A/N: I want to add an additional warning for this chapter-pregnancy complications. Nothing graphic, but if you have survived a miscarriage or other pregnancy complications, I want to be sure that you know to expect that tension here.
Halley Pryscott held her bag on her lap and scooped everything on the table back inside. "Jone," she called. He always did this. Her brother always did this. He took her things, he didn't ask, he didn't return.
Her mother poked her head into the study room where Halley did her homework. "Why are we yelling?"
"I'm not yelling. I just need my page-marker's back."
"You raised your voice." Laira commented, shifting to her daughter's side and glancing over the girl's homework. "We can get more. There is no good reason to be yelling about page-markers."
"Okay, I'm sorry. I need them right now." Halley scowled. "He didn't even ask."
"Well, I'm sure he needed them too.'
"Then he should have taken them from work." Halley stood, crossing her arms. Her brother worked for her father, or rather for the company, as an Associate Legal Counsel.
"We'll tell him. For now, I'll ask one of the maids to get some from the office supply closet.
Halley sat down again and swallowed. "Fine. But he can't keep doing this. Jone!" She called again, angrier.
"No yelling." Laira shook her head, leafing through her daughter's bag. "What's wrong, sweetie," she whispered.
Halley grabbed her comm, calling her brother.
"Halley," Laira called. But her daughter focused on the call.
It only took a few seconds for him to pick up. "Hal," Jone commented, finishing chewing something.
"Bring my page-markers back, and stop taking them without asking."
"I needed them. You weren't there." He replied. His smugness and the eye roll translated over the line. "I'll come back. Don't be a nerf, Halley. I'm sorry I took it."
"You didn't ask. I don't take your things."
"You do. You took my candy when I was sixteen."
Halley scoffed, balling her fists. "I was eight. Bring me my page markers."
"I'll bring them by." Jone yawned. "Couldn't you get some more?"
"I'm doing my homework, Jone, bring them back!"
He laughed. "I'll bring them, Halley, I promise. Don't worry."
"Baby." Laira called again, intently piecing through her daughter's things. "How was school today?"
"Fine." Halley crossed her arms, sitting back down. Her raised brow didn't seem to stop her mother. "I only got a 92 on my geography test."
Laira nodded. "It's an A. Just study a little more of it you're close to the edge."
"I still have a 97 in the class."
"Then you're doing really well." Laira insisted, opening another pocket and blanching, her hands trembling as she pulled something out of her daughter's bag.
Halley frowned, leaning forward against the table. "Mommy?"
"Halley Aren." Laira's head shot up. "Who. Who are you kriffing? T-Tomas and you." She shook her head, repeatedly and harshly. "You're too young. Halley, this is unacceptable."
She blinked, shaking her head. There was no way her mother could know. "What?"
"This." Laira threw down a cheap school condom. "Why the kriff is this in your bag?"
Halley blinked faster, shaking her head. "They. Gave them to us in health class."
"You never brought one home before. No sex! Halley, this is our family reputation."
"I'm not having sex," Halley exclaimed, proud of herself for how solid she kept her voice. "Stop. Jumping on me!"
"It's hard not to when you're hauling a miniature sex shop around in your bag!" Laira rubbed her face with a hand. "You. You're supposed to be my baby."
"It's one condom! Try going through Jone's room!"
"I really thought you'd care more about our reputation, and Tomas'!"
"I'm not doing anything!" Halley grabbed her books and then her bag, trying to shove everything back inside. "Just give it a rest."
"Tension much," Jone remarked, appearing in the door. He held up a stack of page-markers. "I brought them back. And she is right, mom. We all got the condoms in health. You never yelled at me or Dahn about it."
Laira stood still, like she wasn't sure to say, and then she swallowed, shaking her head. "That's different."
Halley advanced on Jone, taking the page markers from his hand. "Don't take my things again."
"Don't yell at your brother!" Laira exclaimed. "All this over a condom. Honey. Why didn't you just say that?"
"I did." Halley shoved them into her bag. "I'm going to my room, leave me alone."
"Go to your room," Laira agreed. "Right now."
"Leave me alone. Maybe give the condom to Jone, I'm sure he could use another one."
Jone kept a straight face. He had more than enough. "Why yell at me? I returned your stuff." The truth was that his room had plenty of hidden sex material.
Laira frowned. "Go to your room, Halley."
She held her bag in both arms and stormed upstairs. It took Jone a few minutes to join, and he knocked, opening the door after a moment of silence. "Taking a pen this time," she asked, not looking up from her history homework.
"No." Jone commented. "I wanted to talk to you."
"I'm trying to do my homework." She ripped a page-marker off and scribbled a reference on it before setting it on the flimsiplast.
"Well, I wanted to talk to you about the condom. I told mom again that it was for health." Jone closed the door behind himself.
Halley looked up, her shoulders tensing. "I guess I'm not doing my homework?"
"Well. Mom was yelling at you about it, so I thought you would want to know that. Whether or not you are using that condom, I'll always be on your side if what you're doing makes you happy. Even if that means not agreeing with mom and dad."
"I get it, Jone, okay?" She scowled, shaking her head and staring at a word in the book.
He swallowed, pulling a chair next to her. "Halley, I'm sorry I took your page markers. I should have asked."
"I don't care about the page-markers, Jone, I'm trying to work."
"I'm sorry." He frowned, sitting in a chair. "Can I help?"
"Not really." The older she got, the less she wanted to talk to him. It was like he was becoming more like Dahn and their father.
He exhaled. "Halley. I want to be here for you and. You and I know that you and Elora are held to different standards than Dahn and I, I don't think it's fair."
She looked up, her eyes narrow and angry. "Then do something about it, or don't, but I don't understand why I'm the problem child."
"Dahn and I would do so much shit, but I only thought we had it hard until I saw how much and how different Elora was punished. When mom and dad caught me with my girlfriend in my room—Marcie, you remember—I got yelled at. But. That was about it. Yelled at. And when Dahn hit that woman with the car. But then, one time, mom found Elora kissing Limo. Kissing."
"Dahn got someone pregnant. Actually pregnant."
"Well thankfully you can't get anyone pregnant. And they talked at Dahn when he did that. A lot." Jone said. "Like. More than I've ever heard them yell at him before."
Halley hadn't known that, but she hoped the half-second of a frown didn't give that away. "He could kill someone and they wouldn't care."
"They would care, but they would cover for any of us." Jone frowned. "Like when I accidentally stabbed that guy to de—it's a joke, Halley."
"A bad one." Halley scowled, sitting forward in her chair. "I have to do my homework."
He sighed, moving forward to set a high quality condom on her desk. "I'll leave you alone. But if you need anything, let me know." He moved for the door.
Halley grabbed the square and pushed it in her drawer, watching him go. She stood, tying her hair back and sitting on her bed.
After a message exchange with Maia, she felt a bit better, and lay on her back. She couldn't stop thinking about not knowing her parents had yelled at Dahn when he'd told them he was having a baby. What would they say to her? She thought about asking Jone for help, but no matter how many times he told her she could come to him for anything, she was convinced he would go right to their parents, like Dahn would. She couldn't ask any of them for help, and Elora wasn't home. Any of their servants would tell her parents right away. She would have to find a way herself.
Jase Valorum took a deep breath. "I can't agree to this. The people of Eriadu would starve without the ability to trade competitively across the galaxy. You'd be killing our people."
Kuras held back an eye-roll. "The sector would hardly be disconnected solely from Seswenna taking its place as the Outer Rim's primary stop on the Hydian Way."
"Without our shipyards, the sector of the Outer Rim will fall to chaos. We're the Core away from the Core, the entire sector will suffer without intervention." Valorum's heat rose. "I can't believe this drivel."
Dahn swallowed, urging Valorum to cool it. He turned to Kuras. "I fail to understand the motivation behind such a change."
"Traditions should be important to the Empire, and though it was convenient for some when the location was moved from Seswenna to Eriadu, we should use the old map coordinates for the route. Eventually we'll pay for our hubris." Kuras argued.
Maia raised an eyebrow. "Hubris? Is this a holodrama?"
The senators turned to look at her as Valorum smiled in triumph, letting silent certainty make the point.
"I just don't see the need," another senator from the Core commented. "Why are we discussing this?"
A member of the Trade League, built from the scraps of the shattered Trade Federation's commercial fleet, stood, raising his hand to be recognized. "If I may, the reasons this change were proposed was that the overall economic activity of the sector has died down since the switch. It has affected the wealth of a small cluster of systems, while draining much activity from the others. I don't think anyone is proposing that no one go directly to Eriadu, it's one of my favorite stops, myself." He inhaled, his chest throbbing from some moistness. "Can we not talk about this in absolutes? It's not starving Eriadu or not, it's a matter of helping the entire Sector without costing anything but the top percent of Eriaduan profit margins."
