"What!" Aric yelled, and was immediately remorseful, seeing Miriah's face. "Why? What possible use can she be?"

"I asked the same question," Miriah said, not meeting his eyes. "Chancellor Rans declined to answer."

"I'll bet," Aric huffed, and Miriah saw Solasta's ears were flat and her eyes narrowed. "What if we send them her corpse instead?"

Miriah shook her head. "We'll send her to them. There's a bounty on her head, so there's a possibility that she'll be used to bargain something with the Empire. Or she's still got some cronies that have ties to the Republic Senate. Either way, our only prisoner will soon be away from Odessen."

"I can't believe this is happening," Maura said quietly. "She's a threat, if there ever was one."

"Once she's out of Alliance air space, she's on her own. She'll be considered shoot on sight, an enemy of the Alliance, and there will be a bounty from us on her as well. The Hutts are probably already brokering her bounty hunter." Miriah sat heavily. "It was worth it. We don't have to worry about our ships and supplies now."

Devin briefly wondered if he could discreetly turn Leontyne Saresh into a pile of ashes, like he'd done before to another enemy in an adjacent cell, but discarded the idea. It would be obvious who had done it, and then their deal with the Republic might be null. He saw his mother's face and moved to her side. She tried to smile at him but failed, and he took her in his arms. The hug he'd been wanting since the night before filled him with love for her, and after a bit he let her go. "I'm with you, Mom. It was an acceptable deal."

"I think you're the only one who agrees," she said softly, while others in the room continued to debate the merits of her deal.

"They'll think on it and realize you did what you had to do," he told her. Miriah looked at the chaos in the conference room and wondered if he was right.

Nico had picked Tali up from school and gotten her lunch. The little girl now napped, stretched out on the sofa beside him. She's beginning to grow a little, he thought, gently pulling her shoes off and covering her. He was content, he realized. The constant worry over his runs was gone, and he couldn't believe how much lighter he felt without it. He had a run tomorrow, and would be gone several days. I almost hate to leave, he thought, patting Tali's foot. I really do. But at least I don't have to wonder if I'll make it back. With that thought, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes, and thought of Lana, wondering where she was.

Lana left the conference room and made her way to the office. The Commander's words had made perfect sense but she was afraid. Afraid that Saresh still had powerful allies out there, and that she was sure to stir up trouble at some point. I want to know who she see, where she lives, and what she does, she thought. To do that, I need to figure out who can keep eyes on this awful person. Now, who do I know in the Republic who could do this? She thought for a bit and then sighed. Her network had shrunken greatly after she became the Vice Commander of the Eternal Alliance. She let herself drift in thought then stood suddenly. Quickly, before she talked herself out of it, she sent Theron a message to meet her. Once done, she took a deep breath. If his contacts won't work, we may have to send a plant of our own, but I'd rather not risk being caught. She waited anxiously for Theron to appear.

Theron received Lana's message and had a moment of panic. What's going on, that I'm being summoned to the executive wing, he wondered. He'd seen the announcement last night, but that should have everyone very happy. He shrugged and changed his clothes, taking a little extra time with his hair and teeth. I'm not primping for Lana, he rationalized. I'm just making a good impression. He pulled on the leather jacked that Arcann had given him for Life Day and took a deep breath. I'll do whatever is necessary, he told himself, and started his walk to see Lana.

Miriah stood as the room started to empty. Magdalane approached her. "Mom says she won't take no for an answer. You're coming with me," she joked but saw Miriah's shoulders sag with relief. It would be good to be surrounded by family, Miriah thought, and when Corso's arm pulled her close, she knew it was a good thing. They were walking inside the detail when Corso saw Theron and waved. The former spy waved back, and Corso wondered what he might be doing, and if he'd be up to trailing a certain ship as it delivered a prisoner back to the Republic. He let that thought go as Miriah stumbled, his attention diverted to her.

"Darlin', you okay?" he asked softly, the detail stopped around them.

"Yeah, just tired." He could see that she'd wrestled with her decision in the past day, and helped her to stand. "I'm glad we're going to Mom's." She smiled and he felt himself relax.

"It will be good to see Sarai." They continued, Corso watching his love to make sure she didn't fall again.

Caly had been helping her Nana cook. "So, Mom's doing well," she said, and Sarai nodded, stirring her sauce. "I think the back procedure was a good call."

"Yes, indeed," Sarai answered. "I'm glad she and Mags have mended their differences, too. Sometimes, we take family for granted, and that can cause little rifts. I mean, I had no idea that Miriah was in so much pain physically, and Magdalane mentally. I assumed, since she'd moved in here, that Mags was beginning to heal." She tapped her spoon on the edge of the pot. "I was wrong."

Caly hugged the small woman she'd been so close to all her life. "I know. Sometimes I think to myself that Mom just goes to her office and then comes home, but it's so much more than that. I saw that on Dantooine. I'm just glad she and Dad let me cook for them. I've enjoyed it so much more than when I worked at the cantina." She dipped a clean spoon into the sauce that bubbled on the stove and blew on it before tasting it. "Very good, Nana. Everything is else is ready. When they get here, we can have it all together in just a few minutes." She looked up as she heard voices, and laughed. "Or, now," she said.

Sarai laughed as well. "Go, see your parents. I'll put it all on the table." With another quick hug, Caly went to her mom, glad to see her. She'd heard about the meeting and had worried about it, but Miriah looked okay. Tired, but relaxed. I can work with that, she thought.

