Miriah was dreaming. She was back in her house, on Dantooine. Corso had put a fire in the kitchen fireplace, and they were having dinner on the floor in front of it. She was happy, and rested, and when they had finished eating, they cuddled on the over sized pillows that were thrown around. Feeling warm and loved, she slowly opened her eyes, and the day rushed back into her mind. The apartment was still and quiet, and she moved her head to glance at the chrono. Middle of the night, she saw, and was suddenly very aware that her bladder was what woke her. Gingerly, she swung a leg over the side of the bed, and had almost put the other one down when she realized Caly was under her feet, wrapped in a sleeping bag, her hair covering her face. Miriah grinned down at her, and with her remaining strength, pulled her legs back onto the bed. The movement woke Corso, and he sat up beside her.
"Darlin', don't try to move, just tell me what you need," he whispered, and she reached out to put her hand on his face.
"I need to get up," she said, and pointed to where the dim light shone under the partially closed door. Corso helped her to the opposite edge of the bed and held her steady, but halfway there her knees buckled under her and he carried her in. When she'd finished, he helped her to the sink, and Miriah saw herself. Her skin still held a greenish cast, and her eyes looked too large for her face. "I do look terrible, I thought you all were exaggerating your facial expressions," she confessed, and Corso hugged her.
"You look sick, but better than this time yesterday," he told her.
"I almost stepped on Caly," she told him, and he grinned.
"You gotta see this then," he told her, and carried her back into their bedroom. In the very low light, she peered over the foot of the bed, stifling her laugh when she saw Aric asleep on the floor, the small blanket he'd used exposing his legs and head. Corso smiled at her as she struggled not to burst out laughing, and helped her back into their bed.
"I needed that," she whispered when she was able to control herself again.
"I needed you, this," he told her, settling her against his chest. She instantly slid into the pull of sleep again, and felt Corso kiss her forehead as she relaxed in his arms. At least part of the dream came true, she thought, slipping under the spell of Corso's warmth and gentle hands on her back.
When Miriah opened her eyes again, Corso and Caly were both gone, but Aric kept his vigil, head bent to his datapad, only this time in the chair. She watched him silently for a bit, and when he became aware she was awake, he met her eyes. "Good to see you awake, Spitfire. We were beginning to worry," he told her.
"I'm better," she said. "You didn't have to spend the night on the floor, Aric." He shrugged and stood, placing his datapad on the dresser.
"I figured the odds were good that you two wouldn't get naked, as bad as you felt," he joked, but his face was serious. "Mir, we have to discuss some of the things that have happened. Do you feel strong enough yet?"
Miriah thought for a minute. "I'd like a shower and a little something to eat first, but we are definitely going to talk." Aric nodded and left, and Miriah pulled herself to sit on the edge of the bed, her dizziness fading by the time Corso hurried to her. He helped her shower and had her back in bed, and as he went for the food Caly had prepared, every ingredient scanned twice before use, Aric resumed his post.
"You really don't have to be here all the time," Miriah said softly, her face filled with worry.
"Mir, yes, I do. There is a very active threat, one who knows how we operate, out there. I feel guilty that he's been able to make as many attempts on your life as he has, and furious that he keeps trying. I have to be here." Aric rubbed his face with both hands, his fatigue and worry wearing on him. Maura had taken the sofa last night, but he knew he wouldn't get any rest at all if he weren't in close proximity to Miriah.
"Okay then, let's talk about what needs to be done," she said, realizing that Aric needed some plan to feel in control.
"I need Corso to have his focus solely on you, that way I don't have to worry about anyone getting too close physically."
"I'm sure I'll be perfectly fine with that," she replied, and couldn't help the smile.
"We need to go back to the larger detail, Mir. At least for any movement outside the secure area. I agree, you need to be more visible here at home, but we have to be smart about it." Aric paced as he talked, and Miriah could see the strain he'd been under, probably since before Umbara, she admitted to herself. "Nothing goes in your mouth without being scanned. Not even water." He looked at Miriah for her agreement and she nodded. She knew that another episode like the one she'd just escaped would be very hard to come back from. Aric stopped and turned to her. "Please, tell me you're not still talking about quitting. Trust is a very valuable thing, and you have the trust of so many, Mir. We all want you to stay. Honestly, you're a target even out of office. Crazy is crazy, and they really don't care as long as their target lives." Miriah thought about that for a second, and shivered. He was right, she thought, and she really did want things to be stable for a while.
"Okay, Aric. You've got free rein to do what needs to be done, and I'll comply," she told him.
