(A/N: This chapter can be titled, 'A Day in the Life of Corso Riggs')
Corso woke and stretched, and had a moment of panic at the lack of his wife at his side. Listening hard, her could hear her in the kitchen, and sighed, relieved. He glanced at the chrono and swung his legs over the side of the bed, yawning. I guess being outside yesterday helped me sleep well, he decided, and pulled on clothing as he walked to where Miriah was, his feet left bare. She looks rested, he decided, and hugged her to him. "You're up early," he murmured.
"I was hungry," she said, and he saw her slight blush. She's so beautiful, he thought, and lowered his lips to hers. His mind always went blank when he kissed her, all his attention on her soft skin, her signature scent, and showing her how much he loved her. When they broke apart, he felt contented. I wish we could do that all day, he thought, and moved to assist her with their food. Once they were seated, having kept his chatter to a minimum, knowing his Mir needed a little adjustment time from waking to being fully alert, he took her free hand.
"Darlin', I know you have work today, but let's make an early day of it," he said, and watched her face react. She's at least thinking about it, he decided, seeing her lips purse and her face scrunch up in thought. Finally, she nodded.
"We should be able to leave at lunch," she said, and he leaned over to kiss her forehead, smelling her shampoo. He picked up a chunk of fruit that had been grown on the annex and waited for her to open her mouth. She took the bite, and the brush of her soft lips had his body reacting to her touch. Down, boy, he thought, and tried to calm his thoughts. He was picking up another bite for her when the apartment door closed. Must be Aric, he told himself, and moments later his best friend came into the room.
"We're having an early day," he told Aric, who only nodded.
"How did yesterday go?" Aric asked, and they told him of the park, and the birthday party.
"Alec Ranin has requested a meeting," Miriah said, and Corso saw Aric stiffen. "I told him you'd let him know what time works."
"He didn't say what about?" Aric is the most paranoid soul I know, Corso thought, but his instincts are usually right. Now, he could see all of Aric's protectiveness come out, and it looked almost like a shell had formed around his body, a prickly shield that would stand between Mir and any comers. I like that, he thought.
"He didn't," Miriah responded with a small shake of her head.
"Well," Aric said, pondering on the situation. "I have a feeling he'd like to stay, but I'm not sure how I feel about that." Miriah seemed surprised at that, and Corso felt her tense.
"Why? We would never let him broadcast from here." Miriah stood and Corso did as well. "We'll know more soon, but I won't make any decisions today about that." Aric nodded again, he'd figured as much, and Miriah went to dress for her day. Corso looked at his friend.
"What kind of threat does he pose? If he stays here," Corso asked, and watched Aric consider his words.
"He still has a network of contacts. He could send info out. We've monitored his comms since he was here in a limited role, but not sure if we could or should do that on a permanent basis. He could set a lot of misinformation right, but he could also add to it." Sighing, Aric sat in the chair that Miriah had vacated. "It's a lot to think about. He seems to be totally enamored of Odessen, and so far, I've not seen anything that would lead me to believe he means harm, but I won't bet Mir's life on it." Corso nodded, his throat suddenly tight with the knowledge that his love would always be a possible target.
Aric went to check on the guard and the schedule and Corso made his way to his wife. She was standing in front of the small sink in the 'fresher, wearing only her underwear, which made him hesitate. I'm always a sucker for the plain stuff, he thought. Lace and shimmersilk were nice, but there was something more appealing about the fact that Miriah was herself in her everyday things. He took a deep breath and looked at her with love shining from his eyes. She was pulling on her tunic when she sat beside him on the bed, boots in hand. "Almost ready, darlin'?"
"Yep. I want to stop and check on Devin." His eyes lingered on how the waterfall of black waves covered her face as she bent to pull on her boots. When she straightened, her smile made him hug her to his chest.
"Sounds good," he told her, and they made their way out of the door. The detail surrounded them and he held his arm out to Miriah, who took it as they walked across the war room. After checking on Devin, who was deep into reading all the datapads stacked on the desk, they made their way to Miriah's office. Corso didn't have anything pressing at the moment, his inventories were already done and the current ships were no where ready to be outfitted with weapons, so for the past couple of days, he merely tried to make Mir's life easier. Once she was settled at her desk, he kissed her head. "I'm going for caf and cocoa, want anything else?"
