A/N: PHEW, it's finally here. Do y'all think I should rename the chapters with actual names, instead of their numbers? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
She was in a bad mood from the second she opened her eyes. She had hoped sleep would help, but it wasn't like it had helped the night after she had had Kele arrested, and it hadn't helped in the nights since. And now, in addition to it all, Kira wouldn't stay still.
Maia didn't think it was a kick, but Kira was definitely awake. She had been awake for most of the night. It was as though Kira planned for those days when Maia was going in to the office and so needed to wake at an ungodly hour anyway, and now, when Maia couldn't stop thinking about what her fiance had done, it made it even worse. Of course, her mind never stayed on only Dahn. She thought about Kele too, and about everyone at work who she knew she couldn't trust, and about whom she wasn't so sure she could trust or not. It was two hours still before her alarm. She tried, yet again, to distract herself, turning on her side in hopes that the motion would help to calm her daughter. Instead, Kira decided to dance. Maia didn't want to think about Dahn, or about parenting Kira, or about holding Kira, or about playing with the baby once she was here. She just wanted to kriffing sleep.
Dahn woke next to her, as he always did. His presence would have been welcome if he knew how to help, or tried something other than asking her a series of questions she didn't have the energy or trust in herself to answer. Offers of back rubs, or tea, or some snack. And then the apologies, once again, for missing what had happened with Kele, for not thinking it was important, and for joking around with the other man for so many years.
She had handled it. Not him.
And she hated how angry she felt. She knew it was reasonable to be angry, even with Dahn. But they were a month away from having a baby, and in that moment, she felt angry with everyone, Kira included. And with herself, for still being pregnant, and, of course, with herself and Dahn for being way past the time where she could reasonably work to resolve an issue like him keeping it to himself for ten years that he was there when she was sexually assaulted or raped, and had said nothing at all.
Dahn hadn't sat up, nor turned, nor uttered a word asking what she might need. She helped herself down from the bed and into the shower.
After a while of standing, she sat on the shower floor and washed her hair. She didn't know how long had gone by when Dahn knocked on the open bathroom door.
"Are you all right?"
Maia nodded. "I couldn't sleep." She stood, both hands on the rail. "You should go back to bed." She grimaced, tilting her head down. It was so uncomfortable. "Do you want to come in? What time even is it?"
"I'll come in." Dahn stepped inside, pulling off his night clothes. He stopped to look at the wheelchair, but didn't comment. "Fifteen minutes before the alarm."
"Can you turn it off first?"
He pressed a button on his comm to disable the device, ignoring the barrage of texts from her first cousin. He set a hand on her stomach when she glared down at her bump. He saw part of Kira's hand protruding until his set on top of the bulge.
"Can you wash out my conditioner?"
"Sure thing." He ran his hands through her hair as the water cascaded over her. "I love how your hair has been feeling. It's so silky, lately."
"I don't know if it will stay that way." Honestly, she didn't care. She had a professional team on her hair and makeup. This wasn't worth pregnancy. She doubted anything was.
"I don't care either way, Maia. You'll always be beautiful to me." He leaned in for a kiss and then began to cough as soap landed on his tongue.
She turned her back to him, rolling her eyes. "There's time for you to shower. Will you get more done if I leave?"
"No." He sighed, chuckling as he began to clean himself. "There was a time when you'd have glanced over."
"I'm pregnant," she said, again by way of explanation.
"Some pregnant women have higher libidos. I'm not complaining!" Dahn raised his hands, washing under his arm. "But I am glad you're still strong enough to stand and walk around."
"I wish I could do it more." It was annoying. Everyone and everything was so annoying. And when her father arrived that evening, she knew she would have next to no chances to walk, the chair would be required. Not that anyone let her do anything as it was.
"I wish you could too. Soon, Maia. So soon." He pat her arm before returning to his shower. "At least the chair is comfortable."
"Finish up, so we can have breakfast." She rung out her hair and wrapped a fluffy towel around herself, sitting on a bench beside the shower. She hated the itch of water dripping under her stomach, but she couldn't comfortably reach it with the towel.
He emerged a few minutes later, and sat beside her in a towel of his own. He reached over to feel where Kira grew inside her. "Active, isn't she?"
She wanted to glare again. Instead, she carefully moved his hand away.
"Why did you schedule the meeting with Coren so early," Dahn asked. "I could have asked Ross to move things around. I'd like to come."
"You have your own meetings. We both have full days."
"Maybe you'll get lucky and Palpatine will send you home early?" Dahn suggested. He hummed. "Do we still have time for lunch? I didn't see any meetings in that time slot."
"He'd better not send me home early unless he's going to fire me. I have too much to do today."
"The most important thing is being ready for Kira isn't it?" Dahn's face fell, and he watched Maia for another moment in silence.
She scowled, staring. "Sorry. I'll get back in my kriffing chair."
"W-what?" Dahn's eyes widened. "Wait, Maia, what did I say? Your work is important, I'm sorry. Of course you should work if you can, but your leave starts so soon anyway."
She clasped her arms around each other, and settled them atop her baby bump. "And look how much I still have to do. It's important, it's all important, I have to keep myself healthy, and keep myself ready for Kira. I also have important work to do with Senator Fray'la, and with Bail, and with a lot of other people, so please, please don't imply that you know better than me and the doctors what I need to do to be ready for Kira."
"You're so right," Dahn admitted. "What a stupid thing of me to say, I'm so. So. So sorry."
She looked down, silent for another minute. Then her shoulders started to shake. "It's okay."
"How are you feeling?" Dahn squeezed her hand. "Do you want to sit down before hair and makeup?"
"In the powder room, maybe."
"Something lighter than usual. Can they do that?"
"Public Relations tells Fabian exactly what they want." It was ridiculous that, on the best of days, the process took two hours. It was even more ridiculous that it had become so normal over the last fifteen years.
Dahn guided her to the powder room, and then called for a droid to bring her chair, and a cheese board for breakfast. They were alone for now, long enough that Maia had time to pull herself together. But soon, Fabian led his team into the room.
"Maia," he greeted, pulling their boxes of supplies from the closet. "You haven't met Britini, she will be assisting us today." The beauty school student followed behind Rabkah, who had recently delivered her own child, and had since reclaimed her position as Fabian's lead hairstylist.
Maia smiled at Britini first. "It's very nice to meet you." If she had anything to do with it, none of them would ever know she was so upset.
"It's an honor to be here, ma'am. I promise I wont dissapoint you."
"You don't have to worry about that," Dahn said. He squeezed Maia's hand, turning to Fabian. "I'm going to stay this morning, if that's all right. I don't want to be in the way."
"On the bench there." Fabian pointed. "You'll get a front row seat." And he wouldn't be underfoot.
Fabian turned back to Maia with a smile. "Today we're going to go with a little bit more of a balanced eye look, and a more natural highlight." He looked at his support staff. "Hair is going up, style five into a sleek chignon." He held up her hand. "New polish."
Hair up always meant neck pain. Maia turned to look at Dahn, but sat straight out of habit as Rabkah ran her fingers through Maia's hair.
"Color is perfect." Fabian murmured, to Maia's relief. He moved away from Rabkah's shoulder as Britini started painting Maia's nails.
"We've missed you." Maia smiled to Rabkah. "How is your son?" She did her best to listen through the response, and to engage further. It wasn't that she didn't care. She cared a lot. But she was so tired, and they had only just begun.
They had chosen her clothing too, like always. She changed with a smile and very few words that really mattered, and then when the Blue Guards came to fly her to work, it was time to go back in the chair. Dahn helped her step into her pre-chosen shoes, and Fabian adjusted a flyaway that would be loose again soon enough.
She could already tell that she would be tired tomorrow. When they left the speeder, she wasn't in the mood to add being yelled at for a holo that showed the lack of a smile.
Maia's office was quiet this time of morning. Lunette used the gentle hum of the office as white noise. The donuts at the cafe nearby were much fresher when she arrived at this time, and with the coffee and treat in toe, she could get more work done in the quiet. Besides, her boss and friend had an early meeting this morning, and Lunette had a tea waiting for her.
It wasn't like him to arrive so early. Lunette caught Coren Doneta's scowl as the man brushed a fine blue thread from his gold and purple cloak, leaning against her desk. His family's bloodline made him feel entitled him to the fine garment. At least the wood rimmed shoes showed off his culture while being less ostentatious. He speedily exchanged pleasantries with Maia's Chief of Staff, and set the box of cookies on her desk for temporary safekeeping. Lunette followed his gaze to a long rectangular art fixture on the wall.
