back on the main screen. "I have a shuttle coming to fly your ship to mine. I'm the large red star destroyer in orbit."

"I don't know if Shada would approve. She told me to stay here."

"Her husband, Talon Karrde, is on his way to the surface to see her."

"Shada never talked much about him, too painful for her. Will she be okay?"

Booster chuckled. "Nothing to worry about. They had a little fight, but he will make it right. In the meantime, consider yourself my guest when you arrive." Booster motioned for the link to be severed.


Nawara extended the airlock tube and waited for the signal that a seal had been achieved before crawling through the flexible tubing. A man his height was waiting on the other side. Nawara extended his hand with a broad smile. "I'm Nawara Ven, personal friend of Shada's. She and my wife are very close."

"Thade D'ukal." Thade shook his hand. Never having seen many aliens except at the spaceport, he was still in awe of them. "You're the pilot?"

Nawara motioned for him to lead to the bridge. "My credentials include being a Rogue pilot for the New Republic. I also fly that monstrosity I'm taking you to, and have the distinct honor of being the first officer."

"Up until a few months ago, I've never been in space. Shada's been teaching us to fly, but we're not very good yet and she does all the takeoffs and landings, although Zed got to fly out of Tatooine."

Nawara grinned, showing a row of white, sharp, pointed teeth. "I heard about that flight."

"You did?"

The Twi'lek laughed as he sat in the pilot's seat and familiarized himself with the controls. He took the engines off standby and turned the viewport on. Abruptly he threw the ship to port and reached for the weapons controls. "Shada make a few enemies you need to tell me about? Hold your answer. Ven to Venture, I'm being fired on and need help."

"We're on it, Ven."

"This is Rogue leader." The voice of Tycho Celchu was a welcome sound. "Freighter being fired upon, move aside and we'll assist."

"Remind me to kiss you, Tycho." Ven did a roll as another volley from the aggressor tried to take his ship out.

"Ven, what the… I don't want to know, but I'll abdicate the kiss to Rhysati if it's all the same."

"She'll do, but these shields aren't meant to do much more than protect a ship through the atmosphere. We won't survive more than two hits."

"We're coming in from your starboard, roll port on my mark," Tycho ordered.

"What are you doing out this way?" Nawara asked Tycho while watching the unidentified ship come around for another shot at him.

"Taking the kids out for a flight…Now."

Ven rolled the small freighter in a loop it was never meant to do. Several of the ship's rivets popped out as the Rogues sped past and opened fire. The attacking ship tried to run, but with a well-placed proton torpedo, air was venting. The Rogues broke off and gathered around Ven's ship and they watched the enemy vessel explode. Another fighter group from the planet joined the Rogues, looking for more attackers and questions from command flooded the channels.

"How are you faring, Ven?" Tycho asked on the Rogues private channel.

"The ship took more damage from my evasive maneuvers than if I'd actually taken a hit."

"Need an escort and where are you headed?"

"Errant Venture. You can stay close in case we're not alone."

"Any idea who they were?" Tycho asked.

Nawara looked at a pale Thade. "Well?"

"After Shada destroyed the weapon for something called Hammertong we've encountered them. Shada is sure they are Bothan pirates, hired by their government to hunt us down and kill us."

Ven looked grim. "Makes sense." He keyed his mic. "Most likely Bothan's. Errant Venture, clear Whimper of Fear to land."

The Rogues crowded in the largest docking bay and settled down to one side of the small ship that slipped through the magcon field ahead of them, positioning for a quick departure if necessary. Nawara shut his ship down and lowered the ramp. With a hand to Thade's shoulder, he escorted him to the waiting Rogues. "This is Shada's uncle, Thade D'ukal," he called out.

Rhysati rushed up and gave Nawara a hug and kiss. "My ex-wife," he grinned at Thade.

Tycho pushed through his people. "This is a story I want to hear."

"Time for a drink?" Nawara asked him.

"That's really why we're here, lead on, Counselor."


Talon piloted the shuttle to the surface. Before he landed, Cov called. "The corvette landed at the hospital in the Senate District."

Talon now knew which spaceport to land in. "Thank you, Cov."

He took an airtaxi to the hospital and asked where Zed D'ukal was located.

The reception droid replied, "Patient D'ukal is located on floor One Fifty Four, section Eight.

Talon saw her the moment he entered a viewing room. She had her arms wrapped around herself, the only comfort she could find, and was looking through a window at activity on the other side.

She saw his reflection as he moved behind her, but didn't turn from watching them work on her uncle.

His arms circled her and she was pulled tightly against him. He looked over her shoulder at a middle-aged man lying on a table with medical doctors and droids performing surgery. "I missed you more than you will ever know, Shada. These four months have been longer than any three years of my life."

