Torian made his way back to the pod, breakfast in his hands. He had left Caly asleep, her break week just beginning. Next week, she'd be cooking right across from here, and he was happy for her. He entered quietly, not wanting to wake her, but saw her eyes blinking open. "Tor," she called, and he crossed to her. She pulled him down to her for a kiss, and they got lost for a bit before Torian remembered the food. When they were eating, happily grinning at each other, Torian suddenly sobered. "Caly, you know what I want for us, right? A life, a family eventually. To be together, for the rest of our lives." She nodded, her smile only faint now. "I have a ring to replace the one you wear now," he said, and heard her gasp. "I'd like to give it to you for your birthday, but to do that, I need to ask your father for your hand, a formal engagement, and I'm afraid to upset him."
"He's been home for two days, and it's been well over a week since he's had any heart problems. Besides," she said, taking his hand. "he's aware of our commitment. I really don't think he'd be upset."
"Maybe," Torian said, but his frown remained. It would be just his luck that Corso would have to go back into the medcenter, or worse, he thought. Caly tugged on his hand, bringing him back from his thoughts.
"I'll go with you," she offered, but he shook his head.
"No, this is a man to man thing," he told her, and she shrugged.
"I'll go see Mom and check on how he's doing, and send you a message," she told him now, and he reluctantly nodded. He really wanted to make things official before too much longer, he felt like a lech just staying with her all the time, like it was unseemly, somehow, even though the Commander had requested it. With a plan in place, however dubious it seemed, they readied themselves to go out into the day.
Miriah had been in her office for a few hours, and had almost caught up on everything that needed to be done. Now she pondered an idea she had last night, one that had woken her. She was still trying to figure out if it was viable before mentioning it to anyone, and stood to walk over to the workstation Corso usually used. Running her fingers over it, she wondered how he was feeling. He had been doing well, but when she left this morning, he was still asleep, and she hated to wake him. He was more relaxed being in his own place, and loved having her beside him in bed. The one night they slept together in the medcenter was a disaster, with techs coming in all night to make sure everything was okay, but Miriah thought it was really to see the Commander of the Eternal Alliance in pajamas. Even still, it was good to have everybody home. She still didn't feel comfortable with family outside the secure area, but so far, no one had left.
The whole episode on Zakuul was still a little fuzzy in her mind. She clearly had been dosed with something major, she thought, to have blurred so much of her memory. She sighed, and wondered again about her idea. The one to send Corso to Dantooine to keep him safe, away from her. On one hand, it would put him in a place where there were no gangs, no supporters of the Eternal Empire under Valkorion or his children. He'd be safe, and could be outside with his animals, without worrying about being a target. But then, it only took one good sniper, Aric had taught her that much. And they'd be apart, which would make them both miserable. Maybe I'll get Aric's input, if he doesn't go ballistic, then maybe it has merit. She sent him a message and tried to focus on the rest of the reports in front of her.
Aric pulled a chair up in Solasta's office. The General had just put the baby in the portable crib, and she was sleeping soundly. Solasta had a soft smile on her face, and turned her attention to Aric. "What's up?" she asked. She'd been kept in the information loop as she was on leave, and now that she was back at least half days in the office, Aric wanted to update her on the small contingent of detail troopers he had on the ground in Zakuul. When he had finished, Solasta sat back and thought about his words before speaking
"And Miriah knows of this?" she asked, and knew the answer in the corresponding shrug of Aric's shoulders. "Don't you think she should? By now, things have settled enough that I'm sure she would be fine with knowing what's going on. Besides, if they find something, she's going to know then, and I'd bet she won't be so understanding at that point."
"You're right," Aric said, and stood, the message on his datapad from the boss herself. "By the way, anytime you need a sitter, we'd be happy to stand in." Solasta let out a light trill of laughter.
"You'd have to lock the grandparents up somewhere to get a chance," she answered, and waved as he left. Solasta sighed, it was good to be back in the thick of things.
Caly was turning the corner to the office when the detail stopped her for a moment before letting her go to her mother. Mom looks worried, she thought, and hugged the smaller woman. "Mom, how are things? How's Dad today?" she asked.
"He was still sleeping when I left," Miriah responded. "But he seems to be doing well. I was just about to go home and check on him."
"Okay, let's go together," Caly said, and pulled on her mother's arm. Laughing, the two women waited for the detail and started down the hallway. Once at the apartment, Caly loped ahead and into Corso's arms. He was in the kitchen, making lunch, and left it for Caly to finish as he found his wife. Once she was in his embrace, he felt whole.
"Darlin', I sure did miss you this morning," he told her, kissing her cheek as she pulled back to look at his face.
"How's everything today?" she asked softly, and could see in his eyes that he was rested and relaxed. He confirmed her observation, telling her he felt like his normal self, and was ready to be back with her in the office, citing his projects that needed his attention. "Maybe tomorrow?" she asked.
"This afternoon, if that's okay." Miriah let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, and admitted to herself that it felt right to have him with her.
"Of course, it's okay. I miss you when you're not there," she told him, and he bent his head to kiss her just as Caly called them for lunch.
Aric had left Solasta and made his way directly to Miriah's office, but she had already gone. Odd, he thought, and decided to find Maura instead. He met her and Missy in the mess hall, and was pleased to see them getting along so well. We still need to figure out how to get Missy on Zakuul, he thought. Now that I have the other team there, I feel a lot better about her going. He ate and listened to the woman chat about the family and Colin's upcoming wedding. He was thinking about how long it had been since his kids were toddlers, and missed them saying his name, until Maura pulled on his sleeve. "Oh, sorry, what did you say?" he asked, a sheepish grin on his face.
