Corso had slept fitfully, off and on since Mags had made her last visit to check on Miriah. When he blinked his eyes open, he realized Miriah was making soft pain sounds. He sat up and reached for the injector, giving his wife the dose of medicine that Mags had left. He pulled the lights up a little and reached for the handheld scanner, powering it up and then slowly moving it over her. When the numbers stayed green, he put it away and started to dim the lights again when he saw tears glistening on Miriah's face. He cupped her face in his large hands, wiping her tears with his thumbs before gently kissing her cheeks. He murmured to her, telling her he loved her, and that she was with him, and that he wouldn't let her get in so much pain again. He wasn't sure if she could hear him, but he felt when the pain meds started to work on her, and he kissed her once more before getting up. It was still night, according to the lighting on the ship, but Corso knew he would stay awake for a while. I should have been paying more attention, he thought. I hate it when she's in pain. He ran both hands through his hair and went toward the shower.
Magdalane felt Miriah's pain through their force connection, and started to get up when Felix put his hand on her arm. "It's Miriah," she whispered.
"Corso is with her, hon. You know that," Felix responded quietly. "He needs to be useful, let him. If he needs you, he'll let you know." She sighed, and he rubbed her arm. "You need to rest, too." He pulled her down to lie beside him, feeling her relax against him. Mags knew Felix was right, but she worried. When she felt Miriah's pain ease, she was able to close her eyes again.
Devin felt Miriah's pain as if it were his own, and sat straight up from his deep sleep. He'd already dressed hurriedly and crossed the room when he felt her start to get relief, and he stopped, his hand on the door. He took a deep breath and went out, toward the galley, stopping dead in his tracks when he saw Mia on the other side of the sofa. "Are you okay?" he asked her, his voice quiet but filled with concern.
"I'm fine, I felt the captain's pain through the force, and wanted to be near, in case she needed me," Mia answered, rubbing her eyes. "I came earlier but she was resting well, and I decided to stay here," she pointed to the sofa. Devin heard her words, but felt the tug of attraction that was always present when they were this close. He took a step toward her, and when she didn't object, took another. Before he could even think, he'd closed the distance between them. Mia merely looked up at him, and he almost panicked before he recalled seeing his father caress his mother's face before gently putting his lips on hers. Unconsciously, he mimicked the gesture, and when he lifted his head, they were both breathless.
"Wow," was all Devin could say, and Mia blushed. Devin was considering another kiss when his father came down the short hallway. Instead, he took a step backward, giving Mia a moment to recover.
"Dev, Mia," Corso said, hiding his smile before going into the galley for a drink. Miriah called that one, he thought as he chuckled to himself. She'll be happy. He grabbed a couple of bottles of water from the cooler and retraced his path, which was now empty. He saw Devin standing over his mother as he entered their quarters, but didn't question his son about Mia. Instead, he sat in the chair at the foot of the bed.
"She was in pain, but I'm guessing you took care of that?" Devin asked, his eyes never leaving Miriah and his force aura wavering over her still form. Corso nodded, drinking. After a few seconds, Devin turned his gaze to his dad. "I know Mom told you about Mia," he said. "What advice do you have, Dad?"
Corso grinned and thought for a moment. "Follow your heart," he said. "If Mia's the one, you'll know it. Probably already do, if you're honest with yourself. Be honest with her, too." Devin sat on the floor at his father's side.
"I know, I've seen you and Mom love each other all my life, but there are obstacles.."
"Dev, love is a leap of faith. There are no guarantees, and once you make the leap, there's no net under you. But it's the most wonderful, terrific, terrifying leap you'll ever make. Even if it's only to crash and burn on the other side, you'll learn something about yourself." Corso put his hand on his son's shoulder. "I was so scared to tell your mom how I felt, but I knew I had to. I knew if I didn't, I'd lose the opportunity to be happy for the rest of my life. You've got time, son. Let Mia come to her own senses about it all, that's what I had to do with Miriah, too." They sat in silence for a while, until Corso felt his eyes getting heavy. He stood and held out his hand for Devin, who took it and stood. "I'm going to try and sleep a bit more, can you tell if she's still comfortable?" he asked.
"She's resting, not in pain," Devin told him after a moment. "Thanks, Dad." They hugged and Devin left the room while Corso slid under the blanket, taking Miriah in his arms again.
"I love you, darlin'. I'm here, so rest," he whispered to her, and took comfort in her even breathing and relaxed body. Just before he drifted to sleep, she grasped his shirt, only for a moment, but it made him have hope that she'd be back with them soon.
Maura and Aric were up early, and had started breakfast when Mags and Felix joined them. Elara and Logan were next, and by the time they sat down, Lana, Koth, and Senya had joined them. The mood was decidedly more relaxed than yesterday, and they kept up the banter while they cleaned up. Lana took a moment to approach Magdalane, and asked how Miriah was doing. "Better," Mags said, "she needed some pain relief last night, but today she just seems to be resting. She needs rest, almost as much as she needs to eat more." Lana agreed.