Maia peered over to Valorum. "It would appear, now, that we're discussing internal politics better suited for my father."
Kuras shook her head. "I would agree, if it didn't affect trade throughout the galaxy. Goods starting on Kashyyyk or Naboo end up on Eriadu, and they always will. The Repu-Imperial trade charter indicates that it is a galactic issue."
Valorum shook his head, leaning forward sharply and severely. "It has galactic ramifications, but Grand Moff Tarkin administrates the sector as a whole. He can discuss the distribution of resources with the Sector's Moffs, towards a more equitable agreement."
The trader shook his head. "And we will be shut out of the discussion as usual, despite being the primary profit drivers for Imperial trade."
"I say we put it to a vote in the Senate. If the Senate agrees to delegate it to the Grand Moff, we will trust his judgement."
The Kuati senator knew full well how long that would take. The time frame also did not matter, unless Maia agreed to add it to the agenda. The roars it would garner from her father for exercising his mandate for control of Oversector Outer were not worth it. Her father didn't take well to being delegated anything from the legislature.
"It seems that the best course of action—if I may." Dahn glanced at Maia, who nodded. "If I could suggest that the interested parties could write a strongly worded letter to the Grand Moff, compiling your concerns. Surely he wants greater economic productivity, and if you have a convincing argument, he will listen. If not, then we won't hear more of this. Correct?"
"That is definitely less likely to upset my father." Maia looked towards the traders for their reactions, but winced, looking down as a sharp pain came to her uterus. Suddenly, she felt overwhelming cramps like horrid menstrual pains. Still, she managed to keep herself from crying out.
"I don't relish the idea of upsetting the Grand Moff," One of the Banking Clan representatives said. "But surely, intra-galactic trade is within the mandate of this legislative body. A strongly-worded letter written by this committee would sway him."
Agent Kroft moved from the wall to Maia's side, kneeling with a frown. "Ma'am, are you all right," she whispered, so that only those directly next to Maia could hear.
Dahn frowned. "Maia?" He could see where she hid the pain on her face. Dahn sucked a breath in, avoiding Page's eyes and everyone else's.
Maia felt warm liquid between her legs. It surprised her and scared her all at once. It was much too early for her water to have broken, even if she were having a premature baby. And the baby wasn't supposed to be premature.
"Maia." Dahn whispered. "What's happening?"
"I need everyone to clear the room," Kroft called, already pulling her scanner from her bag.
"What's the situation?" Jase Valorum approached as everyone else filtered out.
"You too, Senator," Kroft responded, running the scanner over Maia's abdomen. When it beeped, she checked the read.
Jase frowned. "Dahn, Maia, let me know if I can help." He left immediately, pulling his comm from his pocket.
Kroft kept herself calm. "Keep breathing as steadily as you can." Speikre moved a stretcher inside, Fict closing the door.
"Part of the placenta has separated from the uterine lining. Ma'am, I'm going to lift you." Speikre helped her raise Maia to the stretcher. "I've called the medbay, they've cleared a floor," Fict said.
"But is she going to be all right?" Dahn pressed.
"Yes," Kroft said. "Sir, let's get her to the doctor, we'll explain more."
"I want you to explain more now," Maia said, leaning back on the stretcher. "Am I okay, is the baby okay?" She touched at the liquid between her legs.
"The blood is normal, for this," Kroft commented. "The doctor should be able to fix anything that is going wrong, but this is common, your child should be fine."
"This is. Common," Maia challenged, her voice shaky now.
"Let's get you through," Kroft said, gesturing to her other teammates. They wheeled Maia out, and encountered no one along the way. The path had been entirely cleared. When they reached the designated room on the medbay's cleared floor, a doctor awaited. Hakym Mumted. One of Coruscant's best, he was paid to be in staff for the Imperial Senate for emergencies like this one.
Dahn had called his parents a few moments before, trying to transfer to accept Wilhuff Tarkin's just a moment too late. Maia turned her head to look at Dahn as they transferred her to a hospital bed.
"Was that my father?"
"Minister, I need your focus," the doctor said, pulling the readings from the sensor in front of him, along with Maia's medical files. "Describe your pain on a scale of one to ten."
"Six? Maybe seven. Dahn, call my father back."
Dahn swallowed, reaching back for his comm. He dreaded calling Wilhuff, having missed the call.
"Dahn," Maia snapped. "Call him."
"Ma'am, please focus," the doctor repeated, cleansing his hands. "You have a placental abruption. That means your placenta has separated from your uterus, that's where the blood is coming from. You've dilated a bit, are you feeling contractions? Period pains?"
"Yes," Maia responded. "It's common, apparently."
Kroft looked away, swallowing hard.
"It's not uncommon," the doctor allowed. "But it's a complication, and a moderate one."
Dahn winced and squeezed Maia's hand, taking a few steps to the left. Wilhuff answered on the second ring.
"Dahn, what the kriff is going on with my daughter?"
"She's here, she's awake. We brought her to the medbay. The doctor says she's had a placental abruption." He thanked his political training and his birthright for his voice keeping so steady. He was in control. She would be his wife, and very soon.
"Why didn't you answer the first time I called you?" He demanded.
"I'm sorry. I was trying to listen to the doctors."
"I'm coming immediately. You call me as soon as something like this happens. First." He wasn't yelling, which was almost scarier than if he had been.
"I know. I'm sorry." Dahn looked back to the bed. It seemed the doctor was preparing the table for an operation. He kicked himself for missing what more they had discussed without him.
"You're sorry. Why was I told you were busy when I called instead of it going directly to holomail?" Wilhuff frowned. "Surely you didn't set it to busy when my daughter was suffering a placental abruption."
"Am I contacted a lot during the day, of course I am. Sir, please let me go stand by your daughter, I think they're going to operate soon, and. I don't know anything, except for what happened."
There was a long silence on the other end. "Fine. Keep me informed," Wilhuff sounded out, worried and angry as he ended the call. Dahn hurried towards the table where make lay. "What's going on?"
"Maia is going to be okay, so is your baby," the doctor led. "I'm going to attach a dose of bacta around the separation to ease the swelling, stop the bleeding, and reattach the membrane."
Dahn nodded. "The bleeding is normal?"
"Normal for the condition," the doctor allowed. "I'm going to replace some plasma to be safe."
"Okay." Dahn looked down at his fiancé, squeezing her hand.
"What did my father say," Maia asked.
"He is glad that you're getting the treatment you need. He's also worried that something happened. He's going to come here."
Maia frowned, considering. "And my mother is coming as well?" They weren't both on Eriadu at the moment. "Was he mad at you?"
"It seems like more of his general mad than something specific."
Maia sighed, shaking her head. "Don't piss him off again." He saw a sharp wince she tried to hide as another contraction raced through her. "D-doctor, are we. Delivering?"
"I wouldn't like to if I don't have to. I don't have to right now. Your arm, please. Just a pinch. Please try to relax." He spoke to her through the nurse inserting the needle, a distraction.
"I'm not trying to piss him off." Dahn sighed, looking anxiously to the needle. "What did do you just inject?"
"It's an IV." The doctor programmed some numbers into the blood-bag station. "Minister, if you're in pain and holding it in, the tension is going exactly where we don't want it, and the pain will worsen."
"Honey, try to relax." Dahn squeezed Maia's hand. "I love you, listen to the doctor."
"Oh, like you've ever felt pain like this," she hissed at Dahn.
"Then let it out," the doctor directed.
"Will you operate in here," Speikre asked.
"Yes," the doctor responded. "I don't plan on putting her under. The anesthesiologist is on her way, she may disagree."
"What is the operation?" Dahn asked, squeezing his fiance's hand even tighter.
"Just as I told you, Senator, I'm trying to reattach the membrane."
"But." Dahn swallowed, shaking his head. "Is there going to be cutting?"
"There shouldn't be," the doctor said. Another doctor moved inside, and he nodded to her. "How are we doing in here, Prime Minister? It's much quieter than I expected."
"The patient is quiet, but refuses to let the tension go." Dr. Mumted commented. "I'm not sure if you saw."
"Placental abruption." Dr. Rini cleaned her own hands and swooped into a chair by Maia's side. "What you're experiencing is partially caused by this hypertension you're holding. Who has to leave the room for you to let it go?" Dahn rubbed his fiancé's hand, frowning with strain. It had to be one of the guards.
