Miriah stood at the head of the conference room table, and leaned forward. "Aric has found some ties to the Empire that may be part of an invasion force," she said, and watched the faces around her. Aric was to her left, Lana to her right. Corso and Maura took either side in the next chairs, then Admiral Aygo and General Dinn. Torian sat at the end of one side, his face impassive but Miriah knew he was taking in every word. Across from him sat Shae Vizla and Arcann, both watching her as she waited for any response. Devin was in the opposite seat from Miriah's.
"To what planet," Lana finally said, determination on her face.
"We believe the target planet is Ossus. There have been reports of Jedi being led there and never returning," Aric said, and he wondered if there was anyone left on Tython who could research what was left for an idea of what the planet held.
"We have planets near the border that might have some ideas," Aygo said. "I'll contact the duty officers there, and see what we might find out." Miriah nodded. It was a start.
"I'll ask the clan leaders," Shae offered. "If it's out there, one of them must have heard of it."
"At this point, we're information gathering. If we find out that the Empire is attacking this world, we will, of course, offer our help. I have a call scheduled with Coruscant tomorrow, and will pass on the information we've received at that point. Until then, all energies are going to be toward finding out what Vowrawn has planned." Miriah saw the nods around the table, and let out a held breath.
"What do we do if they're not wiling to defend this world?" Maura's voice was soft, but her words held the weight of destiny.
"We go anyway," Miriah said. "We can't let the Empire destroy another world."
Mia was in the small room behind the conference room with the children. Merida had immediately gravitated to Tali, and the girls sat playing as Declan sat with her, his nap time approaching. Mia watched Tali as she gently bounced a stuffed toy, Merida giggling at the antics. She's force sensitive, but has never been shown any guidance, she realized, and smiled when Tali looked at her. Tali let one side of her mouth smile, but she was still very cautious around adults. Mia moved a sleeping Declan to the stroller so he could stretch out, and kissed his cheek. He's getting so big, she realized, and made a mental note to shop for larger clothes. She took a spot in the floor and handed the girls small containers of juice and cookies that Caly had sent over, and they snacked happily. Suddenly Merida jumped up and turned toward the door, and Mia could feel the mixed emotions of the group. Devin is worried, she realized, and saw Merida toddle that way. Tali followed, and they were both waiting at the door when it opened.
Devin saw Merida racing toward Miriah and sent her a message in the force to slow herself. When she wrapped her little arms around Mirah's leg, and Miriah lifted her in her arms, Merida sent a beaming smile to her father, who shook his head wryly. He went to help Mia, seeing that his son hadn't been able to hold out on his nap. Tali was with Mia still, and Devin crouched to her level. "It's okay, Tali. I can feel you in the force, and I know you're still wondering how this all works. Lana is your family now, and she'll take care of you, I promise." He had just finished speaking when Tali threw herself against him, holding on tightly.
Lana came into the room and laughed. "What is it about you Riggs men?"
Devin stood with Tali in his arms. With the force, he told Lana about Tali's force aura, and her mouth fell open.
"I truly wasn't sure," she finally said, and Tali leaned toward her. Lana took her and kissed her head when she was snuggled against her.
"She's repressed it, so that she wouldn't be singled out, but it's there," he said, and Lana put her free hand on his arm.
"Thank you, Devin. I can't even imagine what she's been through up to now, but that's all in the past." Tali had put her head on Lana's shoulder, and Lana felt her love for the child warm them both.
Coleen shuffled into her silent apartment, aching to have brought her daughter home. She sighed and turned to the kitchen, putting on the kettle. Her Aunt Mags told her she could stay at the medcenter, but she felt guilty taking up space there when she wasn't sick. She had turned to hunt the tea when her chime sounded and her grandmother sailed inside, her arms full. "Nana, what have you done?" Coleen chuckled, and Sarai put her things on the small dining table, turning to take Coleen in her arms.