"Bring some bottled water, please?" she asked, and he nodded. He caught up with Aric in the war room, who joined him in his walk to the mess hall. They had just exited the secure area when he saw Caly, her market bags in her hands.
"Dad! Uncle Aric!" she called, and they diverted to her, getting hugs. She looks so happy, Corso thought.
"Whatever you're cooking, I'm ready to taste it," Aric told her, getting a laugh. Marriage suits her, he thought, and put an arm around her shoulers.
"It's all excellent," Corso confirmed. Caly beamed at them both, and described what she had planned for dinner. They had both eaten breakfast not long ago, but Corso felt his belly rumble at her menu. "Aric, you and Maura good for dinner?" he asked, and Aric let out a loud laugh.
"Sure are, we'll be there." Aric crouched to pet Smoke, who had accompanied Caly. He's grown so much, Corso thought, and as much as he loves Miriah, he loves Caly almost as much. The akk dog slept at the foot of their bed, and was within inches of Miriah when she was at the apartment. He briefly wondered if they might start taking him into the office, but realized that the dog was happy either way. They waved to Caly and continued their quest for caf, the morning buzz of the mess hall starting to settle. Corso picked up some hot pastries that had just been taken from the ovens, and Miriah's cocoa, and secured them in the carrier beside his caf and the water that she'd requested. He looked around for Aric and saw him talking to Solasta. He casually made his way to them, and Solasta tilted her head as she greeted him.
"How are things in the exec wing?"she asked, and Corso grinned.
"They'd be better if we could see a certain tiny Cathar more often," he said, and saw Solasta smile.
"She's so busy with her grandparents, we hardly see her sometimes." They chatted for a few minutes before going back into the secure area, and when Corso entered the office, he was glad he'd brought Lana some tea. She and Mir were deep into the morning briefing and he didn't interrupt them, but set the carrier on the desk, handing each their beverage before booting up his workstation to read the holo news. Even with the guard outside and his wife in clear view, he was watchful. He let his thoughts drift for a few minutes, so it was with a jolt that he heard Miriah say the reporter's name. His attention focused immediately.
"I'll get someone to notify Aric," Lana said, and Miriah nodded. Corso rolled his chair closer to the big desk.
"Mir, love, be cautious," he murmured, his lips close to her ear. "He may ulterior motives that he doesn't even realize."
Miriah turned and put her hands on his face, looking deep into his eyes. "I know. I'm not sure what he wants, but I will only be listening today." Corso felt pulled to her lips, and they kissed for several minutes. When she had to breathe, Miriah pulled back. "It'll be okay, sugar."
Corso thought about her nickname for him. He'd never heard her use endearments before until they'd finally given in to their desire for each other. Since then, she'd always called him that when she was relaxed. He'd missed it so much when she was gone, he remembered. That was a dark time he didn't want to revisit, and he shook the memories from his thoughts, returning his focus to the present. He was watching the door when Alec Ranin, accompanied by Aric, made his way into the office.
Miriah stood and greeted the reporter, but Corso could see the cool reserve she presented. "Thank you for seeing me," Alec said, and took the offered seat.
"How are you finding Odessen?" Miriah asked, and saw Alec's face light up.
"It's so wonderful. I feel in tune with this planet," he said, and Corso saw Miriah's face change.
"You're force sensitive?" she asked.
"Only a little, but I can tell this planet is balanced, and it settles something inside me, makes me feel grounded, like nowhere else I've ever been." Corso could see that the Rodian was sincere, and saw Aric raise his eyebrows.
"I can appreciate that. It's one of the loveliest places I've ever been as well," Miriah repsonded, and Corso stepped closer to her, gently placing his hand on her shoulder. She doesn't feel tense, he noted, and tried to reassure her with his touch.