Maia groaned, touching her forehead. She felt clammy and swollen. Dr. Rini stood again, moving to Speikre and Kroft. "Is there anyway one or both of you could watch from the observation room next door?"
They exchanged looks. "Absolutely," Speikre said after a moment. "We should both go. Unless you need my medic's support."
The doctor shook her head, calling a second nurse through the data system. "Thank you, Captain."
The guards moved into the side room. "Does that help?" Dahn asked, worried. Maia nodded.
"Then we need you to cry when you need to cry, yes?" Maia nodded again, whimpering now and allowing her tears to fall as Dahn's comm rang, with a call from his parents.
Dahn's shoulders tightened. "I love you, Maia. It's my parents. I'll give them an update."
"Senator, if you could clear the room as well, we'll have ample space to move quickly," Dr. Mumted said.
Dahn swallowed. "She's my fiancé." He took a few steps away, answering the call. "Mom, dad?"
"We're on the ship," Dahniel said. "How is Maia?"
"She's about to go into surgery. But the doctors say she'll be all right."
"And the baby, she's all right too," his father asked.
"Yes, yes, as far as they know." Dahn whispered. "It's scary, though."
"Just give the doctors space, so that they can focus instead of focusing on you being difficult," Laira instructed.
Mumted raised both brows at Rini, smirking sardonically where Dahn couldn't see.
"I'm not difficult." Dahn frowned. "I'll stay out of the way, though." He glanced back, worried, at Maia.
"No 'though' should be attached there," Laira said, as he could see a growing frown on Maia's face before she cried out again from another contraction. Mumted rolled to the foot of her bed, pulling Maia's legs to the stirrups and leading her every step of the way.
"I love you, something is happening. I. I don't want to miss this. You'll be here soon?"
"Yes. But wait, what is happening," Laira asked. "Is Maia all right?"
Dahn winced, closing his eyes. "Please. She is fine. Mom, I have to go."
The second nurse moved inside. "Sir, perhaps you could continue this call in the observation room?"
"I'm trying to end the call." Dahn said. "Mom, dad I have to go. I love you both."
"Do what the doctor's say, Dahn," his father said. "We'll call you soon. Tell Maia's parents as well."
"All right, bye." Dahn ended the call, exhaling. "What's going on?"
No one answered him. The nurse had made her way to the doctors, and then sanitized tools for Doctor Mumted as a surgical droid stationed itself overhead.
Dahn exhaled, moving a bit closer, standing behind Maia's head. "Are you okay, it hurts?"
She nodded, scrunching her eyes and whimpering.
"You're doing well, Prime Minister, just keep breathing," Doctor Rini instructed.
Dahn squeezed her hand. "Breathe, just do what the doctors say."
Maia nodded, her breath ragged. She pushed herself to take a slower, more steady breath, and then repeated the process. "You should listen to them," she whispered to her fiancé.
"I want to be here with you. You can do this, just breathe, honey."
Her mother called his phone then, and Mumted looked up. "Please go in the other room and make your calls."
Dahn winced. "I'll be right back," he promised Maia. "I'll talk to you soon." He answered the call, moving to the observation room.
He repeated almost the same conversation with Thalassa, and then it was like their parents didn't understand they couldn't speak—all four called again. By the time Dahn was ready to go inside, the doctors had finished, cleaned, and moved to the observation room to join Dahn and the guards. "All sound," Dr. Rini said. "I didn't have to put her under, which is a good thing. And the baby's heart rate is back to the normal range."
"Thank the Force." Dahn whispered. "Can I go back in to see her?"
"Yes, but she should be sleeping. Let her sleep if she needs it, please don't wake her."
Dahn winced. He needed to talk to her about this. "When should she wake up?"
"Let her sleep as long as she needs, please. We'll answer questions." Dr. Mumted raised an eyebrow. Entitled brat.
"Tell me the baby is going to be fine." Dahn insisted. "What's the likelihood that this happens again?"
"The baby is fine," Dr. Rini repeated. "Extremely low likelihood. But she needs bedrest for a week or more, and then limited physical exertion."
"She won't like that," Speikre remarked.
"Well, we have to make sure she's safe." Dahn insisted. "Are you going to make a report to the Emperor?"
"We've been sending constant updates to the Emperor's office."
Dahn swallowed. He was surprised he hadn't been called.
"Thank you, doctors." He nodded, looking around. Maia was asleep when he moved inside, and she seemed in much less pain, though she didn't smile in her sleep. From what he had seen in medical holodramas, her heart rate seemed normal. Her face was still swollen, ruddy. But her face was no longer tight with tension.
He winced, rubbing her arm carefully so as not to wake her.
Natasi Daala swallowed, watching Wilhuff repocket his comlink. "She's okay?"
Tarkin nodded, glancing at her, and brushed off his sleeve, though nothing was on it. "She's going to be all right, but I need to go." He shook his head, glancing back at her. They'd only been working, when he'd gotten the message from Dahn, but he'd quickly found a way to have his call pushed through the emergency lock on the other man's comm, only to have it go silent. He was too anxious to kiss or embrace her.
"Okay." Natasi nodded, sliding down from the chair. "I'll get your coat. Do you want me to finish this statement and get it to Admiral Motti, or should I send you a draft first?"
"Have him handle it." It had seemed so important ten minutes ago. His nephew was more than capable. "Natasi, you're XO to Commander Chaim while I'm away."
She held up his coat, and he slipped his arms through. "Are you sure I'm qualified for that?"
He turned back to her. "You're an appropriate rank to assist Commander Chaim." Tarkin shrugged his shirt and jacket more firmly around his shoulders. "I'll inform him before I leave. Have my shuttle summoned, please."
"Should I call your wife to come as well," Natasi asked, tensing as she moved to sit in front of the data screen. She knew it needed to be asked. She only hoped it didn't upset him.
He froze. "I'll call her." The man's age showed more clearly now. "I'll communicate about meeting up to see her. Maia's our daughter."
She didn't want to make it any harder on him, and so she didn't respond. She logged onto his server and sent his driver a message. The screen indicated an incoming response with a ping. "Two minutes."
"Perfect." They marched together to the bridge. Tarkin strode into the command section, addressing one commander in particular. "Commander Chaim, you're to assume full duties as Commanding Officer of this ship, effective immediately. I want to use this opportunity to provide valuable experience to Commander Daala. She will be acting as your Executive Officer, and you should use the training protocols we discussed for Commanders Shon and Lanape."
Daala saluted. Chaim saluted her back, and after his hand dropped, she brought her own back down.
Tarkin saluted the others who stood, holding their salutes. "I'm sure you'll all act admirably, and that you will be on your usual course when I return." He smiled coldly. They knew there would be ramifications if they didn't perform as expected. "Commander is on deck," He said, saluting Chaim before turning on his heel, marching for the hanger bay.
Dahniel and Laira sat on either side of Maia's bed, chatting. Even though she had told them no several times, they kept asking if she needed anything. Dahn had gone to take a short nap and Laira was spoon feeding Maia a warm broth.
Laira smiled at her future daughter-in-law as she swallowed another spoonful. "You're sure everything is all right, dear?"
Maia nodded, clapping a hand over her abdomen. "Kira likes to kick."
"My goodness, are you all right?" Dahniel asked.
"Your children kicked all of the time." Laira smacked his arm.
"All is well." Maia rubbed her chapped lips together. "The doctors said her movements went down before and during the procedure."
"And so her moving again is very good " Laira smiled. "Thank the Force for that. Take another bite."
Maia leaned forward to accept the offering. "Thank you for taking care of me."
"Of course, Maia. We love you." Dahniel exclaimed, smiling small. "We do look forward to meeting our granddaughter."
She knew the baby was about a year before everyone had expected or wanted. Still, it hadn't turned out so terribly. Not as terribly as she had feared. "I'm okay. I don't think the doctors appreciated the not crying thing in the beginning."
"You don't have to be tough all the time." Laira said. "Hypertension hurts you."
"The doctors said." Maia sighed. "The Emperor told me he wants me home for two weeks. What am I supposed to do for two weeks?"
"Rest. Relax." Dahniel offered.
"Sink into a good book." Laira suggested
"I'd like to work on my research," Maia admitted. "But that's stressful."
"Maybe just catching up on the field?" Dahniel offered.
"That's a good idea. I've missed out on a lot of books and articles, I'm ashamed to say it."
"No reason to be ashamed." Laira commented, moving another bite to Maia's mouth as the door opened and the Tarkins hurried inside. Thalassa gasped at her daughter in the bed. "Maia," she took a seat next to Laira. "May I take that?" Though she asked as a question, both mothers knew it wasn't a request.