"Her constant headache is probably at least half that," she commented, seeing Mags nod. Lana waited until the clean up was done, and asked Logan to go get his brother and father. When all were gathered, she spoke. "I've gotten some interesting information since the Battle of Asylum. It's given hope to a galaxy that's had little in the past years. There's an alliance forming, of both Imperials and Republic citizens, that wants to fight." She looked around the room, seeing curiosity and a little apprehension. "They want Miriah to lead it." Corso looks concerned, she thought. Aric too.
"So, Miriah would be the commander of allied forces, put together to fight Arcann and the Eternal Empire?" Aric asked.
"That's it, exactly," Lana said, and the hope in her voice was plain. Her eyes were alight with excitement, and she could see that the others were coming to her vision.
"I could get behind that," Aric said, nodding slowly. "What do you think, Cor?"
Corso was silent for a few moments. "Well, I know she can do it. I know she'll probably think she should do it." He stood and paced a few steps. "I'll stand behind whatever she decides, but I believe she'll take the reins and lead the rebellion." He still didn't look exactly happy about it, Lana thought, but maybe he'll realize that this is the start of something great. She watched as he returned to Miriah, his head lost in thought.
Corso entered their quarters and sighed. Mir, you won't believe what they want now, he thought. Maybe, it's better to be in command than out in the middle of combat. Maybe, you'll be the glue for the alliance that you are for the family. He took her tiny hand in his and sat beside her. What if you get to be the Commander of Allied Forces, and be so in demand that you don't have any time for anything else? He sighed again, and knew he was getting ahead of himself.
Devin waited until the meeting had adjourned, and the galley area cleared, to approach Mia. She was sitting at the dining table, a cup of caffa in her hands. She looked up, and her eyes were so blue they appeared violet. He sat, not next to her as he would have liked, but across from her. She smiled at him shyly. "Your mother is doing much better today," she said. He nodded, unable to speak around the tightness in his chest. He recalled his father's words, and decided to be casual with her.
"She is, I think Dad is ready for her to be awake, but she is doing better, pain wise at least," he replied. He waited in silence for a minute, and then he looked up, surprised, when Mia took his hand.
"I am glad, Devin." She smiled at him then, and he felt that wholeness of being that Corso had told him about.
Logan and Elara sat together in their quarters, both nervous and excited. The medical device, which would tell them the news they awaited, hummed on the bed between them. "What if it's negative," Elara asked. "Will you be angry?"
"No, love. Not angry. We have plenty of time. But if it's positive? Elara, it will be such wonderful news!" They both jumped when the device beeped, and looked at the screen together. Elara couldn't contain her squeal of happiness, and Logan held her in his arms, both content with the results.
Corso spent the day with his wife, even if she didn't know it. He read and slept beside her, always touching her, trying not to worry about what was ahead but failing miserably. By the time the ship's lighting signaled night, Miriah was starting to move on her own a bit, making him relax about her health. He was asleep, holding against him, when she woke. After a few moments, Corso startled out of his sleep, shaking slightly, and realized she was looking at him. "Hey, sugar," she said, her voice low and weak. He sat up and helped her, turning the bottle of water up so that she could drink. "Oh, that's good," she said, closing her eyes again. He thought she'd drifted under again when she spoke. "How long, this time?"
"Only a couple of days, darlin'. Here, let me help you," he said as she struggled to sit up fully, wincing in pain as she did. "Easy there, you're still recovering. Do you remember what happened?" he asked her.
"Oh yeah," she whispered. "Dev was incredible." He was telling her what Devin had told him about the fight when he realized she had gone limp in his arms, and settled her again against the pillows with a smile. He kissed her forehead and went to the galley for some light food and more water, determined to get her well.
Morning found them all happy that Miriah was waking up more, and Corso was smiling. Lana had asked to talk to her about the alliance, and they'd agreed. When she sat in the chair beside the bed, Corso holding Miriah's hand, Lana explained about the battle and what had happened since. Miriah seemed shocked, and looked at Corso with a frown. "What does this mean? I thought we'd defeat Arcann, then go home to Dantooine. That won't happen if I accept this." She leaned against Corso's shoulder, her limited energy waning. He merely held her, rocking her slightly and rubbing her back. "I know, you are all counting on me doing this. Can I have tonight to talk it over with Corso?" she asked Lana, who agreed.
After the day passed, with everyone wanting to see and hug Miriah, they finally had time alone. Corso lay with her on the sofa, her body pressed into his. "I know, this will change everything," she said. He moved her hair aside and kissed her neck, feeling her shiver.
"It wasn't what we planned, but if we don't, and things worsen, you'll regret not taking the position," he told her.
"What do you want, sugar?" she asked.
"You. Us. As long as we're together, I'll back you up on anything, love."
"We need to find a safe place for Sarai and the rest of the family," she said, her eyes drifting shut. He felt her sleep, and knew she'd done too much that day. He stood and gathered her in his arms, taking her to their quarters. Tomorrow, they'd figure out how to make it happen. Today, she was recovering and beside him, and his world was, once again, whole.