"I really want to stay," Alec blurted out, and then lowered his head. "I didn't meant to just throw that out there, but it's true. I cannot imagine not feeling like this, and I know you have no reason to trust me or take my word, but I want to retire here, have a life that's not just broadcast to the masses." Aric slipped out of the office, and Corso knew he was going to get Devin to determine any sordid basis for Alec's words. Corso saw the man's defeated posture, and felt Miriah sigh.
"Alec, I understand your request. If I were to agree, you would have to go through the normal background screening, and then you'd be just another citizen here. No fame, no broadcasts. What would you do?" she asked.
"I want to represent the Alliance, be the voice for Odessen. I have lots of contacts, and I could counter some of the bad press and negative connotations that are out there." Corso felt Miriah's neck tense, and put his hand over the muscles, hoping the warmth would prevent her from the headache that would surely follow.
Miriah stood, and put her fingertips on the desk. Devin had joined them, and had given his parents a slight nod, indicating that the reporter was being truthful. "We don't want that, Alec. We don't really care what anyone in the Republic or the Empire thinks about the Alliance. We know the truth, and that's enough." She took a deep breath. "If you stay here, you will have to figure out another way to support yourself."
Alec nodded, but was quiet. Corso could tell that it wasn't the answer he'd expected, but he seemed to accept it after a minute. "I will, I promise. My request stands, I would like to stay."
Miriah smiled at him. "We'll discuss it and I will give you my answer tomorrow, okay?" Alec stood and shook the offered hand.
"Tomorrow," Alec confirmed, and Aric escorted him out. Devin had gone back to his work, and Miriah sat down heavily. Corso used his thumbs to work out the knots in her neck, and she closed her eyes.
"Sugar, that feels so good," she said softly, and he smiled. This is the best job in the whole Alliance, he thought. When she was relaxed again, he took his chair and tried to read, but his mind was on how the reporter would fit into their world, cut off from his profession and friends. For a moment he almost felt sorry for the man, but not enough to endanger their Alliance to give him a home. He was lost in thought when he saw Aric motion to him from the door. When he was close enough, Aric pulled him out into the hall.
"I don't know what to make of that," Aric said, and Corso found himself nodding.
"Me, either. On the surface, it seems simple, but you know I don't trust anybody outside of our family much anymore." They leaned on the wall, and Corso remembered Aric's plan from the day before. "Did you find Torian yesterday?"
"I did, and he told me how much Ty's family had helped him when he was in need. I feel a lot better about him with Coleen now, at least." They continued to chat, and when Miriah came through the door, they straightened.
"I'm ready for lunch," she said, and Corso was grateful that she was eating normally. "Mess hall okay?" Both men agreed, the guard detail formed up and they set out, Aric messaging Maura as they walked. Once they had food, and had settled at the table, Magdalane joined them as well.
"Mom wants to talk to you, Corso," she said, and there was no mistaking the sadness in her eyes. Corso only nodded, he knew that things were progressing for Sarai and that she had to be making her peace with it, but no one had to like it, he thought. He saw Miriah glance at him, and recognized the fear in her eyes. He put his hand on her thigh, hoping to comfort her. Instead, she threaded her fingers through his, and he felt anchored, like whatever happened, he'd be okay as long as she was there. He gently squeezed her hand, and they finished lunch.
Later that evening, Corso sat at Sarai's bedside. "Son, you have the hardest job in the whole galaxies. You keep Miriah safe and centered." She stopped talking to cough, and Corso helped her to sit up, piling pillows behind her back.
"It's all I've ever wanted to do," he replied, his voice soft. When Sarai was settled again, she took his large hand in hers.
"Miriah will need you more than ever. There are changes headed to the galaxies, changes that she will need to face and overcome." Corso saw the older woman close her eyes. "When I saw how devastated you were when Miriah was taken from us, I knew that the only way either of you would ever be happy would be together. I love you like my own, Corso. Love Miriah for me." Corso felt his eyes burn with unshed tears, and had to take a moment to compose himself before speaking.
"I always will, I promise." He felt her relax into sleep, and heard the rattle in her breathing. Standing, he bent to kiss Sarai's forehead, and wondered how long she could remain. Miriah needs to get here, sooner than later, he thought.