Corso stood outside the glass door of the shower, making sure Miriah was doing okay on her own. She'd been just sitting on the bench, but now she stood under the steaming water, working shampoo through her long hair. His breath caught and his entire body tightened as she stretched her left arm up. Even after so many years, she was beautiful in anyone's book, he thought, and then realized the problem. With her right side still sore, she was having trouble with her hair. In seconds, he'd stripped off the pajamas he'd had on and was by her side, his hands in her wet hair, but his mouth on hers. She returned his kiss, hoping for more since their wet bodies were sliding deliciously together. "You're still..."
"Shut up and kiss me," she murmured against his lips, before he'd voiced his concern. His mind might have had concerns, but his body surely did not, and they enjoyed each other completely before they exited the shower, the water only lukewarm by then. Miriah had a huge grin on her face until she started to pull clothes from her side of the built in dresser. "Oh no," she said with a sigh. "I have nothing to wear." Corso looked at her with a frown.
"Of course you do, darlin'. There's half a closet there with..."
"No, not for being a big shot fancy pants," she said. "My best set of leather armor is gone, and Arcann will eventually pay for that, but it leaves me with only the jacket that you don't like me to wear." The one she spoke of showed way more skin than he was comfortable with other men seeing, and he shook his head.
"Hang on," he said. "Let me see if anyone has any ideas." Corso went out into the ship, and found Maura. When he'd explained the situation, she shook her head.
"Anything I would have, would be two sizes too big for her on a good day, probably three sizes right now," she said, concern in her eyes. They looked up as Mags approached them, a large box in her hands.
"I need to speak to the Miriah," she said, and Corso took the box from her.
"She's in our quarters, facing a wardrobe dilemma," he said, and followed Mags down the short hallway. When they entered, Miriah had on her gray shimmersilk robe, and her hair, now dry, tumbled down her back in waves, and he felt his body respond to her again. Magdalane crossed to where she sat, and sat across from her.
"Lana had this made, when you were in carbonite, in preparation for a day like this one," Mags said, and opening the box, started to pull out black garments with dark gray trim. "This is a revolutionary fabric, it offers the same armoring as leather, but it's cloth woven with durasteel." Mags pulled out an entire suit of this new armor, and Miriah smiled.
"How do you know it will fit me," she asked, fingering the soft but strong fabric.
"She had your bioscans from the chamber," Mags told her, and had the grace to blush slightly. Miriah shrugged and stood, holding the top against her.
"I think it will fit, and it looks exactly right for today," Miriah told her, beaming. She left them to go try on the pieces, and when she emerged, Corso felt his heart kick. The black pants fit her well, and the black and gray tunic was perfectly cut. Magdalane took in and let out a large breath.
"You look like a commander, Mir," she said. "We should be landing in about three hours, according to Aric. Are you ready?" Lana had told her to have a few words prepared, and she'd worked on them between resting for the past two days. At Mags's question, she nodded.
"Even if I forget exactly what I wrote, I'll be fine," Miriah said. She sat to pull on boots, opting for a pair that was plain in decoration but fit the somber tone she wanted. Corso still couldn't pull his eyes from her.
"You look beautiful, love," he told her, tilting her head to kiss her. "Go, eat something. I'll be out in a few." She kissed him once more, lingering in it, before sighing and walking to the door. He watched her go, thankful that she seemed stronger today.
Devin sat at the table, pushing his food around. He was nervous, and trying to hide it. Miriah sat across from him as Aric brought her a mug of hot cocoa. "Thanks," she smiled up at him, and Devin looked at his mother.
"You look nice, Mom. Very authoritative," he told her.
"Thanks, Dev. You look troubled," she observed. He wore black as well, and had his lightsaber at his waist.
"Just a little uncertain about all this. Who exactly is already on this planet? I mean, we know nothing about these people. I don't think Lana would lure us into a trap, but.." Miriah put her hand on his, stopping his words.
"Just take it as it comes, Dev. I trust Lana, and while we won't know who's there until we land, we'll figure it out." Aric sipped his caffa, listening to them.
"I am looking forward to having more people involved," he added. "Seems like it's just been this small group for a long time now." Devin nodded, he'd felt that way since they'd found Miriah. "Maybe, just maybe, we'll have some real talent. Lana said there were military leaders as well as scientists and such."
"I'm only hoping for a shared goal, with some good ideas thrown in," Maura mused, joining them at the table. She'd brought a plate of food for Miriah, and thrown in a couple of pieces of chocolate.
"Hey! I didn't get chocolate with breakfast," Aric said with a grin. Miriah laughed, but she knew that anything she ate now would only make her uncomfortable. She hated public speaking, and hated even more being in the spotlight, but she knew that this was something she'd have to get over. Devin saw her hesitation.