"Mum," Maia whispered. She didn't think it was reasonable for her to tell her parents off right now.
Laira passed Thalassa the bowl, and Thalassa leaned forward to feed Maia another spoonful. "Come on, baby."
Maia took the bite, smiling as Wilhuff came to the other side of the bed. "Hi, dad."
"Hello, sweetheart." Wilhuff said, looking serious. "This is all treated, right?"
Maia nodded. "We have a copy of the files here."
"They sent them to us," Thalassa assured her, and moved another spoonful of rice to her mouth.
"But how do you feel?" Wilhuff pressed. "I can bring in one of our doctors if you want a second opinion."
"If a military doctor would make you feel more comfortable, I don't mind, dad."
"It would." He set a hand on the headboard. "I'll have one come." Wilhuff turned to Dahniel and Laira. "Thank you for caring for her before we could arrive."
Dahniel and Laira nodded. Dahniel smiled small. "We came as soon as we heard "
"Speaking of which, where is your son?"
Maia frowned, pulling her head back from her mother's hand. "Dad."
"He is asleep. He stayed up with your daughter all night." Laira said. "Could I speak with him?" Wilhuff pressed.
"Please don't yell." Maia swallowed, folding her hands over her chest.
Wilhuff turned back to her, leaning over to tuck her into the bed. "Go back to sleep. Relax. We love you, we're sorry we couldn't be here."
Dahniel frowned. "Surely, you aren't angry at our son."
Maia frowned. "Dad," she whispered again. She couldn't find anything more to say. If she spoke to the problem, she might be reprimanded for discussing family issues in public. But she couldn't say nothing at all.
Wilhuff and Thalassa each hugged her and gave her a kiss. Before they could stand, Dahn moved inside, clearly woken quite recently.
"Dahn." Wilhuff said, hiding his anger. "A word. In the sitting room."
The younger man moved to the bed beside him, leaning down to kiss his fiancé. "I love you. Get some rest, we'll be very close."
Maia nodded, touching his hair and then letting him go.
"I love you," Dahn repeated. They moved out into the living room together and Dahn watched the Tarkins.
Wilhuff didn't take a seat. "You lied to me when I asked why Thalassa and I weren't notified first of our daughter's pain."
"I called you." Dahn said. "I'm sorry, but I thought I was doing the right thing to help my fiancé."
"We are her parents," Thalassa exclaimed. "You should have called us first."
"I called who I knew would get here fastest."
"Dahn, you cannot be serious." Thalassa snapped. "I knew last of anyone!"
"Stop yelling at my son," Laira interrupted, moving in front of Dahn.
"I'm her mother. I deserved to know first." Thalassa insisted.
"He's sorry," Dahniel said, keeping his voice calm. Wise, if he were confronted for yelling at another man's wife.
" I wanted to make sure that someone could be here sooner to take care of her." He didn't think he should have to feel sorry for that.
"And if you had told us sooner, we could have been on our way, sooner." Wilhuff narrowed his eyes. "Why did I hear first from Jase, from my senator, rather than from you?"
"I was paying attention to getting her to the medbay." Dahn insisted.
"You were talking to your parents," Wilhuff roared.
"When you called me, yes, but I wasn't chatting. I was trying to get them to come for your daughter to help take care of her."
"That's enough, stop yelling at my son. He's sorry he didn't call you first. Dahn, apologize," Laira said, grabbing his hand.
Dahn looked at his mother and sighed. "I'm sorry I didn't call you both first. I panicked."
Lieutenant Kroft turned the corner, keeping against the wall. "Mr. Pryscott, Halley is outside."
"Can we be finished yelling?" Dahniel asked. "If the answer is yes, our youngest may come in."
Wilhuff's face contorted in anger, but Thalassa touched his arm. "We won't yell in front of your daughter."
Wilhuff frowned, but nodded after a glance at his wife.
"Send her in. Thank you," Dahniel said.
Kroft moved away, and when the door opened next, a young girl with long, wheat-blonde hair and Dahniel's blue, almond eyes moved inside. She seemed to sense immediately that she'd walked into tension, and she walked up to her mother, offering her a hug before doing the same to her father and oldest brother. "Is Maia okay?"
"She is napping now." Laira said. "How are you, my love?"
"Fine," she lied. Halley smiled, looking back to her father. "I might have bought a commuter ticket with a company using one of our ships. That ends up being revenue neutral, right?"
"Sure, even if the accounting is weird." Dahniel shook his head. "Here I thought you would have wanted a private ship."
Halley shrugged. "You told me to cut the second half of school and get myself here. Also, I thought we'd be taking the same ship home. I planned ahead."
Laira squeezed her daughter. "That's smart, my love."
"I'm the smart one." She squinted at Dahn, hoping to make him laugh.
He smirked, but didn't quite laugh. "I'll go cry in my Senate office, little sis."
Halley shrugged. "If I wanted to run for Senate, I could probably win because people actually liked me."
"Honey, people like your brother," her father said. "Don't be mean."
"Did you tell Tomas you were leaving," Laira asked, giving her daughter another squeeze.
Halley nodded, keeping herself from pulling away. "Yes. Of course."
Her mother frowned. She was usually far wordier.
Halley smiled, and took Laira's hand. "Can I go to look at the college? Tracey said she could take me to one of her classes."
"Keep your security detail close, and be back by eight." Dahniel said. "We may come meet you, so text us when you arrive at school. When you leave, too."
"All right." Halley held back a sigh and looked at her brother. "Do you need me to stay?"
Dahn smiled small and shook his head. "No, I love you. Have fun today."
"I love you most. Even though you're annoying." She gave her parents another hug. "Tell Maia I love her."
Dahn nodded. "I will. Don't worry. She is going to be okay." He frowned, concerned, at his sister. Something was off with her. She was always so guarded.
"I'm not worried about Maia—she has a thick skin." Halley beamed, pulling Dahn into a hug. "Stay calm."
"Thanks. Don't be a jerk on your campus tours or they might remember."
"It didn't seem to get in your way."
He snorted. "Like I said, people like me."
Halley smiled, turning to Thalassa and Wilhuff. "I'm glad Maia and the baby are all right."
"I'm glad too." Wilhuff smiled. She really was a well cultured girl. "Thank you."
She left after another hug from each of her parents, and sent Tracey a message. They would meet on campus, and Halley would buy a test there, though she didn't include that part in the message. She had already told Tracey she had to visit the Health Center to check they had all of her medical records. It was a ridiculous excuse, but Tracey had taken it in stride. And if Halley had any difficulty testing herself, she would ask a doctor there. Her parents rarely read through her daily financial purchases. She relied on them not checking today's. As her security drove her to campus, a call came from her boyfriend. She briefly considered not answering, but changed her mind right before it went to voicemail.
"Halley?" Tomas sounded worried. "You got to Coruscant all right?"
"I did, yes." She sounded distant, even to her. "How are you?"
"I'm worried about you. I tried to say hi at school, but then you. Well, it doesn't matter. I don't think you saw me."
She frowned. "I'm sorry. Can I—let me call you back when I'm on campus?"
"Okay, honey." Tomas paused. "I love you. I can't wait to talk to you."
"All right, I'll call soon." She hoped he wouldn't notice that she hadn't sent her own love, and ended the call. Thankfully, no message brought it up, and she sat quietly until they reached campus, she met up with Tracey, and the guards followed from a distance. She bought a test, thankful that Tracey ordered a sandwich on the other side of the store as she did so, and then she went into the fresher. Inconclusive.
"Is someone in here?" A student asked, knocking after a few minutes
"Just a minute," Halley called, remarkably calm given the circumstances. Practice practice. She wrapped the test in paper and stuck it under in the trash, piling more crumpled paper over top, washing her hands and opening the door.
There were two girls waiting and one didn't bother to say anything as she rushed into the stall.
Halley smiled, moving past the second, and turned her head down to text Tracey that she was ready to go. She bit into the chocolate bar she'd thought to purchase.
"Hey, everything okay?" Tracey asked, chipper.
"Yeah. But I am going to have to go to the Health Center. Is there time before your class? I could meet you there."
Tracey blinked. "Yeah, why don't I go, and then you can come, I'll let the professor know and it'll be great."
"What time does the class start," Halley asked.
"Like one. So we could have time. Aren't you hungry?"
"I don't want to hold you up, I'll eat on the way or something." She smiled. "Don't worry about me."
"Well, your parents ask me to care." Tracey smiled. "And you're my friend."
It was difficult for Halley to consider her real friends as friends, much less Tracey.
"Let's eat and then you can go?"