"I was on my way to the Venture when Uncle Zed had a heart attack."

"But not to see me or the boys!" He tried to keep his tone neutral, but the thought she was through with him ripped his heart open and left it bleeding.

"Yes, to see you; not that I expected you to let me see my sons without a fight." Her pain-filled eyes caught his in the glass.

Talon looked back and saw the devastation he caused by his cruel comment months earlier. How could he be so callous as to suggest she never see her sons again. His last words to her came back to haunt him. "Shada, I want you to come home where you belong. I know we have issues, but we'll never work them out apart. I was a bastard to say that to you."

She teared up and he caught it in the glass. "I'll not be your employee."

"Never; you're co-owner, equal with me. I was petty and mean to suggest otherwise."

"What about what you said, if I walked off, I wasn't welcome back or couldn't see my boys again?"

"Word of my thoughtlessness circulated throughout our friends. I found out, they like you a lot more than me. Booster cussed me out in all seven languages he knows. I know, because I speak them also. Our crews are ready to mutiny and I've lost a lot of respect I didn't deserve in the first place."

She sniffed and he released his grip slightly. "You grovel well. Nawara tutor you?"

"He laughs at me all the time and tells me I'm a pathetic excuse for a human."

"I'm sorry I took the massacre out on you. I was so distraught; I acted first and reflected later. All I knew was I had to try and save my uncles, what was left of them."

"Shutting me out hurt."

"So did telling me I was no longer wanted."

He nodded. "If I put your wedding ring back on your finger, will it stay?"

"I have demands."

"Name them."

"I want to be courted again, like you did before our impromptu wedding."

"I owe you that."

"I want you to welcome my uncles as family."

"Your uncles are my uncles and always have been. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"I want them to be part of the organization."

"Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way."

"I want to spend a lot of time with my babies."

"You have to share them with me. I've grown quite attached to them you see."

"No more threats of kicking me out."

"No more physical violence from you."

"No more leaving me without funds."

"I'm sorry about that. I figured it would stop you from leaving. I restored your access immediately afterwards. Didn't you listen to your messages?"

"No, it was too painful to hear your voice."

"I love you, Shada D'ukal Karrde; with all my soul, heart and body."

"And I love you."

And like that, they were a couple once again. He let his head drop to her neck where he placed a kiss.

"It's been so long," she murmured.

"I plan on making up for every night we weren't together." He turned her in his arms and let his lips claim hers, eyes closed as their silkiness healed his soul.

Her arms found their way around his neck. They stayed in that position for a long time.

"I missed you so much," he whispered in her ear.

"My heart ached every time I thought of you," she admitted.

"I wish I could take back every stupid word I said." He looked in her eyes, pleading for forgiveness with his.

"I wish I held my temper and didn't set the ball rolling when I attacked you, forgive me?"

"Yes, I just want you back in my bed and by my side where you belong."

"I'm not letting you off the hook for dates. All I wanted when we were parted was a date."

"Can our dates end in the bedroom?"

"If you're well behaved and treat me like I want, I can let you in my bed." Her face lit up in a soft smile.

He returned her smile, the first since laying eyes on her. "I'm not letting you out of my sight for a long time."

"Excuse me."

They turned to a doctor standing before them.

Talon let Shada move as far from him as a handhold, his strong fingers gripping her a little too tight, but she didn't complain.

"Your uncle needs to be placed in bacta. I need to know which grade you want to pay for, as funds need to be paid up front. We have three grades…" He never got finished before Talon interrupted.

"We'll take the most expensive."

"You're looking at a hundred thousand credits." The doctor had a few rich clients, mostly from the ambassadors to Coruscant.

Talon pulled a credit chip from his pocket. "Your datapad."

The doctor inserted the chip and made the transfer. "The patient will be released in two days."

"We'll be waiting," Shada replied. "Just out of curiosity, what does the cheap bacta cost and what's the timeframe for healing?"

"Ten thousand credits and six days."

"Our uncle is worth the best," Talon added and pulled Shada back to his side, arm securely around her waist.

They left and Talon asked, "Do you want to go to the ship or get a room?"

"I want to see my babies."

He held her hand in the airtaxi to the spaceport and wondered if they could get to their suite unseen.


Booster was still on the bridge. He was giving a report to a General as to why his first officer was in a vessel under attack. He told New Republic Military that their own General Tycho Celchu was onboard getting a report, but failed to mention it was in the Diamond Level's best bar. He watched Talon land his shuttle in his private docking area and kept the holocam on. He smiled broadly when Shada emerged ahead of Talon and he closed the ramp, his hand on the back of her neck the entire time. Arms around each other, they disappeared.