"Do you happen to know where Maia's art buyer found the Yorte original? Or through what auction house it was sold? He was from the Pallis sector, admittedly before my family assumed the Moffship. I intend to have my family's art buyer pursue any other pieces."
Lunette was about to explain that she had no idea about the origin of the art pieces in Maia's office, or why Maia's Public Relations team chose to spend their budget the way they did, when Maia herself rolled in, flanked by her security detail. Lunette's look of relief was palpable when she handed Maia the cup of tea. "Madam Prime Minister, Senator Coren Doneta for your nine o'clock." Maia could see she was ready to pass the senator off, even though the hour hadn't yet arrived.
"Maia!" Coren exclaimed, "You look radiant as ever." He walked up to her, offering a hand, palm up. "Very fetching, do I see a different highlighter than usual?"
She smiled, turning her head to the side. "You pay such close attention to my makeup?"
He chuckled, taking Maia's hand for a brief kiss. "I pay attention to my friends." Coren laughed more heartily now. "Thank you for letting me take this early slot. Ashlynn sends her regards. And I brought cookies for you." He lifted the box with a warm smile.
"Thank you. That's so sweet," she said, though truly, gifts were expected of their class. "Dahn is sorry he couldn't make it. Why don't we leave the staff's cookies on a plate or something?"
"Yes. And then we can continue in your office? There are a few documents to look over for the gala."
Her eyes lit up. He liked that. Coren slipped around back and pushed her chair the rest of the way, using the rear control panel to finesse her through the door. "There we are." He pat her arm, depositing her behind her desk before pulling a chair of his own to sit next to her. "Lest I be impolite, may I ask how you are? Given everything that's happened with Kele, you must still be very upset."
Maia nodded, setting the tea cup on its saucer. "What did you hear?"
"That Kele had assaulted you all those years ago." Coren's frown grew deeply. "I knew he was classless, but I didn't think that he had that in him. Of course, no one can blame you for having him arrested. He was an animal." He tapped on the desk, pushing the box of cookies forward. "I wish I had been at that party. You know I've always had my eye out for you. I wouldn't have sat idly by. Did Holden Varbell look into him for you?"
"I did it myself." She frowned, only for a moment. She hadn't even thought of asking her contacts for help. But more pressing was Coren's tone. "Dahn didn't-that's not what happened."
"He should have known." Coren grimaced, his nose, forehead, and eyes crinkling in unison. "Forgive me, I don't mean to speak ill of your affianced, but if I were you then, I wouldn't be pleased he didn't say anything until-" He paused just long enough for a half-dismissive exhale. "It was at the Tagge party, was it not?"
"What was?"
"When you found out. When Dahn chose to spontaneously remember."
"Who told you that?"
"That's just what people have been saying since the party."
"There were a lot of people around who would never have let Kele hurt me if they'd known." Maia frowned deeply, glancing at her comm. It wasn't like she was the only one who had these experiences. People around who should have helped didn't. "Just like all of those people who apparently noticed I was upset at Tagge's party, but haven't said anything to me."
"They know you're under a lot of stress. I haven't spread rumors. I would never do that to you."
She turned her eyes to the cookie box. "You didn't have to bring anything."
"I wanted you to have something sweet. Besides me, of course." He chuckled at his own joke but shook his head and looked down at the cookies. "Perhaps we should take care of business?"
She pulled plates from the desk's leftmost drawer. "There are water bottles in the refrigeration unit."
He was on his feet before she had finished, bounding over to the unit, his cloak flowing behind him with a natural flourish. "Just water, or do you want one of these juices?"
"Water. I have the tea." She placed a cookie on each of their plates. "So. You wanted to meet about the Foundation."
"Yes!" He opened both bottles of water, and set them directly on the wooden desk. "I recently had a hearing with the zoning commission on Lessu, and they're willing to classify the new Ryloth orphanage as a joint commercial-residential space. Exactly what we wanted. This way, we can have bake sales and lemonade stands, and other youngling-run activities without the need for additional permits."
"That's great." She almost clapped her hands together. "Then you don't need any of my help on that front."
"Your contributions have made all of it possible." He opened a datapad. "We couldn't have opened the first facility without you, and the new facility will be over halfway yours. The Lessu Charitable Association which has agreed to let us use their office facilities rent-free when we hire the new administrative staff. Effectively worth a few million in rents per year. We do need to put a deposit down on the playground space behind the facility. If you can push that check through, then the Association would be honored to name it the Tarkin-Pryscott Play Area." His smile grew quickly. "And then there are some letters I'd like you to write, but drafts are in the shared drive already."
"I'll look later," Maia agreed. "And we'll send the check later tonight. We're honored."
"Thank you." He closed the screen. "I hope that in a year or so, when we're ready to open the third facility, you might come and help choose the location, help our decorators."
"We'd love to. Do you think you'll ever branch further than Ryloth, or would you start a second foundation for each additional species?"
He paused, taking a sip of his water as he collected his thoughts. "I don't want to place Twi'leks in non-Twi'lek homes. I would start a foundation for each species, perhaps with a parent organization overseeing each of them."
"That might provide the cleanest apparatus," Maia agreed.
"And perhaps you'll be able to retire and chair one of the boards yourself? It's something we're both so passionate about."
She nodded, but she couldn't hold back the frown. "It'll be a long time before I'm allowed to retire, I think."
"We can all pray." He sipped his water again. "Even a vacation would be well deserved. We should go somewhere."
"Well. There's labor. And then our wedding, and the honeymoon. Another vacation may be a while."
"However long it takes, we should get away together. You and I, like the mountain trip, back in junior year."
"You have a youngling. How easy is it to get away?"
"We hired a good girl for childcare. Ashlynn will be head-down for the end of the year, and I deserve to get away as well." Coren hummed. "I hope that you'll think about it."
"Maybe." She finished her first cookie, and then took another. "I'll have a newborn, it's hard to know what I will and won't be able to handle. But I'll talk to Dahn, we can consider it. Where would you want to go?"
"Well. I hope we understand each other. We're so close, Maia. I think it would be fun for just the two of us to get away." He scooted his chair closer to her, careful not to lean in too soon, too quickly.
She frowned, turning her head to the side, and set the cookie on her plate. "Why would you want to leave Ashlynn behind for something so fun?"
"Well, Ashlynn is wonderful. I never regret the day we were married, but sometimes people of our political class just need to be able to connect with someone on that deeper level. Dahn can't understand your life any better than Ashlynn can understand mine. They're wonderful people, I have nothing against Dahn, but neither of them are royalty."
Maia chewed on her lip, shaking her head. "I'm not royalty, Coren, that's not why I'm here."
"Of course it is. It's our families. Right or wrong, we're here because of them. No one understands that part of your life as well as I do."
"That's not true."
"Maia, we've been good friends for years now. I think we should take that to the next level. Everyone has a special someone outside of their marriage. Many people have more than one."
She rolled her chair back as deftly as she could manage, pulling a random book from her bookshelf. "I'm not looking to have an affair, Coren. We're friends."
"It doesn't have to replace a marriage, but we can be so much more intimate than you can risk being with your spouse."
She shook her head, turning back to him. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm saying it's what's right for us." His voice dropped half an octave as he slid closer, placing a hand on her arm. "It can be special."
"Stop." She froze, catching his eyes with what she hoped was enough of an insistent, direct glare.
He sighed, standing and walking to her shelf, filling two new glasses with ice cubes from the freezing unit. "Maia, can we discuss this? I don't want to end our conversation on such a note, especially given other relationships we've both pursued."
"Then let's discuss something else." She waited for him to set her glass down before she stared at it and drank tea, leaning wholly away from him now. She considered pointing out the water bottles he'd long-since brought to the desk, but considered against it. He blinked a moment later, and filled the glasses with water from those same bottles. She set the tea back down.
He watched her for a moment, and then shook his head. While her back was turned, he moved behind the chair, slowly stepping and setting his hand on the control panel in silence. "This is a sensitive subject, we should address it. People have affairs all of the time. All kinds of people."
"Tell me about your daughter. Do you have a new holo," Maia asked.
He used the control panel on the back of her chair to turn her back towards him.
She blinked, eyes widening and then narrowing to a glare. "Stop," she repeated. "Why are you doing this?"
"Maia. You don't want to talk about my daughter. I remember how you used to blush when we spoke. If I hadn't been dating Tifini." He paused. "But that doesn't matter now. I know about you and Varbell. There must be others. It's all right, you know me."