"All right." Halley ran a hand through her hair. "Should I go grab one of those sandwiches?"
"They're pretty good, but if you have the credits, try the lobster macaroni and cheese."
Halley knew Tracey only asked because she was afraid of assuming. She tried to distance herself from her father, who might have sneered. "That sounds good. Do you want to come with me?"
"Sure thing!" Tracey smiled. "I might grab a garlic roll if you're going."
In line, Halley noticed a man looking her over. He seemed to focus on her face, which was a welcome departure from the slime that treated her like a piece of meat. Still, she was a bit uneasy at the consideration that he watched her because he realized who her parents were, not because he was actually interested. And still, she blushed.
He let a few people pass ahead so the three of them ended up near each other in line. "Tracey, how are you? Who is your friend?"
"Halley Pryscott," Tracey said, putting an arm around Halley's back to deftly shift her to the man. "Halley, this is Kev Dorat. His father's a captain in the Navy."
Kev nodded with a smile. "Hello there, Halley, so good to meet you."
"Hi." Halley smiled like a girl was expected to, and offered a firmer handshake than a girl was expected to.
A few other students glanced over as she spoke. "Nice grip." Kev smirked. "Are you new here?"
"Next year." She turned her head up. "What year are you?"
"Sophomore like Tracey." He smiled. That wasn't too much of an age difference. "Busy later?"
She could almost feel Tracey grinning behind her. "I kind of am, actually, I have to meet up with my parents."
"Ah." He laughed. "Just my luck. Maybe next year?"
"Maybe." She smiled, turning as Tracey touched her arm. "Or tomorrow. You'll be on planet a few days, won't you, Halley?"
Halley nodded. "Maybe then. It's hard to know what my parents have planned."
"I'm free this weekend." Kev pointed out.
She needed to figure out what she would do with Tomas soon anyway. But figuring out if she was pregnant would have to come first. "What if you trade contacts," Tracey offered.
"That's a good idea. You have good ideas, Tracey." Kev smiled. "May I have your contact?"
"Sure." Halley pulled out her comm, tapping it to his to transfer. Tomas wouldn't assume she owed something like that, he never had. Still, she seemed to pick up on their minute differences, like the respectful distance Kev kept from her, two steps away in case she felt uncomfortable. It was strange, from an Imperial captain's son.
"Thanks so much. I look forward to it."
Halley nodded, turning back. She saw Tracey beaming and assumed she was doing the same, but they didn't talk about it until they ordered their food and claimed a table.
After lunch, Halley made her way to the Health Center, messaging as much to Tomas. When she arrived, she identified herself as an incoming student in need of a physical, and didn't ask for a pregnancy test until she and the doctor were alone in the room.
The doctor seemed surprised, but after a few questions agreed to perform the scan. A few seconds later he informed her that she did have some gas, and slight hormonal imbalance, but that she was definitely not pregnant. After another set of quick questions, the doctor agreed not to attach the test to her medical file, instead listing it as a physical.
She called Tomas, who was just as relieved as she was. It would hopefully mean she could relax more for the rest of the trip.
Halley poked her head into Maia and Dahn's room as Maia moved a hand along her abdomen, trying to calm down Kira. She kicked, albeit much slower than earlier today, and with much less urgency. A reminder to her mother that she was here, and here was cramped.
"Hi," Maia said, looking up to Halley. The girl seemed troubled, and Maia frowned. "What's wrong?"
Halley bit her lip. Hearing her accent, so thick while they were alone, was disorienting. "I. Want to talk to you about something." She swallowed, closing the door.
Maia breathed out through her mouth, and tapped the bed beside her. "Are you hurt?"
Halley shook her head. "So. I'm not pregnant."
Maia narrowed her eyes. "I didn't know that was a concern."
"It turns out it wasn't, but how did you react when you found out?"
Maia frowned. "You thought you were pregnant? Who bought you a test?"
"Don't tell my parents."
"I won't." Maia would be shocked if they didn't learn on their own. "When did this happen?"
"Well, I got the test today." Halley whispered. "But I missed my period."
Maia frowned, sighing. She shook her head, remembering the ordeal. "Mine came up on a biweekly physical. You're. Sure that your test was conclusive?"
"Yes. The test was inconclusive, so I had to go to the doctor. She did a full scan. But I really, really don't want my parents to know."
"You're seventeen, Halley." Maia was almost certain Halley's parents would find out.
"I know. I know. Does this make me a whore?"
Maia squinted. "Of course not. Halley, you know better than that. Don't listen to words like that from people, close to you or not. And your parents aren't going to call you a whore. Have they ever said that to you?"
"Of course not, but they lecture me about always being good keeping my reputation safe and keeping their reputation safe." Dahn knocked, opening the door and poking his head in.
Halley tensed. "Go away."
Maia took Halley's hand. "Girl talk, sweetheart."
"She's my little sister," he protested with a laugh
"Give me a kiss and then give us a few minutes?"
Dahn smirked, moving forward to kiss his fiance. "I love you. And I guess Halley's okay too."
Halley looked down. "Can we have space, please?"
Dahn frowned. "Okay. You know you can talk to me here, right?"
"I know, would you just leave?"
"Okay." Maia squeezed Halley's hand. "Dahn, give us a few minutes?"
Dahn gave his sister a concerned look. "All right. I love you both." He quickly left.
"He is so annoying. How do you stand him?" Halley asked.
"I love him," Maia whispered. She sighed. "Tell me about you."
Halley rubbed her lips together. "Are all college boys assholes?"
Maia smiled. "A lot of them are. When I was in school. Ugh. Sorting out the ones who just want to kriff me for prestige."
"Was that most?" Halley sighed. So many of them had approached her like meat on campus, and at Tracey's class. "Do I have to keep who I am secret?"
Maia's smile turned sad. "I think that might prove difficult. But you should do what you think you need to do." She cocked her head to the side. "Why don't you want to stay with Tomas?"
"I don't know." Halley rubbed her forehead. "I. It just doesn't seem right to be with him when we are planets away."
"Do you love him," Maia asked. "I'd believe it could be done. If he's staying on Corellia, you're so close. Your brother and I did it from much further away than Corellia and Coruscant," Maia reminded her. "Corellia and Eriadu, when we were both Senators and the Body was out of session."
"Tomas might be going to an art school really far away. For his poetry." Halley closed her eyes. "I like him a lot, but I don't want to be held back."
Maia nodded. "You have to do what's best for you. If you can't see yourself with him and you're not having enough fun to justify it, move on. Have you brought it up to him?"
"No, not directly."
"Why not?"
"I don't want to hurt him."
Maia bit her lip. "You're a really good girl, Halley. I get that. I've had my share of breakups, including some really hard ones. My parents have. Threatened boyfriend's parents."
"I don't want to let anyone down." She glanced at the door. "My parents don't think I'm that good."
"Of course they do. You're their baby." Maia winced. "I'm still the baby. My parent's, the Emperor's. This year, the media distributed just as many holograms of me playing between my father's feet and Palpatine's at five as they did of me at official events. I don't enjoy it as much as when I could use it to get my brother in trouble for not doing what I told him to do."
Halley smiled. "He sounded like a really great guy. I know Elora." She actually laughed. "Well, Elora had a picture of him. When he died, she decided she didn't want to go Navy."
Maia blinked, turning her head sideways. "What?"
"Elora was considering going Navy when she was like. Twelve."
"But she had a crush on my brother?"
Halley shrugged. "I don't know. Probably not, she was only five or six. And you remember how much he was in holovids those days."
Maia laughed, nodding. "Still not as much as five-year-old me."
Halley shook her head. "I'm surprised there isn't a holovids show about it."
"About me? I guess I'm in the news enough."
"All the time. Did you know you heroically defended trade in the Mid-Rim last week?" Halley rolled her eyes. "No offense."
Maia turned her head to the side. "I don't think I saw that edit."
"Yeah, guess how many minutes were of you talking and how many were pictures of you as a child?"
"I'm sure I was cute in them, at the very least. Red pigtails?"
"Always. Commentary about how you were passionate about wealth and justice since that age." She shook her head. "It was cute."
Maia smiled. "And then I turned seven, and pigtails were too young or something."
"We could always wear pigtails together sometime." Halley offered. "Our parents would love that."
Maia laughed. "I'm not so sure my parents would. They might if the holos stayed between our families."
"Let's do it." Halley exclaimed. "We could do all of the youngling hairstyles!" She turned her head to the side. "Do you ever do your own hair, without the stylists?"
"You seem happy now." Maia smiled, letting go of Halley's hand. She ignored the question for now.
"It's a distraction. I don't always love growing up."