"Look who is home," Talon called as he entered the sitting room.

"Mommy, Mommy," the boys screamed and ran to her.

She scooped them both up with hugs and kisses. "Mommy missed you guys so much." She sat on the sofa and held them both. "I can't believe how big you two are."

Talon watched, and felt his world righting itself.

Shada's eyes went wide. "Oh my stars, I forgot Uncle Thade. I'm supposed to get him."

Talon smiled and dropped to one knee before her and the boys. "I sent Nawara to fly the ship here." He pulled his comlink. "Karrde to Ven."

"I hope you had as much success as I did," was Nawara's reply as he recognized the voice.

"I take it your retrieved our uncle?"

Nawara, sitting at a large table with Thade and the Rogues, grinned. "We had a little run in with someone trying to kill us. Does Shada know anything about why her enemies tried to take it out on me?"

Shada reached over and took the comlink. "Nawara, you met my new friends, Bothan pirates. When I destroyed the Hammertong part destined for Bothawui, they've been after me since then. I'm afraid I return with a death mark." Her eyes met Talon's.

Talon took the comlink back. "Nothing we can't handle. We'll have to go to a non-Bothan policy."

"Uhh, I believe Booster already has one and his own Bothan death mark to boot. When you allow Shada in public again, they'll have to compare marks. Booster got his directly from Borsk Fey'lya for wiping the floor with him."

Shada pulled Talon's hand with the comlink back. "I'm sure he's behind mine also. Do I hear Rogues in the background?"

"They came to my rescue. About your ship….it needs to be repaired after I flew it."

"It needs to be sold for scrap. It took most of the credits I made to keep it running."

"I'm proud of you." Talon pulled the comlink back. "Shada has to go now and I'm turning all forms of communication off. Take care of Thade and find him a room."

"He wants to meet his great nephews." Nawara was trying not to laugh.

"Maku Ryno," Talon replied in Ryl and cut the link.

Nawara and most at the table broke out laughing.

"What did he say?" Thade asked.

"He suggested a sexual position impossible for me to achieve, but his Ryl inflection was perfect. He must use that term on Hassla'tak a lot."

"I heard him say that to you that almost daily since Shada left." Booster joined them and introduced himself to Thade.

"I hate it that you and Talon speak Ryl almost as well as me," Nawara grumbled and took a sip of his Bloody Coruscant, a drink invented thousands of years before on the planet it was named for.

"Don't forget Mirax and Shada, the Solo's, Calrissians, Antilles; need I continue?" Booster took a drink off a tray the waiter was circulating. "Fill me in on what happened out there."


Shada ordered supper for the family to be served in their suite and played with the boys until they got sleepy. She picked D'ukal up to take him to bed.

"There," he whined and pointed to her bedroom.

"No, you have to sleep in your bed."

He started crying and pounded her shoulder.

"Hey, don't hit your mother." Talon's rough tone caused him to stop pounding, but he still cried and Terrik, in his father's arms joined in and pointed to the other room. "This is my fault; I've been letting them sleep with me."

She gave a playful grin. "Who am I to change the sleeping arrangements."

"Oh no; they have new beds they have never used for more than naps." He opened the door to their bedroom and Shada saw two boy's beds in the shape of starfighters. They brought back memories of when she was in Jacen and Anakin Solo's room at the Orowood Apartments. "Before I forget, Terrik's back on medicine." He took him to the refresher and Shada followed, putting D'ukal down to pee. She watched him expertly measure a perfect amount out and Terrik take it without complaint."

"You haven't been back to Aphran?"

"Without you, no use."

She remained silent and they quietly got the boys in their jammies.

With Mom helping them into bed, Talon got the datapad to read a story. He sat in the rocker, while Shada kissed each boy and left. He watched her go as he searched for a story and chose one about Ewoks. Finishing, he noticed they were still awake. "Time to close your eyes." He leaned over and gave each a kiss.

"Mommy stay?" Terrik asked in a fearful tone.

"Mommy's never leaving us again, I promise." He dimmed the light. "All yours, Nana," he spoke to the droid and left. Nana was under orders, when he was with the boys, she was to remain out of the way and silent. His patience with droids was considerably less than Shada's.

He entered their bedroom to find her brushing her dark hair out. His eyes were drawn to her negligee. It was his favorite and he notice on her hand, the wedding band was back in place.

She looked up. "I took a shower, your turn."

His celibacy was over was his mantra as he rushed through his nightly rituals. Entering, wearing nothing but his robe, he found the bed turned back and the bottle of duromilk on the nightstand.

"I don't think we're going to need that."

"By the fourth time, you will; so will I."