"My sweet girl, I've brought you food and cake and love," she replied, and Coleen closed her eyes. Her mother had been called into a meeting, and had told Coleen that she'd be there after, but she hadn't wanted to wait. She figured if she got a nap in, she could spend the evening in the nursery with Caitlin. Sarai's compassion had tears forming her Coleen's eyes, and when Sarai let her go and stepped back, Coleen missed the warmth of her hug.
"You're amazing, Nana," she said, seeing Sarai take over the tea pot. "I hated to leave but I think I'll recover faster if I can sleep better."
"Very good plan," Sarai said, sorting through the containers on the table before putting one in the middle of the table. "Cookies I made, using Caly's video. She's a good teacher, and they came out lovely." Coleen took one and let the chocolate and sugar melt on her tongue.
"Wow, those are amazing," she said, when she could speak again. Sarai poured her tea and they sat for a bit, chatting about things and enjoying the break in the day. Finally, Sarai stood and patted Coleen's shoulder.
"Go, rest. I'll put all of this away and let myself out. You need to keep your strength up, because when Caitlin gets home, you'll be busier than you ever dreamed. And Coleen," she said, gaining her granddaughter's eyes, "if you need anything at all, all you have to do is ask, okay?" Coleen sighed with relief and nodded, heading to her bed. She'd barely stretched out when she was asleep, and dreamed of having her baby with her.
Miriah had gone back to the office but her head was hurting from the stress and pace of the day. She had slept okay the night before, she thought, but realized her body was tired. Handing off to the duty officer in the war room, she went with the detail to her home, and knew Corso was cooking as she entered. She made her way to the kitchen and he met her, holding her close. "I knew you weren't feeling well," he murmured, and she felt his hands gently kneading the knots in her neck. He pulled her to the sofa, but she stopped walking and pulled out her datapad.
"I need to try and look at the immigration lists, and the research Aric sent.." her words trailed off as Corso took her device and put it on the low table, taking her hands in his.
"A few minutes won't change anything, darlin'. Sit here," he told her, patting the sofa. He got her stretched out and continued to massage her neck and shoulders. With the release of the muscle tightness, she closed her eyes. Corso left her to nap as he finished their dinner, his mind envisioning all the scenarios of the Alliance at war with the Sith. It almost felt good to be against an enemy he'd fought all his life, but he didn't want the stress and danger of Miriah leading that battle. And Aric, his heart divided between Miriah's safety and his granddaughter fighting for her life. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, like Mags taught him. All we can do is the best we can do, he reminded himself, and turned his mind to the grandchildren, hoping he could keep things under control, knowing his wife was going headlong into battle.
Lana took Tali home, feeling the child's fatigue as her little footsteps slowed. Nico had just landed, and would be home soon, and Lana had planned to order food from the mess hall, but now she knew that Tali needed a nap. Maybe I'm pushing her too much, she wondered, and in the elevator, saw the little girl lean on the smooth wall. Lana picked her up, and when Tali's arms went around her neck, she let her force cover them both, seeing Tali's surprised eyes. Lana tried to let her love for the child shine through the force, and for a few moments, she could see the hope and possibility in Tali's gaze. Putting her down for a moment to unlock the apartment, the moment was lost, and Tali followed her inside, making her way to her room and pulling off the beloved shoes. Her stuffed cat under her arm, Tali lay on the bed, afraid to hope but feeling pulled to the tall blonde woman who had offered her so much. Lana looked in on her after a few minutes, and saw her daughter sleeping, a soft smile on her little face.
Aric stretched his arms above his head, wishing he'd grabbed some caf after the meeting. He was sitting with his eyes closed, wondering if he should take a break, when he heard Maura approaching. She crossed to him, placing her lips on his, giggling when his hands circled her hips, pulling her into his lap. "Well, well. I've had worse days," he teased, and kissed her again.
"What have you found, oh seeker of truth?" she asked, and was lost in his next kiss. When they sat up, both wishing the day was done, Maura perched on the corner of the desk. "Coleen went home today, but I'm willing to bet she's back in the nursery now. Mom took her some food earlier, and said she was resting. Mir went home a few minutes ago." She saw her husband sigh and take a datapad from the desk. "You could go home, too, with me."