She moved her chair to the side, turning herself in towards the desk when he sunk to eye level. "None of that is true, Coren. None of it. Show me a holo of your daughter or leave."
"It is true." He moved behind her again and pressed the button to turn her back towards him, carefully kissing her cheek.
Maia shook her head, setting both hands on his chest and pushing back. "Stop it. Coren, stop."
The sudden push made him stumble, and he grabbed her arm to catch himself, pulling her forward. "Maia." He pinned the arm, turning them both so that her left side was against the desk. "I don't want to hurt you." He leaned down again, forcing his lips against hers.
She smacked him with her right hand, and twisted her left against his thumb in a much-practiced gesture her father had hoped would never find use.
He managed to slide his hand out, and slapped hers away. "Stop it," he growled now, narrowing his eyes. He pushed forward, pinning her right hand firmly in place and kissing her lips again. "Just relax."
Her left hand flailed for a tool, and she grabbed hold of a water glass. She closed her eyes, and brought it hard against his temple. The glass shattered, and as soon as he twisted her arm, she pulled back and shoved him to the floor, grabbing her comm.
Coren screamed, a shrill sound in contrast to the deep guttural he had used only a moment before. He stumbled back, clutching his head, his hand turning crimson from the blood. "M-Maia." He shook his head, stabilizing himself against the desk.
The door burst open before he could regain his bearings, a stun blast hitting him directly at the base of the neck. "Freeze!" Speikre said, redundant as Coren slumped to the ground. "Ma'am." He rushed forward stepping over Coren's limp body. "You're injured." He winced, visually spotting a dozen places where glass shards had sliced her forehead, cheeks, and hands. He could no longer see the shards of glass that had worked their way into her hands and wrists.
Maia whimpered. She moved her hand up to the largest cut over her temple.
"Don't touch, hold your hands steady." Kroft insisted as she pulled a subdermal agitator from her side. She didn't pause to speak, pulling glass shards individually from Maia's forehead. "This will hurt, but it will get the glass out. Nothing is deep enough to cause an artery cut. May I pull them out?"
Maia turned to the lieutenant, staring at her now. She held still, and then nodded.
"Careful, don't move your head, Ma'am, we'll take care of this," Kroft assured her. "Can you say something? Can you speak to me?"
The pain was more like a dull throb than the sharp pain as the glass had gone in, but it seemed to stretch on and on. Even so, when Kroft pulled away, she saw the Speikre was still standing over Coren. "Is he dead."
"He is stunned and he'll have heavy bruises." Speikre said. "How did it happen?"
"Give her a minute, Captain," Kroft said, working as quickly as she could to remove the glass from Maia's hands. "We have a doctor coming from the medbay."
Maia's comm rang, the name that of her father's aide-de-camp.
"Fict, come here," Kroft called. "Answer the comm. Ma'am, we're going to take your comm now. It's all right. Drop it to your lap, please."
Maia didn't let go. Lieutenant Fict approached from the side, and took it from her hand. Maia rested her head to the cushioned headrest of her wheelchair.
If Natasi Daala were surprised to see the guard and not Maia, her demeanor didn't show it. "We received a notification that you activated emergency protocols."
"It is under control, ma'am, but her father will need to know she is hurt. It is not critical." Lieutenant Fict nodded. "She has small cuts, they're being patched."
"What happened," Daala asked. "I'd like to give him details."
"She had a routine meeting with another senator, but he attacked her."
"Attacked her how? Look, the admiral is on his way. At any minute you or I could get a call. I need to know what happened."
"He assaulted her," Fict said, carrying the comm to a far corner of the office. "Captain, she isn't ready to relay what happened, she's in shock. We don't know what happened yet, or how, or in what order, but the Prime Minister clearly punched him or kicked him, and broke a glass against his head, and they both received lacerations. We came in a second later and shot him with a stun gun."
"It should have been a live round." Daala frowned deeply. "All right. Fine. Governor Tarkin will likely call you regardless. Let me know when you have new information."
"We're going to find out exactly what happened as soon as we can," Fict said. "We will tell you when she is ready to talk. If you can keep her father from calling her until then, I think it would help her calm down."
"I'll do what I can." Natasi sighed and nodded. "Thank you. Good day."
He ended the call, and set the comm back on the desk beside Maia and Kroft. Fict waved Lunette inside and to his corner. Maia could hear them negotiating to reschedule appointments, and she bit her lip, resting her head back along the chair's headrest.
Her attention couldn't help but slip. She heard people coming and going, and recognized herself answering questions about the assault. Her comm rang another time, but one of her guards handled it.
A sharp rap of an armored hand on plastisteel pulled everyone's eyes towards the door. Maia jumped, startled out of her shock. She noticed Dahn now kneeled on the floor next to her, glancing worriedly at a human male in a while coat and scrubs. Lunette pressed the access button, allowing a man and a woman inside Maia's office. They wore Navy uniforms, the marked difference between them and her security team The man strode forward like he belonged, head up with a fixed stare on nothing in particular. The woman followed with just as clean a step, but she glanced among all those who were already inside, awaiting direction in opposition to the man's forwardness.
"Commander Alister Rourke and Lieutenant Commander Ryssa Wystalin reporting for duty, ma'am." The man informed them, saluting sharply. "We will assist in any way required, ma'am."
"Excuse me." Maia recognized the man beside her as a doctor from his clothing alone. "Please be quiet around my patient."
Maia looked up from her lap when she realized the man had spoken to her. She flung her hair back, nodding. "That's all right. Thank you, Commanders."
Commander Rourke advanced, offering a hand when she didn't return his salute. "We will help bring you home."
"She can't shake hands for a while, I'm afraid," Lieutenant Kroft said. "The bacta is still working on her cuts."
Maia noticed the bandages then. They wrapped around both of her hands like mittens. She felt numb to the wrist, and she couldn't feel her forehead either. She rested her cheek back against the headrest.
"I'm fine," she muttered. Her eyes found the bloodstain on the carpet. Coren was gone. She swallowed, turning her head back towards her lap.
Dahn offered a hand of his own to Rourke. "Thank you."
"Of course. I'm deeply sorry to hear what happened." Rourke shook Dahn's hand, turning to the doctor. "How long will she be like this?"
The doctor blinked. "Like this? The body heals every moment. You'll need to be more specific."
"I'll check on the cuts when we make it home. They'll likely be fully healed tomorrow." Kroft assured them. "Maia is a fast healer. And the doctor says he'll visit tomorrow to look her over again. As many times as it takes."
"Very reasonable," Ryssa Wystalin said. "Sir, I'll secure the outer office unless you think we are ready to move her now."
"Commanders, if you'll hold here with her, I should go. The staff will be more comfortable if they see me." Kroft said. She frowned, scanning her eyes over Maia. She'd proven increasingly more aware as the hour had gone on, but any other day, she would have been talking up a storm with these two. "Senator Pryscott will answer your questions."
"Do you need more water, Maia?" Dahn asked. He helped a bottle to her mouth. "There's still more." He turned to Kroft, petting Maia's hair. "I want to know what he does or says when he wakes up."
"Of course, we'll keep you informed," Commander Rourke said. "Can you tell me how capable you feel of walking, ma'am? I don't expect we will need you to, but just in case."
"I can walk," Maia said.
"The doctors have told her not to strain, but she is allowed to walk to and from the 'fresher, for example," Dahn agreed. "She doesn't need to use the chair."
"All right, I'll keep that in mind." Rourke checked the window and the emergency exits. "We'll leave shortly. Just waiting for clearance."
Kira shifted within her mother. The movement was gentle, as if she needed to stretch. "She's awake," Maia whispered. She set her hand back on her stomach. It wasn't so painful as when she kicked. If only they were all like this.
"Did she move?" Dahn whispered, scooting closer to touch Maia's side. "Careful. But is she kicking?"
"This won't affect your daughter in any way," the doctor said. ". All vitals are strong."
"How long has she been moving," Ryssa asked, her voice low and soft.
Maia turned to look at her. "Oh—when I said something. Five minutes? And then since I was four months pregnant."
"That's amazing." Ryssa smiled encouragingly. "You're excited for her to be out, I'm sure?"
Maia nodded through a long exhale. "Yes. I can't really talk about it, but I'm ready."
"Does talking distract you, ma'am?"
Maia frowned down at her desk, shaking her hair off her shoulders. "From what?"
Ryssa moved closer, taking a seat on the opposite Maia's side of the desk "From what just happened." She leaned forward slightly. "It must be impossible."
"I told him to stop at least four times before I threw a glass at his head."