Maia breathed out her nose, touching her abdomen, where the baby grew. "I understand." She paused. "Back to the pregnancy scare. Are you on birth control? Do you need some?"
"I'm going to start, my parents know that because my periods hurt, but." Halley exhaled. "I was so scared."
"It's okay," Maia whispered. "Do you want a hug?"
"Yes," Halley nodded. "Can I feel for Kira's kicks?" She asked, sliding over to lean against Maia."
Maia nodded. "She's kicking a lot." She wrapped an arm around Halley, and moved the teen's hand over her abdomen.
When a kick hit Halley almost perfectly on the hand, she jumped, smiling. "She's so excited." Halley's eyes went wide.
"I think she thinks I was trying to hurt her, or something." Maia rolled her eyes.
"Can she really think that either way?" Halley asked, awestruck. "She's like a person already. She's moving so much."
"She's spent more than half the time she'll have in there." Maia looked down at her stomach. How strange.
"Do you think she'll be an active baby?" Halley laughed. "I guess you can't tell."
"This is actually the first time she's been kicking so much. The doctor says she's been sleeping a lot."
"Isn't that most of what babies do anyway?"
Maia shrugged, biting her lip. "In strange increments. But my doctors are worried now her lack of activity might have been related to what happened today."
Halley nodded. "So much can go wrong with babies." She looked down at Maia's growing stomach. "I hope nothing else goes wrong with Kira."
"I hope that too," Maia remarked.
Halley smiled, looking up at Maia. "Thanks for taking the time." She was about to say something else when her comm rang.
"I love you." Maia nodded to the phone. "Is that Tomas?"
"No, my parents." Halley frowned, sending a quick message reply to indicate that she would be calling back soon. "I love you too."
Her father messaged her back immediately, that she was to call now.
She rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry, my dad is having a fit over something."
Maia frowned, focused on Halley's crinkled brows and tense shoulders. "Are you all right," Maia asked, just as Halley's eyes widened.
"I'm fine, I just don't see any way this goes well." They had found out. She didn't know how, but they had.
"It's okay, take a deep breath." Maia grabbed Halley's hand again, squeezing it. "You can go in my study next door."
"Thanks," She nodded, glancing back at her com. Halley squeezed Maia's hand and then moved, calling as she did so and setting the comm in the middle of Maia's study table.
Her father answered after one ring. She could tell immediately from his scowl and angry eyes that she was in trouble. "What were you doing when I called?"
"Talking to Maia. I was laying down with her. I'm sorry I didn't answer."
"The whole reason we have you a comm is so you can answer when we call you." He exhaled sharply. "Why would you need a pregnancy test?"
Halley dropped her shoulders, looking down. "Maybe it wasn't for me."
"Maybe. But you went to the Medical Center right after. Why? Why would. What would compel you to do that?!"
Halley's mouth stayed open, and she ran a finger over her eyes. "P-please don't yell at me."
"Come back to the apartment. Now."
"Don't yell at me," Halley repeated, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand now.
"I'm not yelling." Dahniel insisted, his voice still raised. "Just get back here."
"All right, I'll come. Let me say bye to them first."
"Fine." He commented. "Tell Dahn we love him." He ended the call.
Always Dahn. Halley sat still for a minute and then pushed herself up, grabbing her comm. She opened Maia's door again, to see Thalassa at her daughter's bedside.
Thalassa looked up, frowning. "It's okay, Halley."
"No, it isn't, you'd. Hate me."
Maia exhaled, letting go of her mother's hand. "Come here, give me a hug."
Halley sobbed as she moved against Maia. "I. I have to go."
"Breathe," Thalassa told her. She planned on learning everything her daughter knew about this once Halley had left. "Be strong."
Halley's eyes went wide and she nodded, trying to bring herself under control.
Maia let her go. "It's okay. We'll be here." Halley peeled back from her, stalking to her parents without a word to Dahn.
When she came back inside the Pryscott apartment, her parents stood from the seats on the living room couch. "Parlor, now." Dahniel snapped, as Laira looked distraught.
Halley pulled her arms to her chin, following. "Daddy, I'm sorry."
Dahniel had promised himself he would not be swayed by tears. But she was his baby. He hesitated, but continue to walk. "Close the door." He said, sounding tired.
Halley closed the door behind them and sat on the couch, her head down.
"Why didn't you tell us you were pregnant?" Laira asked her, her throat raw. "How could you be?" Dahniel demanded.
"I'm not." Halley picked up her head. "M-mommy, I'm not."
They exchanged a look. "Who else knows you thought you were?" Dahniel demanded, not as loud, but still angry even as his color subsided.
Halley's brows moved to the side, and she bit her lip. "Just Tomas and Maia."
That could be a lot worse. "Why didn't you tell us first?" Dahniel pressed again.
"Y-you yelled at me," Halley exclaimed.
"You didn't tell us first. You snuck behind our backs."
"I knew you were going to yell at me! You think I'm a slut."
"Honey, we know you aren't. That's. We know you're a young girl but you have to be responsible." Laira choked out.
"Daddy thinks I am," Halley retorted, her voice breaking.
"Halley." Dahniel shook his head, advancing towards her. "No. You're a good girl and. We know that." He sighed. "I just didn't expect this from you. You and Tomas always seemed so." He coughed. "I didn't expect this."
"I'm seventeen," she exclaimed, and hugged herself, shifting away from him. "Dahn was having sex at seventeen. Y-you don't care about Dahn and Jone, you just care about me and Elora."
"That's how it is." Laira exclaimed. "We are branded so much more easily than men, that's just the life we have."
Dahniel glanced over at his wife. She wasn't wrong, but she did seem to imply it was all men who made it that way. "Regardless of fair, you have a reputation to maintain."
"What about Dahn's reputation? And Maia's? Is Maia a slut?"
"Stop it right now," Dahniel snapped.
Halley didn't say anything, sitting still in shock.
"Halley," Laira tried. "We don't care about other people as much as we do about you. And it's different for Dahn. He and Maia are getting married."
"Not when they first had sex. B-but they're not sluts. Just me. I'm never good enough."
"That is not what we're saying. You are good, you're so good that we know you're better than this. We are just saying that you need to be more responsible so that this doesn't happen or come close to happening. We don't make the rules but you sure have to follow them."
Halley stood. "I w-won't apologize for having sex. W-we're careful."
"Then what happened," Laira demanded. "Lay it out for us so that we understand."
"You're never going to understand," Halley exclaimed. "I just want to go back to Dahn and Maia."
"We yelled at Dahn too. He was not in the right." Dahniel raised a brow. "But he also is not going to have that hanging over his head the way that you will. Like it or not"
"I am. N-never going to be good enough for you." Halley looked down, covering her eyes with both hands.
"Honey. You are good enough. That doesn't mean that we're not going to push you to be better and keep on getting better. We love all of your siblings, and we love you." Dahniel exhaled. "And if you won't apologize, then at least tell us that you won't have. It. Anymore, unless you can be sure that there won't be any more scares like this."
"I'm going to bed." She pushed a hand off the couch and moved for the door.
"We are not done talking to you." Dahniel said. "Honey. Talk to us."
"I'm done talking," Halley bit.
"We don't care. Don't talk back to us." Laira frowned. "We are still your parents. Did you want to stay with Maia and Dahn?"
"Yes." She flipped back to them. "T-that's where I'm going."
"We will allow it." Dahniel commented. "Honey. Just because we are angry doesn't mean we don't love you."
"I don't think you do. Not really." She narrowed her eyes and turned again, pulling the door open.
"We love you!" Laira called after, breaking down into tears after her daughter moved out. "How could you say that?"
Dahniel followed Halley out. "You will not try to manipulate us like this," he yelled.
"I'm going to my brother's!"
"Not with that attitude, you're not!" Dahniel snapped.
She turned back to look at him, shaking. Her eyes were wet. "You d-don't love me."
"Stop it." Dahniel whispered. "Don't be manipulative. That's what we are talking about."
"I r-really hate you right now." She dropped her arms, her shoulders, her head, and shook.
Laira moved out of the parlor, holding her forearm with her hand. "I think we all need to sit down."
"I agree," Dahniel said. "Let's slow down."
"I just want to go to Dahn and Maia." Halley closed her eyes. "I don't care, it's fine."
"It's not fine. We're your parents, and we love you." Dahniel said.
Halley shook her head, taking a slower step back. "I just want to be alone for a while."
"Halley." Laira whispered, face covered with tears. "P-please."
She shook her head again. "I'm sorry. I don't want this."
"We don't either, Halley, we want you to be happy," Dahniel insisted. "This is for your own good."