Theron found his steps hesitating as he drew near where he knew Lana was waiting. He'd tried, so hard, to let his feelings for her go, but as much as he struggled, he knew in his heart that he'd always love her. He put a smile on his face and knocked. "Come in," Lana said, and he sat in one of the chairs. She looks so settled, and happy, he thought. "I have some information for you that I need some assistance with." With her words, he snapped into work mode.

"I'm assuming it has something to do with the deal made with the Republic," he replied, and sat, astonished, when Lana told him about the terms. He sat back in the chair, his implants blinking as they brought up all the info on Saresh and her family. "No first degree relatives left alive, but several second and third degree," he said. He observed Lana for a moment before asking, "What is it that you want me to do?"

Lana hesitated, then made her request. "I want to know everything about her once she's left our detention cell."

"You mean, once she's again on Coruscant," he answered, and Lana nodded. "Okay, I can feel out my remaining contacts there, see what we can do."

"Thank you, Theron. I knew you'd understand." Lana stood, and Theron had the thought that she was ready to join her daughter, and then his eye caught the flash of her ring, and his heart sank. She didn't notice his shock, and he turned rapidly to hide his face.

"I'll be in touch," he said quickly, and made his way out of the secured area. Outside, the wind blowing and the light snow fluttering about, he let the tears flow. At least here, I can blame the weather, he told himself, sinking onto the cold metal bench.

Torian had head the news through the very active smuggler area and had shook his head. That woman deserved to be right where she was, he thought, but he was excited that the ships now had safe passage. If there's anything Mandalore taught me, it was that there's always a price, whether in credits or something else. He saw her now as she walked from the shipyard through the hangar, arm in arm with Arcann. She'd say that Saresh was a high value target, and with that he wondered if she was going to be hunted once she was home. He would think so. In fact, he'd like to be on that hunt. That thought made him smile, but it had an evil touch. He waved at the couple and signed out to his replacement with a quick rundown of the area. He made it to Sarai's apartment just in time for dinner, and slid into his seat with a quick kiss on Caly's head.

Miriah had taken only a few bites of her dinner, proclaiming it delicious but being cautious. She definitely didn't want a repeat of the previous night, and Mags saw her hesitate to eat. You need food, Mir. You're still recovering from surgery and your body needs the nutrients to heal.

Miriah turned her eyes to Mags. I just want to be able to sleep and not be miserable.

I'll help. Enjoy your dinner. Miriah nodded slightly to her sister than and took a few more bites. Lively conversation flowed around her, but she was content to let it be, and just nod occasionally. She leaned on Corso, who put his arm around her, and felt his thumb rub her arm. He'd been his usual patient, loving self, and she was so grateful. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth and love that filled the apartment, feeling herself relax into it.

Torian watched his mother in law and hoped she was okay. Once they'd cleared the dishes, and Sarai brought out a flaky, buttery dessert, he turned to her. "Mom, you did the right thing," he told her, and saw her eyes go wide.

"I think so, too. It's been hard to get around the idea of Saresh free to be her evil self, but it was worth it." He called me Mom, she thought, and felt it touch her heart.

"Mom, I'll take over at your place tomorrow," Caly was saying, but Miriah's eyes remained on Torian. He met her gaze and gave her a slight nod, and she grinned.

"Sounds perfect, hon. Speaking of which, Dad and I want to pay you for all your work," she replied to her daughter. "At least a fair wage, what you would make, say, at the cantina?"

"That's plenty," Caly said. "You know you don't have to, right? You do pay for the food itself."

"I want to, Caly. You take a lot of stress from me. I know that when I get home, I don't have to worry about having a wonderful meal. I love the videos, too." Caly didn't say anything, just hugged her mom. Miriah stood then, and Corso with her. "I'd better get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day."

Theron stood when his tears had stopped and stepped into the mess hall. The warmth helped thaw him, as did the hot caf he poured from the huge decanters. He slipped into the line and was working his way to the food when Missy stepped in front of him. "Hey, friend. I'm over there," she said, pointing. "Come join me." He nodded, and felt the tension in his body leave. Of course, Lana had moved on. She wanted the family she had never had. He nodded at the food server and before he could think about it, he was sitting across from Missy, and felt his face smile. He was happy that Lana was happy, he told himself, and then focused on Missy's conversation, blocking thoughts of his ex wife from his mind. At least for the moment.

Aric stormed in to the apartment, Maura in his wake. He had been furious at Miriah's announcement, and that hadn't abated at all since. Maura started to pull the food she'd picked up at the cantina from the bag, but Aric found he couldn't focus on it. Why, he kept asking himself. Why did it have to be that horrible woman! He sat on the sofa and clicked on the holo feed, but his mind still worked over the fact that they'd have to be on alert. Maura watched, worried that he'd carry his vendetta for Saresh's nephew on. She sighed and called him to dinner. There's only so much you can do, she told herself, and saw Aric's expression soften.

"I'm upset, only because this egomaniac can still hurt Miriah," he told her, and she leaned in to kiss him.

"Promise that you won't go off again, hunting her down?"

"I promise," he told her, his hand over his heart. He would protect Miriah, though, he thought.

Arcann stood outside the cell, his stony face and stare making Saresh nervous. She didn't think he was as strong as the Jedi who had vaporized someone before her eyes, but still, the force users made her wonder what they were up to. She squirmed under his gaze and turned her back to him. Arcann never wavered, for hours. When he'd had enough, he turned and left, making Saresh wonder what was going on. No one ever came down here, she thought, so there's something different. She lay on the hard bunk and wondered, but when she closed her eyes, she saw the scarred face and intense glare of the once-Emperor, and shivered.