"You hit him well. Strong arm." Rourke encouraged. "If you'd had a better position, he would have been out cold."
"It wasn't hard enough," Maia said. "He grabbed my arm. They had to shoot him."
"You were sitting, he had the high ground." Ryssa offered. "You managed a lot from a weaker position."
"Maybe I could have found a solution that wouldn't have made me bleed too."
"No, you found the best option you had access to." Ryssa assured her. "I think your father will be proud." She colored slightly. "If what they say about him is true."
"Did Captain Daala select you," Maia asked.
Rourke puffed his chest out. "We were the best choices."
"I think she chose off proximity and ability," Ryssa said. "We didn't speak with her, we were informed of a temporary change through a comm message."
"Is she professional?" Rourke asked, curious. "She must be, to work with your father."
"A lot of people underestimate what women can do," Maia said. "My father isn't one of them."
Dahn looked up from the corner of the office, grimacing. "Your mother wants you to call when we are home."
Maia frowned. "You were talking to my mum? When?"
"You were there when I picked up." Dahn sent a worried look at the doctor who shook his head.
"It's the stress," he said.
"Your mom wants us to call when we get home," Dahn repeated, slower now.
"I will," Maia whispered. She let her head fall back down. "Did you tell her I love her?"
"Of course."
"Did you see Lieutenant Kroft," Maia asked. "When are we ready to go?"
"Is there anything you need us to pack up, ma'am?" Rourke inquired. "Belongings you want us to take?"
Maia hesitated, and then scanned the office. "This datapad stays here."
"I can put your books away," Ryssa insisted, jumping to her feet. "If you can just show me where they go."
She directed the lieutenant commander to each book's home on the bookshelf. The older woman lingered on a few of the books in particular. Maia did her best to remember, for the future. She would send Wystalin the titles later.
"I think all of your things are packed." Dahn reached for one of her hands, but stopped himself, moving her hair off the bandaged cut on her temple.
"Ma'am, would you come with us," Rourke asked. "I can push, you shouldn't work the controls.
"Okay." Maia set both hands back on her stomach. She hated the lack of feeling in her hands. That, mixed with the chair, meant that she could hardly move at all.
They quickly navigated out of her office into the quiet lobby. "Ma'am, has your pain worsened?" Kroft inquired as she came up beside the naval officers.
"I feel numb," she said, ignoring looks from her staff as much as she could. "Like pins and needles, at worst."
"That's good, that's what we would expect." Kroft nodded. "Let me know if you lose feeling beyond the numbness. Let's move her through the maintenance corridor."
Maia didn't believe in a deity, so she had no one in particular to thank. All religions that didn't identify the Force as their source of power were clearly false, but what mattered more to her was what they meant to the people who followed them. Still, she felt immediately relieved at the prospect of not being photographed with her head covered in bacta bandages.
They quickly made their way down the maintenance corridor. "This could be a security threat if we didn't have so many redundant security locks," Maia muttered, looking around. She had only been down this way a handful of times.
"That's why the tunnel can't open into offices unless opened from inside the office," Kroft explained, checking a corner before they advanced onto the landing platform. "Hurry in, the platform is under shield, but that won't protect from holos."
The guards stood one in front, and in back, and one on the exposed side of the platform. Dahn walked between Maia and Rourke, who flanked his sides. Any holos would pick up him more than Maia. When they reached the vehicle, he helped transfer Maia to a seat before the guards could try.
"Thank you," she whispered, finally able to move her legs more comfortably. Dahn followed behind her, walking around to sit by her side. Kroft took the pilot's seat, spinning up the drive.
Rourke smiled at Maia, joining the pair in the carriage, and Wystalin took the passenger seat, shifting to be sure that Maia had adequate space. "More comfortable?"
"I think I'll be most comfortable once I'm truly permitted to start walking again," Maia said.
"Soon." Ryssa encouraged. "Where do you most like to walk?"
"We shouldn't bother her if she wants to rest," Rourke said.
"I'm okay." Maia frowned. "I suppose I don't walk so much even when I am not pregnant. Around our apartment, around the office. To and from. My dad wants me to exercise a lot more than I do. But it's knowing I can, versus knowing I can't."
"I understand." Wystalin nodded. "I tore my ACL, playing Ice Sticks for my high school team. Not knowing and not being able to make the choice are the worst parts." She leaned back. "Did you play sports?"
"Rock climbing, when I was six," Maia said. "Until I was ten. Other than that, dance. Some fencing, horseback riding."
"That sounds like a fun childhood." Rourke smiled encouragingly. "What did you study in school?"
"I have a Ph.D. in anthropology," Maia said.
"She's the smartest woman in the galaxy." Dahn smiled over at his partner.
"Do you have a book?" Rourke asked.
She nodded. "It was my dissertation. It's about animatic affinity and acculturation of the Sith species by the Dark Jedi Exiles after the Hundred Year Darkness."
Wystalin blinked. "The Sith species?"
"Basically, it's about how some human and near-human Jedi left the Jedi Order around 7,000 years ago, and went to the planet Korriban where a species called the Sith lived," Maia said. They could already see her eyes turn excitedly between them as she grew more animated to discuss her research. "They started to occupy that planet, and over a long period, they caused the original species to start dying out, through the speed of disease and mating. And then they started calling themselves Sith Lords."
"A genocide?" Wystalin frowned. "Typical of Jedi."
"They weren't Jedi anymore," Maia said. "But forced assimilation, essentially. What makes it interesting to me is the ways in which the Jedi and now the Sith then went on to polarize and fight through the millennia, despite their shared roots."
"Interesting." Rourke offered. "Is that why the Jedi exterminated the Sith the way they did the Geonosians?"
"I haven't done any work on that, unfortunately," Maia replied. It was sad that academically, they could talk about the reality of such propaganda. The rise of the new government had required such talk to truly become an ivory-tower phenomenon.
"But about this. This was before the Jedi-Sith War a thousand years ago." Wystalin offered. "Right?"
Maia nodded. "Yes. Yes, it was. How much do you know about that?"
"Just that it was taught in school. The aftermath being the Republic."
"Right." Maia was never sure who learned what in regular school.
"And that was when the Jedi genocided the Sith." Rourke added.
"It was a lot of back and forth bloodshed for a long time," Maia said. His obsession with genocide was too odd to focus or remark on.
"Considering the Jedi got to write the histories, it's interesting that the genocide story remains." Wystalin murmured.
Maia nodded. "Historians and anthropologists who are working now are doing some great work. Not me, though."
"Your work is amazing," Dahn disagreed.
"But I haven't done any of it in years," Maia said. "That's what I mean, love."
"You've been able to catch up soon," He said.
"On the literature." She fell quiet, staring out the window.
Dahn cleared his throat. "How long have you two been in the Navy?"
"I served in the Clone Wars," Rourke said. "Out of Carida."
"I was out of Corulag," Wystalin said.
"Republic Navy?" Dahn smiled. "You signed up after the Battle of Geonosis?"
"I was at the academy for the Diplomatic Corps at first," Wystalin said. "I was in my final year of the Police Academy, I transferred to the Corulag Academy the day after Geonosis."
"My brother went to Corulag," Maia said, frowning. "I think you're about the same age, did you know him?"
"I did know him, but I'd be lying if I said we were friends. I never had an opportunity to meet him outside of class."
"Thank you for being honest." Maia held back a sigh, folding her arms, and turned to Dahn. "Have you spoken with Bail again? Does he know what happened?"
"I haven't. Do you want me to call him?" Dahn offered.
"He was going to bring me lunch. Can you message him now?"
Dahn nodded, quickly sending a message. He sent another a moment later. "He wants to bring it to you at home."
"Tell him he can come."
"Honey, you're sure? Why don't we just rest."
"Bail needs to know what happened," Maia said. "If he brings us food, we can eat right away."
"All right." Dahn nodded slowly. "Shouldn't we check the apartment and make sure Senator Organa is cleared before we arrange that?" Rourke offered.
"Bail Organa is clear," Kroft said. "He lives in the building himself, and he and the Prime Minister are close."
"Is that so?" Wystalin blinked. "I'm sorry, I'm forgetting myself." She straightened. "That's excellent, that you have friends on all sides of the Senate. I'm sure it makes you more effective at work as well."
"I lived with Senator Organa for years, when I attended the University of Alderaan," Maia said. "We don't agree on everything. We probably don't agree on most things. But the Emperor and my parents trusted him with keeping me safe when I was sixteen years old, right after the Declaration of the New Order."