Halley shook her head. "I'm sorry I'm not good enough for you."
"Halley, that's ridiculous."
"I didn't think I could tell you, or ask for advice, or ask for help. And I d-don't know, not about sex or anything else."
''We're your parents, you shouldn't be telling anyone else at all." Laira exclaimed, sobbing. "Why did you grow up? I. I remember when you were in pigtails."
Halley shook her head, looking down. "I. I want to go to Maia and Dahn."
"Give us both a hug and you can go." Dahniel said after a moment.
"I don't want a hug," Halley whispered.
"Come here," Laira insisted, moving forward. "Baby, please."
Halley shook her head, taking another step back. She hadn't stopped crying.
Laira gasped, "p-please. Halley, don't do this."
"I'm not doing anything, I just don't want to hug you after you called me a slut. Might as well have." Halley's head trembled. "I want to go."
"Halley, we didn't call you that. Please hug your mother." Dahniel said. "Come on."
Halley closed her eyes on the tears, and shook her head.
Laira groaned, pained. "We didn't, Halley. Don't do this to us."
"I don't want a hug," Halley whispered again.
Dahniel sighed, looking at his daughter and shaking his head. "We do everything for you."
"I'm going to go." She chewed on her lip, picking her head up and wiping as many tears away as she could with one hand.
"I l-love you, Halley." Laira's eyes welled. "I love you more than anything."
"I love you." Halley's breath hitched and she turned, dropping her shoulders. She hoped they couldn't see she was about to start crying.
Dahniel took a step after her. "I love you too," He said. "Be safe, Halley. We'll finish this talk later."
Halley stalked to the door, hoping no one would stop her in the hall or on the lift to Maia and Dahn's.
When she got to Dahn and Maia's apartment, her brother was waiting for her, worried. Halley was sobbing now, but she tried to shift past him.
Dahn shifted sideways to intercept her. "Halley, mom and dad didn't tell me anything. What's going on?"
She whimpered, trying to pull her arms away. "Dahn, j-just let me go."
Dahn released her but followed close behind. "Halley. Whatever it is, you can tell me."
"I can't tell you shit." She stormed towards her room.
"What do you mean? I always keep your secrets."
"Just leave me alone. Leave me alone."
Dahn winced. "Halley, do you at least want to talk to Maia?"
She stopped, her hair bouncing over her shoulders. "I want to be alone for a minute." She shivered.
Dahn nodded. "Okay. I'll make some hot chocolate?"
"If you just think I'm being dramatic, don't waste your time."
"I didn't say that, I don't think that." Dahn frowned. "I don't know what's going on."
"Whatever, Dahn." Halley turned her back to him, closing herself in the room she used when she stayed with them.
A few minutes later, a firm knock came on Halley's door. "Halley? Can I come in?" It was Thalassa Tarkin.
Halley looked up. She felt her body shift, she sat straighter without realizing it. "Yes, ma'am."
Thalassa moved inside. "Are you all right? You were so upset when I saw you earlier."
She nodded, but her eyes waned. She pushed her hair back with a hand at her crown, and wiped her eyes dry.
"We should talk, Halley. I think you deserve someone to listen to your side."
Halley sighed. "Did you talk to my parents?"
"I did not." Thalassa said.
Halley started braiding a small section of her hair, looking away. "I shouldn't talk about it."
"I won't tell anyone else if you want to talk to me "
Halley stayed silent, and Thalassa studied the girl's face. "Let's fix your makeup," she muttered.
She moved over, sitting beside Halley on the bed. "What shade are you?"
"It's all in my makeup bag," Halley whispered. "In my suitcase." She moved down from the bed, and ducked her head for a moment before picking it up for Thalassa. She carried the makeup bag to the dressing table, looking up as Thalassa joined her.
Thalassa sat next to her and frowned, nodding. "I think we can fix this pretty easily. Unless you'd like me to call Maia's makeup artists."
"That's okay," Halley whispered.
"How do you like your eyes done?"
"I like my makeup light." Halley sighed, scoffing at herself. "I'm crying so much, maybe I shouldn't put on eyeshadow."
"We aren't going out or anything. I really think you would look amazing with a smoky eye."
Halley nodded. "I like how I look with them. My dad doesn't like so much makeup."
"It's your body, you get to decide what you put on it." Thalassa watched her. "You should respect your parents, but you're also your own person."
"That's how I feel too. I." Halley sighed, looking down.
"You can tell me." Thalassa said.
"Everyone treats me like it's not my body."
"Well, it is. And there is a double standard. Men don't have this problem."
"Nobody cares that Dahn had sex before he was married. Or Jone."
"And frankly, that is terrible." Thalassa said. "Especially when they give you trouble for you doing the same."
Halley looked down, nodding. "One person. Ever."
"Your boyfriend? Tomas?"
She didn't bother to stop nodding.
"That's a lot less than many people."
"My father thinks I'm a whore for having sex at all."
"Well, where does he think you came from?"
Halley's cheeks reddened. "Only women aren't supposed to have sex. But we're also not supposed to say no to men, or something."
"Impossible to please everyone." Thalassa agreed.
She closed her eyes. "I thought I was pregnant. And I'm not, b-but I thought I did the responsible thing, and I just got yelled at."
"You tried to take care of it without making a big fuss. I think that was very mature."
"My dad never does anything but talk at me."
"I know that Maia sometimes feels that way about her father. They really do mean well."
Halley sighed. "Maia is so perfect."
Thalassa smiled, nodding. "And yet look where she is. How do you think she got pregnant?'
"Were you mad at her," Halley asked. "She. Had sex at my age."
"At first." Thalassa admitted. "But not as mad as her father was. I was not going to contradict him."
"I've never seen you two fight in public." Halley swallowed. "Or on video."
"We cultivate that. We are a unit."
Halley nodded. "My parents do the same thing. Even when we're the only ones around."
"Well. I'm not happy Maia caused scandal, but she is my baby, and privately, I'm happy that she is happy."
Halley looked down again. "Did this baby cause a scandal?"
"A little. Yes. Less than Wilhuff thought but. She is an adult. And our child." Thaliana frowned. "People care less than I thought they would."
"That's good," Halley whispered. "Everyone and everything portrays her as. I don't understand it, she's simultaneously like the Empire's baby, the darling, and brilliant, and. Sexy and unattainable? How can she project so many images at once?"
"The magic of the HoloNet." Thalassa sighed. She had always hated the media's portrayal of her daughter as a sexual object. During the Republic and when Maia was younger, they had been able to address it, and relatively well. But now, it was what the Empire needed. "You have to be yourself, and be so unattainable that everyone wants you. It's the only way to insulate yourself."
Halley nodded, but she was sure her parents didn't want her projecting any sexual image at all. "When were more. Things. Added for Maia? When did the media start sexualizing her?"
"Too early. Liberals talk like it was only after the Empire, but the Empire wasn't around when Maia was nine and ten. I remember magazine articles, mainstream magazines. Captions asking for shorter dresses. My baby was nine."
"Right," Halley whispered. "That's gross."
Thalassa nodded, blinking a tear away and smiling. "It's the world we live in, Halley, and we have to either own it, or let it trample over us."
"But she was nine."
"And we kept it away from her until she was old enough to start to understand. But they were going to do it anyway. They're going to do it anyway. So make them fear saying anything bad, or be so untouchable that everyone else will hurt them without the need for a request."
Halley supposed that was how Maia survived. "I don't want them sexualizing my niece."
Thalassa's face grew dark. "I'm not happy about that prospect either."
Halley narrowed her eyes. "Don't they care that they watched Maia grow up?"
"Some do," Thalassa sighed, shaking her head. "It's a disgusting galaxy sometimes."
Halley pushed her hair back. She felt sick. "If my dad won't see, we can do a smoky eye."
Thalassa made herself smile. "That's the spirit." She looked at Halley's eyeshadow palettes. "Do you have a preference? I like this one, myself." She picked up one of the dusty blue shadows from the magnetic tray.
Halley nodded. The slates and cool blues complimented her eye color.
"Beautiful." Thalassa murmured, applying the makeup. "It looks good. Let me blend out the." She trailed off, finishing with a brush and sitting back. "I like it."
Halley looked in the mirror, smiling small. "Thank you."
Thalassa nodded. "Don't you like it too?"
"Yes." Halley pushed her hair back. "My mom would probably just echo my dad."
"I don't know, Halley. I've seen your mum with a smoky eye. Not often, mind you. But if you did it the right way, I don't think they'd say as much."
She shrugged like she didn't care. "My parents are mad at me right now."