"Might as well. I'll leave the searches running, and check them in the morning." He stood and took his wife in his arms. "Food?" he asked, but Maura shook her head.
"Just you, big guy. We may not have many carefree nights left." Aric pondered her words, but let them go as they entered their bedroom, his mind only occupied with her.
Miriah had put her datapad away for dinner, and now Corso hoped to keep her away from more work. He had made her laugh through their meal, and now he suggested that they go visit with Caitlin before bed. She'd sent the detail home, but the third HK droid walked with them to the door of the med center. They stood at the window, and saw that the baby had indeed put on weight, and was looking very good. "She looks just like Coleen did as an infant," Miriah said softly, nestled in Corso's arm.
"She does," he agreed, and they had just turned to leave when Coleen approached, her hair sleep mussed and her eyes half open, carrying a caf and a pillow. Corso rushed to her, and hugged her as Miriah took the pillow from her, putting it down on a nearby sofa.
"Sweetie, you need to go home and rest," Miriah said, and saw Coleen shake her head.
"No, no. I got a nap, just woke up, in fact. I'll stay for awhile and then go home for a bit," she promised, hugging her aunt.
Corso grinned at his niece. "That baby is doing great, hon. You really do need to take care of yourself, even with the force healing. She'll be home soon and you'll not get any true sleep for a couple of years."
"I know, but I can't sleep without her, which seems odd but is true." Coleen sighed, but her face lit up with a smile. "She's already got Dad's heart."
"That she does," Corso confirmed, knowing that Aric was already a doting grandfather. They left Coleen as she scrubbed up to hold her infant, and as they crossed the lobby, saw Theron. He was being supported by a droid and a nurse walked beside him. His face was pale and drenched in sweat, and Miriah stopped in her tracks. She'd pushed Theron's surgery to the back of her mind the week before, concentrating on Corso's heart, and now she felt guilt infuse her. She took a step forward, but he feebly held his hand up, stopping her.
"I'm tired, Commander, and I feel like I might be sick. As much as I'd like to talk with you, this isn't a good time," he said, his voice rasping and rough. Miriah nodded and he continued to his room, his steps dragging and slow. She just stood there for a moment, until Corso whispered in her ear.
"We can come back here tomorrow, see what Theron might know about Ossus," he said, and Miriah nodded slowly.
"I should have thought of it sooner," she murmured, and wondered if she still held mistrust of Theron, enough that she might miss important information. She made a mental note to examine that thought, and followed Corso as he pulled her to the elevator.
Lana and Nico had loved each other well after he'd read several books to Tali. She was still shy, but sat beside him and pointed to the pictures, and Lana had grinned at them the whole time. It was close to midnight when she felt the force pull her from sleep, and she sat up on the side of the bed. Tali, she thought, and stood to check on her. Lana found her bed empty, the unmistakable smell of urine in the air, but no Tali. Thinking she might have gone into the refresher, she looked there, but still no little girl. Lana went further into the room, and heard crying from the closet. "Tali, honey, are you okay?" Lana asked softly. As she neared where Tali had put herself in the corner of the small closet, she could finally make out the words she was saying through her tears.
"Bad Tali. So bad. Tali is a bad girl," she said, over and over, her voice hoarse with the time she'd spent there on her knees in the dark. Lana fell to her knees beside the child and put her arms around her.
"Tali is not bad. Tali is a beautiful little girl, and I love her. She might have had an accident, but we all have them sometimes." Her voice was soft, and after a few times of Lana telling her she was not bad at all, Tali turned and put her arms around Lana, letting her tears flow onto her shoulder. Lana picked her up and sat in the rocking chair with her as she began to settle. Lana thought the child was asleep until she heard the little, hoarse voice.
"Tali is good?" she asked, and Lana's heart broke again as she reassured her daughter that nothing in the whole galaxy would make Lana feel differently. Nico found them on the sofa the next morning, both sleeping peacefully.