"That certainly does bring us confidence," Rourke allowed. "There's a lot of history there, I'm sure you have good reason to trust him."
"He is close with our family," Dahn agreed. "But Maia, are you sure you want him to come?"
"Yes, Dahn, I'm sure. But we need to make sure you have something to eat too. And we should feed the commanders."
"No no," Wystalin held up her hands. "We will probably be on our way around lunch time. Don't bother on our accounts."
"It's lunch time now," Maia said. "Surely, one of you can eat at a time. I understand if you can't both at once, but don't delay your lunches on my accord."
"No, Ry-Commander Wystalin is right. Your men should be back within two hours. We can hold till then."
"I know regulations say you can't eat outside a formal break," Maia said. "You'll switch breaks. I insist. We won't tell, if you insist on that."
"We'll have the kitchen droid prepare whatever you'd like," Dahn said.
Rourke bowed his head. "I relent. Wystalin, why don't you eat first?"
"We won't tell if you don't tell," Maia repeated. "Kroft won't tell either."
"Of course not." Kroft offered.
"If you insist," Commander Wystalin said.
"Thank you," Maia breathed. "Dahn. Will you message him?"
"Done," Dahn chirped a moment later. "Want me to tell him anything else?"
"Tell him what happened," Maia said. Her eyes waned. "I know I haven't told you. Did my father?"
Dahn nodded. "He had a little more information."
"Can we talk about it after we have lunch," she whispered. "Will you just tell him what you know for now?"
"I will. I love you, Maia. He will understand, okay?"
"What is there to not understand? I'm not worried about that."
Dahn typed at his comm and they arrived at the landing pad. "All right. He says he will be half an hour."
Maia nodded, wrapping her arms around Dahn, who, again, helped her into her chair without Rourke's help. In under a minute, they made their way through the access corridor, down the hallway, and into to the apartment, and Kroft opened the door for Maia and the others to walk and float inside.
"If you'll come to the table, I can remove the wrappings." Kroft offered, sitting down so Maia would have the least distance to travel.
"Do you think it's going to hurt," Maia asked, immediately offering Kroft both of her hands.
"It shouldn't. The skin should have healed fully from the bacta. What isn't reconnected will have a protective layer." Kroft started to peel the right hand back, revealing clean, moist skin. "Looks good. Any pain?"
Maia shook her head. She turned her head to the side. The tingling had spread to her palm. "Can I try to hold something?"
"Soon," Kroft said, turning each hand back and front. "No signs of scarring. They'll heal well, I just need you to leave them alone for a little while longer."
"Tomorrow," Maia asked.
"Probably later today, before bed," Kroft offered. "How do you feel now?"
"They don't hurt. My head doesn't hurt either."
"That's great," Dahn encouraged.
Kroft set Maia's hands on her lap. "No lifting. Sir, please do as much for her as you can until I take another look."
Dahn nodded. "Let me bring you some water." He almost jumped to get the glass.
Maia turned to watch him. "I want to go to the bedroom." Still, she covered the controls with one hand.
"Okay," Dahn allowed, moving ahead of her now. "I'll make sure all the doors open. Do you want to be in the bed?"
"I need them closed." She let him help her. "How scared is my mum?"
"She was scared." Dahn offered.
"Can you call her again," Maia asked. "I can't call now, I just can't. Can you call, and can you make sure that Rourke has what he needs," Maia asked. "And if Wystalin knows what she wants to eat, you could start the order. I have time to take a short nap before Bail brings lunch."
"When do you want me to wake you?"
"When Bail comes?" She frowned. "I'm going to take off my makeup."
"Right now?" Dahn glanced to the bathroom and then ran in. He used a breakfast tray to set down the remover and the wipes, carefully mopping the makeup off, and then wiping her skin with one final, dry wipe.
Maia nodded. "Thank you." Kriff their restrictions. Bail had seen her without makeup so many times.
Despite what Maia had said, Rourke strongly considered detaining the asshole. It was difficult to believe that at a time, Wilhuff Tarkin had allowed his daughter to stay with him, but here the man was, and the record did say his presence was permitted. There was little Rourke could do with others present.
Senator Organa turned to Commander Wystalin. "Are you on Maia's detail, now? She hasn't told me of any changes."
"She required additional security. We are augmenting her protection given this morning's assault." Rourke turned halfway, keeping distance been himself and Bail, as Dahn opened the door.
Dahn frowned for a moment and then smiled as his friend offered a handshake.
"Very nice people." Bail nodded to Rourke and Wystalin, and smiled stronger still to Dahn.
"This way." Dahn nodded to both commanders, and showed Bail into the hallway.
"Is Maia all right," Bail asked, leading his own way towards the bedroom.
"She is hurt, but healing," Dahn allowed. "More security than usual to keep her safe." He offered casually, glancing at Bail with purpose.
"Maia?" Bail knocked on her door. "I'm here with lunch."
"Bail, come in." Her response came through the door quieter than he had expected.
Dahn opened the door, holding it for the senior senator. "Maia, do you want more water? We can bring anything at all."
She shook her head, rubbing her eye with her still-numb left hand.
"I'm glad you're able to sit up, that's a good sign, Maia." Bail's voice swelled with relief. "I'm so sorry this happened."
"My parents always say I don't have any real friends who aren't family," she tried, delicately.
"Funny you should say that, I just heard from Gubbal, he is on planet but didn't want to intrude, so he reached out to me."
Maia blinked, straightening out on the bed. "Really? Why is he on planet?"
Bail shrugged. "A non-family friend. But he is taking a continuing education course. And with everything going on, he didn't want to intrude on your life."
"I should call him," Dahn said. "Maybe dinner this weekend."
Maia nodded, folding her arms. "My parents will be here, but we should. Bail, do you know if his wife is here too?"
"She's coming tomorrow morning, he's surprising her with tickets to a final show at the Galaxies Opera House," Bail said.
"That's sweet. We should, Dahn, those conferences are usually through the whole weekend. He's already on Coruscant, Bail?"
"He got in last night." Bail smiled between Maia and Dahn. They needed the distraction. "Why not have tea together?"
"I'd love it," Maia said. "Tea, or dinner. Tea and dinner. Do you know when he has time?"
"He'll make time, Maia."
"Still. Do you know?"
Bail shook his head. "You'll have to ask him."
"Do you want to call him, or should I?" Dahn's smile grew. "Last time we saw him, he destroyed us in Pazaak. Rematch?"
"Maybe." She couldn't restrain her smile. "Let's call him together"
"Have a bite first," Bail encouraged. "I can leave if you like."
"Why would we want that," Maia asked.
"Only offering. I am an old fart."
"I spend most of my time with even older farts," Maia offered.
"Oh, you flatter me." He laughed, tapping the chair's arm. "I'll message him to expect your call." He sent the message alongside a smile reaction to his own words.
Dahn unpacked the sandwiches, and proceeded to hold Maia's still while she ate.
Maia's shoulders relaxed. She didn't know she had been holding so much tension there. She stared at the wall while she ate. "What did he say?"
"That he doesn't want to impose," Bail said. "I told him he wasn't imposing."
"I want to see him. Dahn will call him."
"I can't wait to see him either," Dahn said. "He is so well mannered."
Maia frowned. "That's not why we became friends, Dahn. People don't have to speak like us to be our friends."
"I'm saying he is really nice. I've never seen him talk down to anyone." Dahn clarified, running his hand over Maia's. She felt a dull tingle spread through her fingertips.
"He is a good man," Bail offered. "The public defender's office is lucky."
"We're going to have to tell security that he's coming," Dahn said. "And your father."
"We have to tell security that someone else is coming too," Maia said.
Dahn turned his head to the side. "You mean this weekend?"
"No. Today. Pretty soon," Maia said. "I'll need your help."
"Anything." Dahn reached out to touch the side of the bed.
She peered to Bail, smoothing her ponytail down one shoulder. "Can you give Dahn and I a minute? We have some things to talk about."
Bail stood immediately. "How selfish of me. Of course." In the meantime could take a tour of the library and pick up Dahn's latest recording.
Most of Maia's resting was just that, though she did fit in a small catnap before her alarm woke her. She took the remaining fifteen standard minutes before Sauro's arrival to prepare herself. She set her comm underneath her top-sheet, the function active. It would be good to make some progress prior to enjoying her time with Gubbal.
And then Dahn brought Sano Sauro into the bedroom and left them alone. Maia could see Sauro's smugness hidden behind the concerned grin. He wasted no time in approaching her bedside.
"How are you? I'm so happy you have asked me to come." Sauro set a hand on the bedspread the formed the shield between him and her body.