Thalassa sighed. "How did they find out?"
"I guess they were just. Paying really close attention to my charges today."
She looked at Halley. "Is there anyway anyone else could find out?"
Halley winced. "If someone followed me. But most people didn't recognize me. And I was really careful. My medical records didn't even record the pregnancy test, the doctor listed it as a physical."
Thalassa nodded. "And your parents will want to keep quiet. It wouldn't do to let the news leak."
"The only other person who knows is Tomas."
"And Maia?"
"And Maia. But Maia won't tell anyone."
"She won't," Thalassa agreed. "And neither will I. Do you have a plan to make sure this scare won't happen again?"
"We only ever used protection. And. I was going to start birth control, but I don't know if my parents will let me now."
Thalassa shook her head. "They especially will now."
"What if they think I only want it so that I can have sex?"
"Well, you and your boyfriend aren't going to stop, are you?"
Halley's mouth opened, and she dropped her head.
"What's wrong? Are you having trouble with Tomas?"
"N-no." Halley dropped her shoulders. "I don't think we're going to stop."
"You don't seem excited about that."
Halley chewed on her lip. "We've been together for a really long time. He loves me."
"That isn't reason enough to stay with someone, Halley."
"I." She sighed, nodding quickly as she sought another way to justify it. "I know, but it's not just love, we work well together, and money wouldn't be a concern."
"That's also true." Thalassa frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm sorry, you asked if Tomas and I will stop having sex. We probably won't."
"Halley. Are you afraid of him?"
She dropped her shoulders again, nodding into her lap.
"Oh, Halley." Thalassa frowned. "Does he hurt you?"
"No." Halley shook her head, looking up in alarm. "Never."
"Are you afraid he will?"
"I. I don't know," Halley admitted.
"Has he given you that indication?" Thalassa frowned, "What makes you think he might?"
"I want to break up with him," Halley pushed out.
"Then you should."
"But what if he gets mad? What if his father does?"
And then Thalassa understood. "Halley. I thought Tomas' father loved you."
"What if he gets mad?"
"He won't hurt you." Thalassa said. "He loves you and that is not his way. The mob is full of criminals, but they have some sort of honor. He wouldn't hurt you." And Tomas Ora Sol, Tomas' father, knew that if he commissioned anything against Halley, the Tarkins wouldn't stand for it. Thalassa would make sure that was still the case.
"I'm just scared," Halley repeated. She managed to keep from crying. "People have tried to hurt Maia."
That was right. And somehow, they hadn't been able to stop them all. "We haven't given up on keeping her safe, and the ones who try to hurt people like us are the under classes. The pathetic rebellious types that hate all that we stand for." Thalassa looked at her. "But the Sals won't hurt you." Thalassa breathed out of her nose. "Why don't you call Tomas now? I can sit right here, and then I'll hear if he threatens you."
"Right now," Halley asked.
"Right now." She agreed.
Halley bit her lip. "But what do I say?"
"Just talk the way you would and tell him that you want to break up, but that you want to stay friends. If you're meant to be together, you'll end up back together." Thalassa looked at her. "You do want to break up with him, yes?"
Halley nodded. "I do," she whispered.
Thalassa nodded. "You can call just voice or you could do holo, whatever you think is the right choice."
Thalassa gave Halley a moment to think about it, but the girl nodded, just as she knew she would. "And you'll stay here?"
Thalassa nodded in turn. "If you would like me too. Out of the frame."
She stood, moving her belongings to the other side of the bed.
Halley took a deep breath and smoothed her hair out. She gave herself another moment and then called Tomas. She wanted to see him.
"Hey, Halley." Tomas answered. It was a few hours later than on Coruscant, but it was apparent he hadn't gone to sleep. He sat on his bed in a casual shirt.
"Hi." Halley swallowed. "Are you feeling better?"
He nodded. "I'm more worried about you. Are you all right? Did anyone find out?"
"My parents. Did. They tell yours?"
"No, no they haven't." Tomas said. "I hope they don't, but. Are you okay, Halley? I was really worried about you."
She sighed and looked down for a moment before catching his eyes. "I'm sorry. I know it's. Not the best time given what happened today. Please don't be mad at me."
"Why would I be mad at you?" Tomas frowned. "Are you hurt?"
Halley swallowed again. "I don't want to stay together during college."
Tomas looked like someone had punched him. "W-what?"
"I'm sorry," Halley whispered.
"W-what made you feel like this?" Tomas looked so hurt. "I. I want you to be happy, but. I think I can make you happy."
"We're both moving on, we're going to be at different schools, doing such different things. I don't want to hold either of us back."
"Do you feel like I'm holding you back?" Tomas looked pained. "This seems so sudden. I love you."
"I'm sorry." Halley crossed her legs. "I'm going to be moving really soon."
" I know but. I just wish we had. Are you sure that we have to do this?"
Halley considered folding until she glanced at Thalassa. "I'm really sorry."
"Okay." Tomas swallowed, trying to still look strong, even as he wanted to cry. "I. I love you, so. The right thing is to let you go and. And be happy."
"I'm sorry." She loved him too, but she hardly thought saying that would help.
"Don't be sorry. I just." Tomas shivered. "I didn't expect this."
Halley knew he wouldn't cry with her there. The fear of weakness stretched so far. "I should let you go."
"Are we done now?" Tomas whispered. "We aren't going to the lake in Friday?"
"Do you still want to?"
"I do. We. I would like to if you still do."
Thalassa shrugged, mouthing at Halley to end the call.
"Um. L-let me think about it. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay." He whispered. "I'm sorry. I. I don't mean to be so upset, I just."
His eyes ached with a desire to tell her he loved her. "I broke up with you," Halley said. She looked down. "I'll call you tomorrow."
"I'll talk to you then." He sighed, lingering another moment
Halley hung up, looking to Thalassa for her validation.
Thalassa nodded, smiling. "Good job."
Halley mimicked the nod, sighing. "I feel better," she admitted. "But he's so upset."
"He should. You're an amazing person."
The teen blinked, her eyes relaxing. "Thank you."
"Are you all right?"
Halley nodded. "Yes. You've just never said that to me before."
"Well, I don't say it to many people."
"But you said it to me."
She smiled small. "Well, there you go."
Halley smiled back. She moved back to the bed. "Thank you for being here. I. Shouldn't have been scared, but thank you anyway."
"Sometimes you just need some support, Halley. That's normal." Thalassa moved to join her. "But we keep it within the family, yes?"
Halley nodded. "Yes."
"Best for no one else to know about your scare."
"I won't tell anyone."
Thalassa smiled. "Do you feel a little better now? One less thing to worry about?"
"Yes," Halley said. "And I look hot."
"You're welcome." Thalassa smirked. "It's a good look for you."
"Tell my dad that." Halley sighed. "Will they be mad if I don't tell them we broke up until tomorrow?"
"I doubt it." Thalassa said. "Did they like him?"
Halley shrugged. "Today, they found out we were having sex."
"So nothing can be worse, yes?"
"Yes." Halley pet her hair down. "You don't think I should go on Friday. Right?"
Thalassa frowned. "It's your decision. Making it one way or the other is your choice."
"But do you have any thoughts? I. Was going to say yes right away, and you told me to end the call."
"I think you should go, and use it as a chance to set boundaries. And to end on good terms."
Halley nodded, and Thalassa did the same. "I also think you should go back to your parents and give them a hug."
Halley's eyes waned now. "My dad yelled at me."
"And that doesn't mean you shouldn't make peace."
"I just want him to apologize. He doesn't get it, at all."
"I'm sorry, I don't know what to tell you." She sighed. "Why do you think he won't?"
"Because he doesn't. Elora and I are sluts for having sex, but Dahn and Jone." Halley shrugged. "And he yelled at me for asking about Maia."
"Men." Thalassa sighed. "All the same. But we only have our families. Let him think you understand, Halley. And then do your own thing."
Halley narrowed her eyes in consideration, and then nodded.
"Avoid conflict," Thalassa said.
"I'll go right now," Halley whispered. She wondered if he would yell at her for the makeup.
Thalassa smiled small. "Good girl."
Halley moved down from the bed, smiling. "Thank you, ma'am."
"I'm glad I was able to help." Thalassa offered a hug.
Halley watched her for a moment and then closed in for the embrace. "Thank you."
"You are welcome. Never be afraid to come to me for advice." Halley squeezed her again, and then Thalassa let go. "And you can call me Ms. Thalassa. Now, go to your parents."
Halley smiled small, moving out the door and to her parent's apartment. She knocked, taking a step back and dropping her shoulders at a new sense of trepidation. She was ready.