Corso had been about to bring in a tray when he heard Aric talking, and stopped outside the door, listening. With Miriah agreeing, he closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. All he ever wanted was Miriah safe and happy. With Aric on the job, he didn't worry so much, and with her promise to comply, all he had to do was keep others away from her as needed. He breezed into the bedroom then, brandishing the tray with a smile. "Tea and toast, a little fruit that Caly swears will help replenish the vitamins in your body, and some of the broth from last night," he told her, placing the tray across her lap.
"Thanks, sugar. Aric has a plan," she told him, and other than being tired, she felt better than she had earlier. As she nibbled slowly, making sure her ravaged stomach was accepting of the food, she listened to Aric and Corso discuss the next few days, her eyes beginning to droop as her strength waned. She closed her eyes, only for a moment, settled and warm, inside and out.
"Mir, is that okay..." Corso turned to see her asleep, but more than half of the food gone, and it made him happy. He and Aric walked back out, but Aric stopped outside the door.
"I'll stay here," he said, and Corso nodded, knowing Aric's protectiveness had been triggered and would only relent as Miriah got better. I'm okay with that, he thought, and joined Caly in the kitchen, thinking of things Mir might like later.
Lana had spent a restless night, waking several times, worried about Miriah. Now, she sat in her office, across from Solasta, who had limped in to confer on a strategy for infiltrating Copero. They had several plans of attack, and Solasta was tired. Lana encouraged her to go and rest, and wandered out to the mess hall. She had just gotten settled in her seat when Arcann appeared at her side. "Might I join you?" he asked, and she nodded. He placed his own food down and they ate in silence at first, but Arcann finally spoke. "I heard the Commander isn't feeling well, and that it's related to the closure of the sweets shop."
Lana met his eyes, and was again startled at how blue they were. "She's a little under the weather, but feeling better today, Corso says. The sweets shop should be open a little later today, I didn't know you had such a taste for them." She saw the momentary confusion on Arcann's face before he smiled, transforming his appearance.
"I suppose I should contact Jorgan about joining her personal security," he said. "I came into base to pick up a list of supplies for the settlement, but wanted to offer." Lana confirmed that Aric would be the person to contact, and they fell into silence again. Lana stood to gather her dishes, but Arcann took them from her, garnering a thanks. As he turned to take them to the disposal area, he turned back. "Lana, it was very wrong for Theron to leave as he did, but he was even more a fool to leave you behind." Lana was struck mute by his words, and still had no reply when he waved walking out the door.
Corso finally convinced Aric to go home, just for a short rest. He knew the Cathar was running on fumes after his poor sleep the evening before, and also that he just needed a break. He swore he'd be by Miriah's side the whole time, and that the HK units at the door were on high alert, and finally Aric relented. He entered the apartment and was met by Maura's hug, and he held her tightly against him. She pulled him into the shower, and as much as they kissed and touched, by the time they hit their bed, they were both too tired to do anything but hold each other and sleep. It was the first time they'd slept in their bed since Miriah had been taken to the medcenter, and they slept deeply until early evening. Aric woke alone, and realized he felt more like himself than he had in a month or more. His mind was settled and his outlook positive. He dressed quickly, and found the apartment empty. He was about to go hunt his mate down when she came through the door, her arms laden with supplies and food. He helped her put everything down, and they ate. Maura noted that Aric seemed better, more cheerful and more rested than usual, but didn't say anything, content to be with him like this. She knew he would return to guard her sister, she expected no less, but instead he pulled her back to bed. They needed a little time together, he reasoned, and he'd be back at his post before midnight.
Calypso lay with her mother. They'd talked for a bit, Miriah slowly eating a little more than she had at lunch, and now they slept. Corso found them like that, and had to smile. He would leave them alone, he decided, taking the tray into the kitchen. He was alerted to Lana's presence by the HK units and met her at the door. "Lana, how are things out there?" he asked, sitting down with her at the kitchen table.
"Things are going well. General Dinn and I worked on the Copero insertion, we have several plans to go over. But that's not why I'm here." She gratefully took the tea Corso made for her and continued. "Is Miriah still talking about leaving the position?"
"No, she and Aric had a good, long overdue, talk about security and trust." Coros watched the relief infuse Lana as her facial features relaxed and her whole body seemed to sigh.
"Thank the force,"she said, sipping her tea. "Okay, then. Maybe I can sleep tonight." Corso chuckled and pushed a plate of cookies to her.
"I think everyone will," he said, biting into a cookie. Caly did a great job on these, he thought, and remembered she was with Miriah. He escorted Lana out, and saw Aric jogging toward him, looking pleased with himself and rested. Here we go, Corso thought, and let his brother in law and best friend into the apartment.