Today was one of the days when she was happy for all of the training she'd received in concealing her emotions. "We needed to meet. About Bal Fray'la's bill, you said."
"Oh, yes, of course. A much more comfortable meeting place here than your office." Sauro smiled at her, and then winced in real sympathy when he saw how deep the cuts on her head were. "I hear he looks worse. His type has no place with the likes of you and me."
Maia folded her arms. "I'm starting to think you didn't want to talk about the bill at all."
He chuckled. "You see right through me. Or perhaps not entirely. I wanted to praise the initiative of the legislation and also question which exceptions are still allowed."
"We're still working on the language?"
"Well, I've had several worried parties approach me, saying that industries will be destroyed that their planets rely on." Sauro said, sounding sympathetic to the idea.
"My cousin," Maia asked. "The concerns are ridiculous. If the industries can't operate without relying on child labor, they need to be reformed."
"Perhaps so, but in the meantime we should take into account the economic consequences."
"Conan has plenty of time to change his local laws for a more natural evolution."
"It isn't only your cousin." Sauro shook his head. "I'm sure that you'll make appropriate regulations. I trust you to do that." He smiled a bit wider.
"We will," Maia said. "But our priority is the younglings, not Seswenna's perfume industry."
"No question, no question." Sauro nodded. "I agree. And it's so excellent to see someone with such leadership initiative working on the bill."
"I think it's a shame it took so long for someone to do it," Maia said. "And that it had to be a twenty-six year old."
"Well I don't think it's a shame that you're doing so much good." Sauro reached for her hand. "I always like to see you. Thriving."
She pulled her hands to her chest, folding one on top of the other. "What else do we have to talk about?"
"Well, I haven't had a chance to see the inside of your bedroom before. It's quite spacious." He smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Are you comfortable?"
She dropped her shoulders, staring at him. "I'm tired."
"Perhaps I can offer a back rub? Or something even more relaxing?" He smiled warmly down at her, leaning over. "I always like to see you, Maia."
She would let him think he had the upper hand for now. "My fiance will give me a back-rub later."
"It would be a shame to miss out on extra attention." He sat by her bedside. "I know the implications of inviting me here. I. Appreciate seeing such a beautiful girl in such an intimate state."
"You're mistaken," Maia said. "I couldn't have met in my office."
"But you could have cancelled. You could have said now was not a good day."
"I thought you needed to discuss something important."
"I still believe we can be a powerful team." He murmured. "It is important that we know where we stand. We should be partners in our political undertakings. And any other ways."
"I have a partner," Maia said. "I'm getting married. You're married. I've asked you to stop this since I was eighteen years old."
Sano Sauro stopped for a moment, and then shook his head. "Things have changed since then. We are both older. Wiser. Surely you see that? Stay with Dahn if you want. We can be something else."
"I'm older," Maia agreed. "And now, I feel confident enough to tell you to stop."
"Stop what?"
"You just asked me to have an affair with you. You've been asking me since I was eighteen."
"Well, it wasn't too long after Dahn cheated on you." Sauro hummed, reaching again for her hand. "And I didn't ask that unless the answer is yes."
She pulled her comm out from under the blanket, cupping it with both hands to keep it from slipping. The stinging was worth it. "The answer has always been no. You didn't care when I was a teenager, and you don't care now."
A cascade of emotions crossed Sauro's face, his brows and jaw shifting but the one that settled was calm confidence. "This is a misunderstanding. Why don't you hand me the comm?"
"Do you want to hear it all back?"
He shook his head at the prospect, hiding a wince. "Why don't we delete the file and forget this happened?"
She turned her head to the side. "I could do many things with this tape. I could give it to all kinds of people," Maia suggested.
"Let's not be hasty, Maia. You could do a lot of things, but not with no ramifications."
"I could broadcast it on the Holonet without having to consult more than a single person. And, of course, I could have you arrested this minute."
He shifted on his feet. "Be reasonable."
"I think it's time for some ramifications. How many young freshmen senators do you harass after new election cycles?"
"Maia. I am a friendly person. You're a beautiful g-woman."
"I know." She tilted her head to the other side. "Here's what I think—you work for me, now."
"Was that not already the case, Prime Minister?"
"We're going to work to get this bill passed. You'll work with Fema Baab and Bal Fray'la while I'm here on maternity leave." She raised an eyebrow. "Another thing. You're going to personally work to put a stop to what we have to put up with in the Senate. If you hear 'boys being boys,' you're going to tell them to stop. And then, you're going to tell me."
He blanched. "I won't be very popular if I throw my weight behind a crusade to stop locker room talk." Sauro tapped his fingers on the side if his leg. "I'll certainly support the bill."
"You'll do both," Maia said. "You'll do it all. Dahn will be checking in. Thank you, in advance."
"So. You wish me to police the restrooms and gym changing rooms of the Senate? Inform on private conversations."
She smiled. "Any other questions?"
"You're still so young, aren't you? You have some much to learn." He shook his head. "But I'm impressed by your planning." His eyes hid the anger he felt burning there. "Well done."
Maia nodded to the door. "I think we're finished. Dahn might have already listened to the recording, but I'll be sure he understands our arrangement. Open the door?"
"Yes, I think I'll go." Sano Sauro blinked. "When do you expect a first report?"
"Let's call it weekly," Maia said. "I'll let Senator Fray'la know that you will be working with us."
"Perhaps we could keep it more. Discrete?"
"I thought you agreed with the idea," Maia said. "Surely you want people to know you're helping us develop it."
"Ah, yes. I'm more than happy to. I was speaking of the other matter."
"You won't be alone. Surely, you want to be on the right side of both matters, as things start to change. Perhaps after a word with your daughter?"
"I won't be so effective if my. Reporting is known."
"I don't think that's true." Maia folded her arms. "Senators need the same order and discipline they think the rest of the galaxy has benefited from. The Senate is a workplace. Let's make it more efficient."
"It won't be efficient if people shut up when I walk around, Maia."
"The goal is for them to shut up." Maia beared the stinging in her pointer finger as she called Dahn. "Love, will you come back inside?"
"Gladly." Dahn came in, smirking at Sano. "Bit your own ass there, didn't you?"
"We've come to an agreement," Maia said. "You'll be hearing from Mr. Sauro weekly. And when we're both here after the delivery, I suppose we'll hear from him via comm message." Perhaps she would ask Bail to help. He claimed to hate Sano Sauro, but he still managed to work with him after all of these years.
"I think he's ready to go. Is that right, Mr. Sauro," Maia asked.
Sano Sauro nodded, looking between them. He wished he could say something, but if the girl thought she was in a holodrama, he would let her play on.
"I wish I could see you out." Maia shrugged. "As we've established, I'm limited to the bed for now."
"I'm happy to take care of it." Dahn's smile grew. "Come along." He put a hand on Sano Sauro's back to lead him out, and the senator snarled, pulling away.
"Excuse me." Sauro's nose crinkled and his eyes narrowed. "Good day."
Maia archived the recording into a file with his name, and reclined again, carefully touching her hands to the mattress. She could almost feel the fitted sheet like normal.
Kira pressed a hand out, testing her mother's side. Thankfully it wasn't a sharp blow like it was so much of the time.
"The look on his face." Dahn shook his head coming back in. "How are you, Maia, you're all right?"
"I wish it weren't necessary." She frowned. "But I think I feel a lot better."
"I'm terribly glad to hear it." Dahn whispered. "I love you so much, Maia. I can't express how brave that was."
She sighed, settling her head onto the pillow. "He's so disgusting. It scares me, to consider that he may have coerced a lot of girls, not just made them uncomfortable."
"Well, they should be able to report it." Dahn said firmly. "And maybe this will help them feel comfortable reporting. "Why don't I bring some green tea? Or something else nice and warm to drink?"
Maia nodded in assent, drumming on the bed. "One of the herbal teas with ginger. For my stomach."
Dahn kissed the side of her head.
Rourke glared at his comm, shaking the emotion away before his colleague could see it. He tapped his foot impatiently. His charge had just been attacked earlier and there had been a parade of unauthorized or otherwise questionable visitors. If it wasn't bad enough that the man who had left a few minutes before had tried to kill the Emperor, the next guest was practically a commoner. Still, it wasn't his place to question Maia when protocol did allow her to add guests, manipulative social climbers or not.
The taxi speeder pulled outside the landing pad, extending a ramp to the drop off zone. Gubbal wore a perfectly tailored grey suit and tie.