"Eat something, Mom. I'll help if it makes you queasy," he told her, pushing the plate toward her. "I got a message from Logan. They're taking a few days on Alderaan before taking off again." That made Miriah smile, and she took a bite of the omelet. Not Cor's, she thought, but not bad. She took another small bite, and looked up to see her husband enter. Maura got up and brought breakfast back to her brother in law, and noted that they'd all dressed in their armor, gearing for the unknown.
When Miriah descended the ramp of her ship, she blinked in the bright sunlight. She inhaled the scent of trees and green, the air fresh and slightly cool. She heard Corso, on her right, do the same. "It's a little bit of heaven, this place," he told her quietly. Devin was on her left as they walked to where Lana stood.
"Welcome to Odessen," she told them, her smile relaxed and open. "We are all so glad you've arrived safely. Come, let me show you around this part, and then I'll take you to the command post." She guided them around where workers were mounting defense turrets into what appeared to be solid rock, and everyone Miriah met looked at her with awe and respect. She's being received well, Lana thought. Even if she and her two men look absolutely fearsome. She bit back a chuckle, Miriah flanked by her son and husband did indeed present an intimidating front. After Miriah made a short speech to the workers, to thunderous applause, she blushed, which made her all the more human, and endeared her to many there. Lana then took them to the upper level of the base.
Miriah looked around at all the activity, and realized that they just might have something great building. She had just turned to grin at Corso when she saw both him and Devin move in front of her, and she caught a glimpse of someone, a man in a red jacket, hurrying toward her.
Devin had pulled his lightsaber but not thumbed it to life when Lana put her hand on his arm. Corso's blaster began to emit it's high pitched whine when the approaching figure put both hands in the air. "Whoa, whoa. I come in peace. I'm an old friend of Lana's and, really Miriah, too!" he stated, stopping in his tracks. Lana confirmed his statement with a nod, and while Corso put Torchy back in his holster, his hand remained on the grip. "After all this time, it's nice to see you again," the man said, and Corso realized that he recognized the voice.
"Theron, you must realize that your usual abrupt mannerisms need polish," Lana scolded him. Corso and Devin relaxed, and Miriah moved forward to greet the former SIS agent.
"It's been a long time," she said, and before anyone could stop him, Theron hugged her. Lana felt both Riggs men tense, but Miriah merely smiled at Theron.
"It has, indeed. I've kept up with what was going on, through Lana, but it's wonderful to see you again," he replied, and turned to hold out his hand to Corso, who took it after a moment's hesitation.
"We've put together a little reception in the cantina for later," Lana told them, and Theron said goodbye. Lana took them to the command center of the base. "Here is where you'll be staying," she said. "We've put family all above the cantina, but for your safety, your secure quarters are here. This is where the guts of the planning and strategy take place," she told them as she keyed the lift. When they stepped off, they were in the main room of what appeared to be an extravagant bunker. Miriah looked around her, noting the technology and people.
After touring the large command center, and meeting the leaders working there, Miriah's mind was spinning and she was getting tired. Devin immediately felt it, and caught Lana's attention. "Mom is getting tired, and needs a short break," he told her. "She's better, but still somewhat in recovery." Lana agreed.
"Let me take you to your room, then," she said, leading them away from the military area. She went down a hallway and directly into a small apartment, complete with seating area and a droid who was cleaning. Corso led Miriah over and sat with her, while Devin pulled bottled water from the small cooler.
Miriah looked around at the room while she drank, and nodded approval. "It's fine, Lana," she said, in response to Lana's apology over the size. "Corso and I don't need much, just a place to sleep and a shower."
"Exactly," Corso confirmed. As long as I'm with Miriah, I'd sleep on these rocks, he thought. They sat quietly for a few minutes, and Miriah closed her eyes, putting her head on his arm. "Tired?" he asked her in a low voice.
"Yes," she confirmed. "I thought I was completely well, but maybe I'm not quite there yet." Corso fished in a pocket, and with a smile, pulled out a small bar of chocolate. Miriah grinned when he handed it to her, and kissed his nose. "You always surprise me, sugar." She unwrapped the treat and sighed as it melted on her tongue. When she could speak again, she gave him a sly look. "I will reward you appropriately later." Corso's blush made her giggle, attracting the attention of Devin and Lana. "Let's go to the reception," she told them, standing.
At the cantina, she saw Koth and Theron standing together, and Senya was at the bar, saying something about singing for them. They all laughed, and greeted each other. Maura and Aric were at a table, already beginning the celebration, Magdalane and Felix with them. Miriah saw Devin stand straighter, and didn't have to turn to know that Mia had entered the room. We're only missing those already on their way to us, Miriah thought, and hoped that Logan was being careful. She pulled Corso over to her sister's table, and they sat, enjoying the camaraderie and hope that suffused the room. Corso put his arm around her, and she smiled at him, content. Maybe we do have a chance, she thought.