"I was wondering when I might be heading out," Missy asked, reluctant to give away anything more.
"I'm meeting with the Commander this afternoon, I'll have more info them," he replied, and stood. "In fact, I'll go see if she's back in the office now." He kissed his wife's cheek and headed out, putting his hands in his pockets to protect them from the cold wind that howled around the courtyard, shivering slightly. At least Zakuul is warm year round, he thought, and wondered if he should go. No, Theron would never come near me, he told himself. At least the snow is melting, at last. He headed into the secure area, his head filled with ideas and plans for not only the detail on Zakuul but ways to improve security on Zakuul. He was so lost in his thoughts that he almost ran head long into Lana, who had been watching him as he neared the offices.
Lana pulled Aric aside and hissed into his ear, "You have people on Zakuul? It might have been a good idea to let me know. I just found out from Senya, because they were almost arrested by her forces."
Aric blushed, but held his ground. "Well if that's true then they shouldn't be down there," he told her. "Yes, I sent people down to try and find out who sent Mir back."
"I thought we were going to send Missy to Zakuul to lure Theron out," she said, hands on her hips. She had been furious since Senya's call, and was also confused at being left out of the plan. "When did the Commander authorize this?" When Aric only frowned, she realized the truth. "She doesn't have a clue, does she?"
"I was heading in there to tell her myself," he muttered, not meeting her gaze.
"You'd better hurry. Senya was not happy, and it wouldn't surprise me if she wasn't going to call Miriah after she talked to me." Aric shot forward, leaving Lana to shake her head in exasperation.
Miriah looked up when Aric burst into the office, and felt glad that Caly had persuaded her father to stay at the apartment this afternoon. He looks ashamed, she thought, and motioned for him to sit. When he'd explained what was going on down on Zakuul, he sat quietly as she regarded him with her silver gaze. "So, I got a bug up my ass and went to try and get Theron without telling anyone, and then you sent troops down to see who had saved me, without telling anyone. Seems to me we need to be more open with each other, is all." She saw Aric visibly relax and tried not to chuckle. "I'm sorry. I know I never said it, but I am. Now, let's hear what the troops have found?"
"Nothing," Aric said, a half smile lifting one side of his face.
"So let's get Missy down as soon as possible, and please, alert Senya," Miriah said, and Aric nodded. They stood at the same time, and Miriah went around the desk to hug her brother in law. "Besides, I have another question for you." She explained her thoughts about Dantooine, but before she had finished, he was shaking his head.
"Sorry, Mir. It's just not a good idea. We'd have to keep him inside even there, and have another set of guards."
Miriah sighed. "I figured as much, but I worry. He is my everything, and anyone who knows me, knows that." She sat again and Aric felt his heart go out to her.
"I know, I'd consider it if it were Maura, as well. But he's safest here, with you. Besides, he would be a heartbroken, pathetic mess without you, too." Miriah laughed and Aric left, feeling a few pounds lighter than earlier.
Torian waited for Corso to answer the chime. "Hey, Torian. Caly is here, but I think she was planning a soak in Mir's tub."
"That should help her relax, she's been so keyed up about the internship," Torian replied, following Corso into the family room. "Besides, I really wanted to talk to you alone."
Corso regarded the young man for a moment. This had better be about their engagement and not any boundaries he might have crossed, he thought, and braced himself with a couple of deep breaths. "Okay, I'm ready," he said.
Torian shifted on his feet before sitting across from Corso. "I know she's your youngest and your only daughter. I love her with all that I am, and I would like to formally ask for Caly's hand in marriage."
Corso watched the young man's heart shining in his eyes. He knew without a doubt that Torian loved his daughter the way he loved Miriah, without reservations or conditions. He loved Caly for who she was, not what she could do for him. He still felt a little odd about it, but figured it was because she was his little girl. Still, he nodded, and saw Torian breathe. "I know you love her, but she's still my daughter, and I'll hold you responsible for her wellbeing. Also, the wedding will not be soon, right?"
"Right, I just got anxious with all that's happened, and wanted to make my intentions clear and above board," Torian said, trying to keep the grin off his face. "I have a ring, that I wanted to give her for her birthday, too, but I first I had to ask you."
"You're a good man, Torian. I will welcome you into the family with open arms." They shook hands, but Corso pulled the young man in for a hug, and when they parted, he saw Torian's frown.
"You're okay, no heart issues from this?"
Corso laughed. "None at all. I'm going to be fine from now on, no fudging on my caf intake or slacking off on exercise."
"Good," Torian said. "We need you around for a long time."
Miriah got home shortly after Torian and Caly left, and Corso greeted her with a hug, squeezing her against him, just happy to have her in his arms. He told her about Torian's visit. Her response was that it was a good thing that he did. Corso agreed, and pulled Miriah down on the sofa. "Now, let's be kids ourselves," he told her, kissing her as she giggled. It really was good to get back to their normal.
Missy put the finishing touches on her gear bag, her excitement mounting. She had always loved field ops, and this one would be her chance to prove herself to Aric and the Alliance. She knew there was a small chance she could lure Theron out, but she figured their past would at least make him curious. She had only learned, in talking with Maura today, that Theron had married Lana Beniko, and that she had divorced him after his defection. He might not even know about that, she mused. At any rate, they had a lot to talk about. She patted the bag and placed it beside the door, hoping the call came early for her flight.