"ID," Rourke demanded, keeping himself from sighing when Dahn came out again, interrupting as he seemed to ever enjoy.
"Gubbal! Hey, that's him, Rourke. Maia is expecting you, man, how have you been?" As he spoke, Dahn advanced to the other young man. "Good flight over?"
"It was quick." Gubbal smiled, pumping Dahn's hand in return. "Should I show my ID?"
"It is protocol," Wystalin said. "Especially following this morning."
"I understand," Gubbal said, and displayed his cylinders for scanning. "How is she," he asked Dahn. "Or you'll tell me when we're in private?"
"We will chat inside. I'm sure everything is order?" Dahn raised an eyebrow at Rourke. He had a feeling that these officers wouldn't have prevented this morning's events.
"Yes," Wystalin said. "Thank you, sirs."
"I understand, Dahn," Gubbal repeated, smiling on behalf of all of the others. "Most of all, Maia needs to be safe."
"Of course, of course." Dahn nodded, smiling. "Let's head in, Gubbal, Maia is waiting."
"Thank you."
"She's okay," Dahn said, once they were out of earshot. "She still has a bacta bandage over the worst of it."
Gubbal winced. "It was so hard to concentrate. The doctors say that she'll be all right? Obviously they treated her quickly."
"Coren is still detained. They said she gave him a hell of a beating."
"Maia always was very fit. She once accidentally socked me right in the mouth, I couldn't talk all day." Gubbal laughed at the memory. "It was all in fun, I surprised her. But Coren. I don't want to bother her with questions, but I want to know what happened."
Dahn sighed. "She'll be okay. She's in a fighting mood."
"That's good. She always was a fighter. But later. I guess later. I want her mind on happier things." Gubbal smiled. "You're lucky Dahn, so is she."
"And so are you and Rachie," Dahn said. He led Gubbal into their bedroom.
Maia tried to come down from the bed. "Hi!"
"Oh, don't worry about moving. I'm coming!" Gubbal laughed, settling by her side. "It's so, so good to see you."
"Quiet down and give me a hug." Maia lay back, extending her arms.
He was careful not to put any pressure on her stomach or head. "How have you been besides all this?" His brow furrowed. "I know it must be hard."
"She'll be out soon," Maia said. "I wish it were sooner, but we're so close."
"It's true these next months will simply fly by." Gubbal's smile took on a hint of sadness. "At least that's what I've heard."
"You'll know soon enough." She squeezed his arm, and then let go. "Have you considered discussing adoption with Bail?"
"I have, actually. It just never seems to be the right time." He shrugged. "Rachie and I have talked about it."
"You'll have to come play with our daughter in the meantime," Dahn said.
"We would both love that. Perhaps we can even babysit!" His smile was back in force. "I'm so happy for you both."
"Thank you."
Maia didn't need to turn to Dahn for him to clear his throat.
"I'll give you two some space. Intercept Wilhuff," Dahn said.
"Thank you." Maia bit her lip for a half-instant while her eyes met Dahn's. He winked, standing to leave.
"So, is it my place to ask about names?" Gubbal enthused
Maia turned her head to the side, smiling back to her fiancé. "What do you think?"
"May I?" He smiled wider. "It could be after your grandmother, Lenessa?"
"Nooo." Dahn laughed. "You can tell him. But more ridiculous guesses first."
Maia threw a decorative pillow at Dahn's face. "Bye."
"Careful!" Her fiance jumped to the side just in time.
"Get out." She settled back, smiling at her ex-boyfriend once they were alone. "We're naming her Kira. Kira Adelaide."
"Kira." Gubbal smirked. "I remember your stories. Wanting to name your children after obscure force-sensitives. They're letting you?"
"They're starting to let me do a lot if I put up enough of a fight," Maia said.
"That shouldn't be such good news, but it really is." Gubbal's smile settled wistfully. It wasn't so long ago that Maia had felt more a pawn than anything else. "And it really is a beautiful name."
"Thank you. Adelaide was Grandmother Lenessa's mother. You weren't far-off when you guessed family names."
"Well, I'm flattered. Kira Adelaide Tarkin-Pryscott. I assume. But briefly, Maia. Kele. He needs to know that it was your proactive effort that did him in."
She nodded, slowly. "I had him arrested."
"He deserved it. Make sure he knows it was your endeavor."
"I should have paid closer attention." Maia shook her head. "He was so rude to you. Always. I should have known."
"I don't blame you. Not for any of it.
Maia nodded. "I'll be seeing him soon. I'll tell you what happens."
"Thank you." His smile grew again. "You're going to speak your mind. That's always made you feel better." His comm beeped and he winced. "I'm sorry that my visit is so short, but I'm so glad we did this."
"Can you bring my chair there?" She pointed to the wall it rested against, and transferred herself once he'd moved it beside her bed. "Will you be okay seeing my dad?"
"Of course." His smile faltered, but he nodded more assuredly a moment later. "I'm ready when you are. Are you coming out with us?"
She nodded, gesturing to the hoverchair. "Just come with me." They found Dahn and her father in the sitting room. Despite her moment's concern, her father stood, blank as ever. If Gubbal were in trouble, they would already have known.
"Sweetheart. Gubbal, good to see you. I can see Maia appreciated the visit."
"I did, father." Maia smiled from her chair. "I insisted he come when I heard he was on planet."
"Good to see you sir." Gubbal nodded. "I was very upset to hear that she had been attacked today. Not as much as you or Dahn I'm sure."
"Of course," Dahn said. "We're happy you came. I'll reach out to you tomorrow to schedule this weekend."
"Gubbal." Maia gestured him closer for a hug. She couldn't feel her father's stare, but she closed her eyes anyway. And then Gubbal pulled back, and said his goodbyes before Dahn showed him out. Wilhuff stood too-close to the door, watching the younger man go.
"It's good to see you haven't been alone today." Her father paused, watching her for half a second. "How often do you keep in touch with university friends?"
She shrugged. "Apparently, I've stayed in better touch with the fake friends than the real ones."
Dahn held back an exhale and smiled. "Your father and I were discussing our plans for this week." Dahn said.
Maia blinked, folding her arms. "What do you mean, what plans?"
"Don't worry about that." Wilhuff sat beside her. "Are you tired?"
She shook her head. Her meetings since this morning had left her energized, rather than drained. Luckily, her father was pleased, convinced that she simply wanted to move past the pain and shock of what had been happening.
"Well good, then we can have a nice dinner and relax." He encouraged. "So. They said you fractured his skull."
"I told him to stop. He wouldn't."
"I'm glad you still have such strong arms. Have you been following your gym routine? You must be."
"It's exhausting. And not good for Kira, probably."
"It's an approved routine." Wilhuff's smile grew again, his chest swelling with pride. "Soon Kira will be strong too, like her mum."
"You stand up for yourself," Dahn said. "It's been a whirlwind. It's been hard. Think about all of it. Think about this afternoon."
Wilhuff raised an eyebrow. "I hope you've had time to rest. I thought this incident was in the morning?"
"Maia's been strong all day." Dahn helped Maia back into her chair. "Should we call Thalassa?"
Wilhuff shook his head. "We'll speak with her soon, she is finishing up one of her planning meetings."
"I could leave you to finish your own planning," Maia said. "Take some time in the bedroom."
"Are you tired? I can't blame you, the stress of the situation plus your pregnancy. You have to take care of yourself, Maia." Wilhuff's brow furrowed. "Rest."
"You two want some time to talk anyway."
Wilhuff shook his head. "Talking with you is more important, but if you're going to rest, then it is a good time to discuss schedules."
"I'm not upset, dad."
"Let me take you to the bedroom."
"I've got it." She rolled to his side. He didn't hesitate to kneel, pulling her in for a hug.
"I love you." Dahn safe.
"I love you more than anything, Maia," Wilhuff said. "Don't forget that. I'm proud of you for getting through today safe, despite the cuts."
Maia nodded against her father's head, waiting for him to end the hug, which already lingered longer than she was used to with him. He finally pulled away a moment later. "You're certain you don't want me to take you?"
After a second refusal, Maia gave her father and husband a smile before rolling herself to her room. She hoped they would be too focused on their own planning to stop hers.
She was seated when security led him inside. The room was well lit, and he could see every crease on her face, but he couldn't read her. Everything was blank. She didn't stand. All she did was catch his eyes, and trail him to his seat.
"Maia, I am so glad you came. I honestly didn't think you would. Thank you so much." He leaned forward, energy cuffs keeping him to the table.
Still, she didn't say anything. He dropped his shoulders, turning his head to the side. Only then did he see the bandage on her forehead. "What happened?"
Maia shrugged. "I fought of my most recent attacker." She stared at him further.
"Who?" He exhaled, shaking his head. "Are my girls okay?"
Maia folded her hands, eyes fixed on him. She tapped her fingers on her hand a moment later.
"Are my girls okay," Kele asked again. "Maia, please."
"I don't punish people for their father's crimes." Maia frowned. "And I've asked my father not to. But I can't speak for him."
"Maia, please. You know me, let's talk about what. Happened."
"About how you attacked me while I was drunk? And lonely? While I was at one of my lowest points?" Maia narrowed her eyes. "And then you spent the next decade pretending to be a friend."
"I am your friend. I don't know who told you what."
"Do friends bug their friends' bedrooms?"
Kele frowned, tilting his head and furrowing both brows. "What?"
"You know what I'm talking about, Kele. So will your parents."
"No, Maia, I swear to you. This is all a mistake."
"What is," Maia asked. "Explain it to me."
"Whatever it is, I would. I wouldn't hurt you, Maia." Kele's face fell. "I don't know why you believe that."
She stared at him. Nothing had changed since he came inside. "I'm not putting up with your shit anymore."
"And why is that? You assume I'm making shit up." Suddenly, he smiled, the transformation on his face slower than his voice. "What evidence do you have for. Anything, much less what you just accused me of?"
She leaned forward, arms flat along the table. "Do you think I'm stupid? Maybe you always have."
"Of course not." He waved the comment aside. "What do you even remember? Nothing. You have no memory of any of it, do you?"
"Who else did you assault? I'll find them, don't worry. I don't need any rape kit to keep you in prison."
"Who else has your father assaulted? Is this supposed to distract the galaxy from his crimes? What does he hope arresting me will accomplish?"
She caught his eyes again, and she actually laughed. "You think it was him? It was me."
Kele blinked, leaning back in his seat. "Excuse me? Maia, what have I ever done to you?
"You raped me," she shouted. "Or you tried." She started to count with her fingers. "You bugged Gubbal's room. And you illegally recorded us having sex. And you leaked it. No one else knew that part yet." Her eyes turned up to the cameras and microphones. "Oops."
He narrowed his eyes. "Who gave you that idea? No evidence for any of that. Because it's not true." He snorted. "I expected better from such a smart little girl."
"It was you, Kele. And your parents. I'm not stupid."
"Because I've said you were beautiful? Because I've bantered with your fiancé? He never tried to stop me."
"This is about you."
"No, it's about you." Kele shook his head. "You want control. I get it. But I didn't rape anyone."
She turned her head to the side in-time with his words. "I think we both know I'll find that's a lie."
"Maia. Listen." Kele frowned. "You have no evidence against me. Do you. Is the power going to your head?
"Who should I call first? Your ex-girlfriend's, maybe. Considering how many people were willing to confirm you assaulted me, it won't be hard to get a list of names."
"Maia. Please." His eyes waned. "I don't like seeing you like this."
"You thought I needed to be brought down a few pegs when I was sixteen years old. You still think that."
"Not at all. I would never want to bring you down! I liked you. I thought you made a regrettable dating decision. But I never wanted to bring you down. Not like Dahn, cheating on you? And does he never demand what you don't want to give?"
"No. And he didn't cheat on me. And he didn't assault me when I was sixteen year old. Or create and distribute child pornography."
"Neither did I, Maia. What are you talking about?"
"You did, Kele. You did. And you want to spend this time. What? Trying to get into my head." She smiled, biting her lip. "Can't you see that won't happen?"
"Maia, If I ever hurt you, I'm so sorry, but come off it now. I didn't do anything to hurt you."
"Come on, Maia, do you really believe that?" He scoffed. "Are you so easily fooled by Imperial Intelligence? They're clearly running a PSYOP."
"With my fiancé?" She felt herself close to another yell, and did what she could to bring her voice down. "With Dahn? With everyone else who told me you kissed me and touched me when I was so drunk I couldn't remember what day it was?"
"Maia, why is it coming up now with the shift of the inquisitors? They must have implanted the memories, or tricked him. Has he been away from home without you knowing? All I'm asking is why now?"
"Because you decided to hug me without permission. You brought everything back."
"No. No I didn't, Maia. Dahn talked about you like you were meat. Not me. I'm not the one shouting here, you are. And I'm not the one who is making false accusations." He raised his eyebrow in another failed attempt to hide his worry as her comm began to ring.
"I'm not shouting." She covered her comm with both hands. "I know what you say about me. Dahn told me everything. And I know you threatened Gubbal all those years ago. In addition to everything else you did to him."
"Maia," he shook his head. "You're falling for what they're doing."
"Shut up," she snapped, jumping to her feet, despite the pain the motion generated in her legs. "Just shut your mouth and really, really consider it you want to apologize for what you've done to me. If you feel bad, even a little bit. Because you're going to die no matter what, Kele. You tried to rape me. You did, now apologize!"
His eyes widened. "Maia. Wait. Wait." Kele swallowed. "I thought you said that was. That you had me arrested."
"I did. I did, Kele. Not Imperial Intelligence. Not my father. Me."
"But." He swallowed again. "Maia, you won't have me. Killed? I have two baby girls. And a wife. They need me."
"I am so far from guiltable, Kele. So kriffing far."
The door opened, and two naval officers walked to her side. "Ma'am," the first one started. Please come with us."
"Kele," she called again, staying on her feet. If she sat, they could easily propel her chair. "You have nothing to say?"
"Maia. W-wait. Just one minute." He swallowed hard as the second naval officer pinned his head to the desk.
"Shut up." The officer snapped.
"No," Maia said. "No, I want to hear from him. I want to hear what he has to say, I want him to kriffing apologize. Tell me what you did, Kele."
"I'm sorry!" Kele shouted from beneath the officer's arm. "I hurt you, I know and. Kriff. I can't. I can't breathe!"
"Stop it," Maia moved around the table. "Let go. Let go of him."
The other guard followed behind her. "Ma'am. It's time to leave."
"No, I'm not going anywhere."
Kele shuddered, gasping for breath. "M-M-"
"Let go of him," she repeated. "Now."
"Ma'am, he is dangerous," The first officer retorted. "Please come with us, now."
The officer choking kele lifted slightly, and the prisoner gasped for breath.
"I was sixteen years old." She flattened both hands to the table again, and looked away from Kele for only a second. "I thought you were my friend."
"I. I was jealous. Y-you were perfect." His eyes filled with tears and his chest heaved with a heavy sob. "D-don't hurt my girls. P-please."
"I'm not going to hurt your daughters." She folded her arms, taking in a deep breath, and shook her head. "Did you bug Gubbal's room?"
"I d-didn't. But I got. I got the recording I'm sorry!" Kele's tears flowed freely now. "Y-yes. I. No, yes, I put it there. I recorded you. I. I broadcast it. I kriff. I. I kriffing did it all! I did it, I'm sorry!"
Maia nodded, and turned back for her chair. "Kriff you." She sat herself in the chair. She couldn't leave the space quickly enough.
"I'm sorry!" He sobbed again, crying into his arms as the guards left. "Maia, please!"
"You deserve to die." She wasn't yelling anymore. She let the door close them and sat straight in the chair, as if nothing had happened.
The first officer moved in front of her. "Ma'am. You said you were approved for a visit."
"Whose authorization do I need?"
One of the naval officers swallowed while the other straightened. The first bowed his head for a moment before refocusing up. "Your father requests an immediate call."
"I'm on my way home. Where is my security team?"
"They're in the outer facility. I'll escort you to them." The first officer saluted.
"They don't know that you stormed into the room," she asked. "Why aren't they here?"
"It wasn't necessary to inform them." The second guard responded. "It will be in the report and we can allow them to read the public version."
"I'll tell them what happened," she said, simply. "I'm sure you'll be most useful if you inform my father that I've left the room. And that Kele confessed."
"He will know, the holo record was sent to him." The first guard explained, leading the way out into the outer office. "Mr. Speikre, I release Maia Tarkin into your care."
Maia turned to stare at the naval officer. "Pardon?"
"New protocol, Ma'am." He saluted, turned and retreated as fast as decorum allowed.
"Ma'am, what happened?" Kroft frowned heavily. "You're agitated, may I check your vitals?"
"Of course I'm agitated." What had they expected when they obeyed her request to visit a prison? "I would like to go home, please."
"Yes, ma'am." Speikre nodded quickly. "The speeder is waiting." He lead the way ahead of her chair, silent until they arrived.